A Study of the urban dynamics of the city of Kenitra and its implications through the lens of remote sensing and survey data, Morocco

Lemkimel Zahra; Benssi Hamid; Slim Mostafa

doi:10.31893/multiscience.2025424

Keywords:

Abstract

Kenitra is a Moroccan city undergoing profound transformations in its urban structure, population, and economic activities. These transformations, which can be classified under the term "urban dynamics," are the result of a number of internal and external factors, most notably the rapid urban expansion that the city is experiencing. This study aims to analyze the spatial and temporal changes that have occurred in the urban fabric of Kenitra over the past few decades, utilizing remote sensing techniques and the analysis of aerial and satellite imagery, in addition to collecting survey data from various sources. The results of this research showed that the urban expansion of the city of Kenitra has positive effects such as providing essential services that serve the interests of citizens, the emergence of new residential areas, and the spread of vertical housing, along with the disappearance of informal housing and shantytowns in the city through the provision of housing units in vulnerable areas, as well as the emergence of new industrial units and commercial and tourist shops. On the other hand, it has negative effects represented by expansion at the expense of agricultural areas and some wetland areas such as the Merja of Fouarat and the Maamora forest, in addition to some environmental impacts. The same results also confirmed that the city is experiencing significant expansion in the southwestern area of the city (Bir Rami area). Researchers recommended the necessity of comprehensive urban planning that takes into account environmental preservation and improving the quality of life for citizens while achieving sustainable development, through rational consumption of natural resources and encouraging investment in renewable energies.
References
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11. El Adnani, A., Habib, A., & Zourarah, B. (2019). Spatio-temporal dynamics and evolution of land use land cover using remote sensing and GIS in Sebou Estuary, Morocco. Journal of Geographic Information System, 11(5), 551-566.
12. El Idrissi, Y., Mabrouki, J., Baghdad, B., El Belghiti, M. A., El Azzouzi, M., El Hasini, S., ... & El Azzouzi, E. (2024). The Study of Peri-Urban Soil Contamination in the Kenitra Region, Morocco--Characterization and Assessment Using a Statistical Approach. Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology (EEET), 25(4).
13. EL Khazzani, D. (2024). Changement structurel et création d’emploi au Maroc. Revue Française d'Economie et de Gestion, 5(9).
14. Ghachoui, E., Taouil, H., Naser, R. S., & Said, I. A. (2024). Spatial assessment of groundwater quality for drinking In Souk El Arbaa, Morocco. Water Supply, 24(4), 1267-1281.
15. Hakkou, M., Maanan, M., Belrhaba, T., El Ouai, D., & Benmohammadi, A. (2018). Multi-decadal assessment of shoreline changes using geospatial tools and automatic computation in Kenitra coast, Morocco. Ocean & Coastal Management, 163, 232-239.
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22. Liu, X., Xu, H., & Zhang, M. (2024). The effects of urban expansion on carbon emissions: Based on the spatial interaction and transmission mechanism. Journal of Cleaner Production, 434, 140019.
