Analysis of the spatial effects of religious tourism on urban settlements (Case study: Najaf city)

Abstract:

Religious tourism is one of the oldest and most dynamic forms of tourism in the world. The city of Najaf Ashraf, as one of the most important pilgrimage centers in the Islamic world, attracts millions of pilgrims from various countries annually. This process has significantly influenced the spatial structure and settlement patterns of the city. The present study aims to examine the spatial effects of religious tourism on the urban settlement structure of Najaf Ashraf. Religious tourism, particularly the massive influx of Arbaeen pilgrims, has acted as a powerful spatial driving force, fundamentally transforming spatial distribution patterns, neighborhood functions, access to urban services, and residential sustainability. The research employed a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 400 respondents (residents and pilgrims). Qualitative data were gathered via 22 semi-structured interviews with local managers, urban planning experts, and key informants, supplemented by systematic field observations in central and peripheral areas. The quantitative results revealed that the spatial distribution of impacts follows a radial convergence pattern (confirming the second hypothesis). The intensity of transformations increases significantly with proximity to the Holy Shrine (p < 0.001). Key findings include the high concentration of religious-commercial activities in the immediate vicinity of the Shrine (mean = 4.32), vertical densification (mean = 4.12), unbalanced horizontal expansion in peripheral areas (mean = 3.98), and the functional transformation of neighborhoods from residential to service-commercial uses (mean = 4.05, p < 0.001). Access to urban services during peak pilgrimage periods has decreased dramatically (mean = 2.18, p < 0.001), showing a strong negative correlation with distance from the Shrine (r = -0.59). Spatial conflicts (mean = 4.19, p < 0.001) and the gradual displacement of low-income residents from the central fabric (mean = 4.38, p < 0.001) were also statistically significant. Thematic analysis of qualitative data identified five core themes: intense commercialization and functional transformation of the central core, residential displacement and eviction of traditional inhabitants, spatial volatility and service instability, spatial conflicts and public space occupation, and the need for spatial balance. The findings indicate a serious threat to the sustainability of Najaf’s urban settlements and the risk of transforming the city into a purely pilgrimage-commercial space.