Analyzing The Economic Base of The City of Samarra Using Some Regional Methods

Urban economic studies of cities occupy a prominent position within the fields of human geography, and interest in this area has increased due to the diversity of economic activities carried out by cities. Therefore, the city's need for this type of study represents a central focus for interpreting urban growth in cities. The problem, therefore, lies in the lack of comprehensive economic studies that illustrate the urban economic reality, both in terms of specialization and diversity, in most cities and regions, including Samarra. This paper aims to identify the economic base of Samarra, taking the city's municipal boundaries as a framework and defining them with official statistical data. It then applies mathematical equations to this area, with the aim of employing such studies in applied urban planning. To understand the economic foundation of Samarra, an analytical approach supported by some statistical methods was used, through which the economic foundation of the city was analyzed, relying on the hypothetical method and the location quotient (LQ) method. The study concluded that the economic foundation ratio of the city amounted to (1.4), which means that each basic job opportunity creates four non-basic job opportunities. The results of the location quotient (LQ) for the year (2023) also showed that the drivers of economic growth in Samarra are industrial, commercial, and educational activities, as the location advantage was greater than one (1<LQ). Other sectors enjoyed by Samarra can also be supported, such as the agricultural sector, in addition to supporting the religious and archaeological tourism sector, as the increased spending by visitors and tourists on holy religious sites plays an increasing role in stimulating the city's local economy. The study recommends the necessity of developing a development plan for the city according to its geographical capabilities to strengthen and diversify its economic foundation, which will positively reflect on the city's urban growth and development.