The impact of land-use planning, “zoning,” on rural-urban sprawl

Industrial growth and a lack of effective zoning regulations decreased environmental sustainability and spacing between rural and urban areas in Lebanon’s Chweir Ain Al Hanout region. This study defined the relationship between unregulated industrial development and environmental loss and how zoning failures lead to spatial conflicts and urban sprawl in Chweir. A qualitative case study design was used, and 22 semi-structured interviews with municipal officials, planners, NGO representatives, and some long-term residents were conducted. Thematic analysis indicated seven main themes, namely: 1) Environmental Degradation, 2) Inconsistent land use, 3) Health and Safety, 4) Social Displacement, 5) Lack of planning and zoning Incoherence, 6) Industrial and Residential Functions Overlap, 7) Use of Emerging Technologies. Findings indicated failures that occurred during the governance of land. It suggests immediate regulatory changes, zoning enforcement, and planning with innovative sensor-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The results will help gain better knowledge concerning land-use conflicts in peri-urban settings. This study provided a scope of understanding concerning the sustainable development of cities in developing countries. Interviews with technology developers and local governments should be conducted to establish how to fulfil the technological capacity-regulatory reform gap.