23. Mounir, E. C., Batchi, M., Chabada, M., Said, E. C., Arouiya, T., & Ouilji, M. (2022). Essai de modélisation cartographique de l'étalement urbain à l’aide du modèle de Markov « Cas de la ville de kénitra ». Territoires, Environnement et Développement (TED), 1(1), 13-26.
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25. Nasraoui, R., & Benzidiya, K. (2024). The Impact of Industrial Activities on the Land Surface Temperature (LST) in the Urban Environment of the City of Kenitra (Morocco). In Climate Change Effects and Sustainability Needs: The Case of Morocco (pp. 163-180). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
26. Nasraoui, R., & Benzidiya, K. (2024). The Impact of Industrial Activities on the Land Surface Temperature (LST) in the Urban Environment of the City of Kenitra (Morocco). In Climate Change Effects and Sustainability Needs: The Case of Morocco (pp. 163-180). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
27. Nejmi, E. H. (2023). Villes et régions au Maroc, une mise à l’épreuve de l’aménagement du territoire. Espace Géographique et Société Marocaine, 1(72).
28. Salem, M., & Tsurusaki, N. (2024). Impacts of Rapid Urban Expansion on Peri-Urban Landscapes in the Global South: Insights from Landscape Metrics in Greater Cairo. Sustainability, 16(6), 2316.
29. Slim, M., Hafsa, O., & Fadli, M. (2023). Biodiversity of aquatic Heteroptera in relation to physico-chemical parameters, the Biological Reserve of Sidi Boughaba and the Merja of Fouarat as a case studies (Gharb Plain, Morocco). Acta Zoológica Lilloana, 67(2), 473–488.
30. Slim, M., Zouaki, N., Ouattar, H., Mansouri, D., Hajar, H., Challi, D, Mohamed, F. (2021). Some Physical and Chemical Conditions Affecting the Distribution of Aquatic Beetles: Lake of Sidi Boughaba as a Case Study (Kénitra, Morocco). Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries, 25(4).
31. Tahtah, H., & Tachicart, R. (2022). Investment budgetary expenditures on equipment and transport and economic growth in Morocco. In 2022 14th International Colloquium of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LOGISTIQUA) (pp. 1-5). IEEE.
32. Valette, E., & Philifert, P. (2014). L’agriculture urbaine : un impensé des politiques publiques marocaines ? Géocarrefour, 89(89/1-2), 75-83.
33. Wu, D., Zheng, L., Wang, Y., Gong, J., Li, J., & Chen, Q. (2024). Characteristics of urban expansion in megacities and its impact on water-related ecosystem services: A comparative study of Chengdu and Wuhan, China. Ecological Indicators, 158, 111322.
34. Zahnoun, A. A., & AL Karkouri, J. (2024). Contribution à l’analyse des mutations socio-économique dans les montagnes du Rif marocain. Territoires, Environnement et Développement (TED), 3(1), 110-127.
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36. Zahra, L., & Thami, D. (2024). Impact of urban dynamics and climate change on forest areas the Maamora forest in the city of Kenitra, Morocco. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 6(7), 2024123-2024123.
37. Zollet, S., & Qu, M. (2024). Revitalising rural areas through counterurbanisation: Community-oriented policies for the settlement of urban newcomers. Habitat International, 145, 103022.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Zahra, L., Hamid, B., & Mostafa, S. (2025). A Study of the urban dynamics of the city of Kenitra and its implications through the lens of remote sensing and survey data, Morocco. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(9), 2025424. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2025424

