USING DIGITAL TOOLS FOR MONITORING AND ANALYSING SPATIAL VARIATIONS OF POPULATION DISTRIBUTION IN THE CITY OF AL-MADINAH AL-MUNAWARAH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, 2004-2020

Abstract

This article combines demographic and spatial data to investigate and analyse spatial variations in population distribution in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Drawing on multiple data sources, it applies a straightforward rationalisation-based methodology based on combining demographic indicators with spatial data using geographic information systems and remote sensing. The findings show that Al-Madinah’s population was estimated at 1,500,000 people in 2020; the Lorenz curve and the Gini ratio reveal that the population is unevenly distributed geographically since 95% of the population lives in 18% of the city’s total area. The central area is densely populated: about half of the population lives within a 5-kilometre radius. Location quotient values reflect variations between concentrations of Saudis and non-Saudis. Due to the expansion of the city’s built-up area, net population density fell from 46 to 32 p/ha between 2004 and 2020; Saudis are more mobile than non-Saudis as their mean centres recently shifted 1,337 and 665 meters south, respectively. The study concluded that Al-Madinah’s residents, especially Saudis, are gradually moving from the central business district to the periphery.