The Phenomenon of Informal Construction in Southern Libya: Analysis of the Problem and Proposed Solutions - Sabha City as a Case Study

Abstract

The 20th century witnessed radical economic transformations that led to the decline of the traditional agricultural sector as a result of technological advancements and agricultural mechanization, causing the neglect of rural areas and mass population migration toward urban centers. These dynamics resulted in an imbalance in economic systems and population densities between regions, producing unregulated urban growth known as informal settlements---deteriorated neighborhoods lacking basic infrastructure and exposing their residents to interconnected health, environmental, and social risks. The area of informal growth in the city of Sabha reached 3,400.67 hectares (25.3% of the area of second-generation master plans), with an acute housing deficit (1.6 families per dwelling in 2006), and the proliferation of clusters such as Al-Tayouri district (41.79 hectares, 1,600 housing units relying on informal connections).