[1] Aghad, M., Manaouch, M., Sadiki, M., Pham, Q. B., & Al Karkouri, J. (2024). Integrating fuzzy-AHP and GIS for solid waste disposal site selection in Kenitra province, NW Morocco. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 196(6), 537.

[2] Aliaâ, H., Kassou, N., Kacimi, I., Morarech, M., & Omari, K. (2017, November). Using the SLEUTH Model to Evaluated and Analyze the Impact of Urban Sprawl on Agricultural Land in the cities of Kenitra and Mehdia (MOROCCO). In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computing and Wireless Communication Systems (pp. 1-7).

[3] Aliaâ, H., Kassou, N., Kacimi, I., Morarech, M., & Omari, K. (2017, November). Using the SLEUTH Model to Evaluated and Analyze the Impact of Urban Sprawl on Agricultural Land in the cities of Kenitra and Mehdia (Morocco). In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computing and Wireless Communication Systems (pp. 1-7).

[4] Ateilah, R., & Mansouri, Z. (2023). Le marketing territorial et l’attractivité des IDE région Kenitra secteur automobile. International Journal of Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Management and Economics, 4(6-1), 848-864.

[5] Bounoua, L., Lachkham, M. A., Ed-Dahmany, N., Lagmiri, S., Bahi, H., Messouli, M., ... & Thome, K. J. (2024). Urban Sustainability Development in Morocco, a Review. Urban Science, 8(2), 28.

[6] Bounoua, L., Lachkham, M. A., Ed-Dahmany, N., Lagmiri, S., Bahi, H., Messouli, M., ... & Thome, K. J. (2024). Urban Sustainability Development in Morocco, a Review. Urban Science, 8(2), 28.

[7] Bounoua, L., Lachkham, M. A., Ed-Dahmany, N., Lagmiri, S., Bahi, H., Messouli, M., ... & Thome, K. J. (2024). Urban Sustainability Development in Morocco, a Review. Urban Science, 8(2), 28.

[8] Chen, M., Huang, X., Cheng, J., Tang, Z., & Huang, G. (2023). Urbanization and vulnerable employment: Empirical evidence from 163 countries in 1991–2019. Cities, 135, 104208.

[9] De Haas, H. (2007). Morocco's migration experience: A transitional Perspective1. International Migration, 45(4), 39-70.

[10] Echerbaoui, I., El Malki, I. C., Ahami, A. O. T., Mottier, C., & Wallon, P. (2017). Professional stress factor of vulnerability in which has occurred of the road traffic accidents at a sample of drivers in Morocco. Open Journal of Medical Psychology, 6(4), 213-227.

[11] El Adnani, A., Habib, A., & Zourarah, B. (2019). Spatio-temporal dynamics and evolution of land use land cover using remote sensing and GIS in Sebou Estuary, Morocco. Journal of Geographic Information System, 11(5), 551-566.

[12] El Idrissi, Y., Mabrouki, J., Baghdad, B., El Belghiti, M. A., El Azzouzi, M., El Hasini, S., ... & El Azzouzi, E. (2024). The Study of Peri-Urban Soil Contamination in the Kenitra Region, Morocco--Characterization and Assessment Using a Statistical Approach. Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology (EEET), 25(4).

[13] EL Khazzani, D. (2024). Changement structurel et création d’emploi au Maroc. Revue Française d'Economie et de Gestion, 5(9).

[14] Ghachoui, E., Taouil, H., Naser, R. S., & Said, I. A. (2024). Spatial assessment of groundwater quality for drinking In Souk El Arbaa, Morocco. Water Supply, 24(4), 1267-1281.

[15] Hakkou, M., Maanan, M., Belrhaba, T., El Ouai, D., & Benmohammadi, A. (2018). Multi-decadal assessment of shoreline changes using geospatial tools and automatic computation in Kenitra coast, Morocco. Ocean & Coastal Management, 163, 232-239.

[16] Holding D’amenagement Al Omrane. (2006). Etude D’impact Du Projet De Recasement Des Bidonvilles De Oulad M’barek Dans La Ville De Kenitra (tranche 2).

[17] Humbal, A., Chaudhary, N., & Pathak, B. (2023). Urbanization trends, climate change, and environmental sustainability. In Climate Change and Urban Environment Sustainability (pp. 151-166). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.

[18] Javed, A., Cheng, Q., Peng, H., Altan, O., Li, Y., Ara, I., ... & Saleem, N. (2021). Review of spectral indices for urban remote sensing. Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, 87(7), 513-524.

[19] Jelti, F., & Saadani, R. (2024). Energy efficiency analysis of heavy goods vehicles in road transportation: The case of Morocco. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 17, 101260.

[20] Karimi, M., & M’hamdi, A. (2023). Approche socio-anthropologique de la transition des ménages vers le logement social formel-Cas du grand Kenitra. Territoires, Environnement et Développement (TED), 2(2), 13-30.

[21] Krasilnikova, N. (2024). Re-thinking the role of municipalities in mobility transitions: Co-working spaces in suburban and rural areas as a “new normal”. Cities, 145, 104672.

[22] Liu, X., Xu, H., & Zhang, M. (2024). The effects of urban expansion on carbon emissions: Based on the spatial interaction and transmission mechanism. Journal of Cleaner Production, 434, 140019.

[23] Mounir, E. C., Batchi, M., Chabada, M., Said, E. C., Arouiya, T., & Ouilji, M. (2022). Essai de modélisation cartographique de l'étalement urbain à l’aide du modèle de Markov « Cas de la ville de kénitra ». Territoires, Environnement et Développement (TED), 1(1), 13-26.

[24] Mous, F. A., & Berriane, Y. (2016). Droit à la terre et lutte pour l'égalité au Maroc: Le mouvement des soulaliyates. Contester le droit. Communautés, familles et héritage au Maroc, 87-173.

[25] Nasraoui, R., & Benzidiya, K. (2024). The Impact of Industrial Activities on the Land Surface Temperature (LST) in the Urban Environment of the City of Kenitra (Morocco). In Climate Change Effects and Sustainability Needs: The Case of Morocco (pp. 163-180). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

[26] Nasraoui, R., & Benzidiya, K. (2024). The Impact of Industrial Activities on the Land Surface Temperature (LST) in the Urban Environment of the City of Kenitra (Morocco). In Climate Change Effects and Sustainability Needs: The Case of Morocco (pp. 163-180). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

[27] Nejmi, E. H. (2023). Villes et régions au Maroc, une mise à l’épreuve de l’aménagement du territoire. Espace Géographique et Société Marocaine, 1(72).

[28] Salem, M., & Tsurusaki, N. (2024). Impacts of Rapid Urban Expansion on Peri-Urban Landscapes in the Global South: Insights from Landscape Metrics in Greater Cairo. Sustainability, 16(6), 2316.

[29] Slim, M., Hafsa, O., & Fadli, M. (2023). Biodiversity of aquatic Heteroptera in relation to physico-chemical parameters, the Biological Reserve of Sidi Boughaba and the Merja of Fouarat as a case studies (Gharb Plain, Morocco). Acta Zoológica Lilloana, 67(2), 473–488.

[30] Slim, M., Zouaki, N., Ouattar, H., Mansouri, D., Hajar, H., Challi, D, Mohamed, F. (2021). Some Physical and Chemical Conditions Affecting the Distribution of Aquatic Beetles: Lake of Sidi Boughaba as a Case Study (Kénitra, Morocco). Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries, 25(4).

[31] Tahtah, H., & Tachicart, R. (2022). Investment budgetary expenditures on equipment and transport and economic growth in Morocco. In 2022 14th International Colloquium of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LOGISTIQUA) (pp. 1-5). IEEE.

[32] Valette, E., & Philifert, P. (2014). L’agriculture urbaine : un impensé des politiques publiques marocaines ? Géocarrefour, 89(89/1-2), 75-83.

[33] Wu, D., Zheng, L., Wang, Y., Gong, J., Li, J., & Chen, Q. (2024). Characteristics of urban expansion in megacities and its impact on water-related ecosystem services: A comparative study of Chengdu and Wuhan, China. Ecological Indicators, 158, 111322.

[34] Zahnoun, A. A., & AL Karkouri, J. (2024). Contribution à l’analyse des mutations socio-économique dans les montagnes du Rif marocain. Territoires, Environnement et Développement (TED), 3(1), 110-127.

[35] Zahra, E. F., Slim, M., & Thami, D. (2025). Between nature and community: Local perceptions of local residents on the degradation of the Maâmora forest, Morocco. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(1), 2025038-2025038.

[36] Zahra, L., & Thami, D. (2024). Impact of urban dynamics and climate change on forest areas the Maamora forest in the city of Kenitra, Morocco. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 6(7), 2024123-2024123.

[37] Zollet, S., & Qu, M. (2024). Revitalising rural areas through counterurbanisation: Community-oriented policies for the settlement of urban newcomers. Habitat International, 145, 103022.

Abstract

References

How to cite