Master’s Degree Awarded to Ms. Faten Ahmed Al-Yahya in Geography and Geoinformatics

Ms. Faten Ahmed Hizam Al-Yahya was awarded a Master’s degree in the major of Urban Planning for her thesis titled, “The Geographical Determinants of Urban Planning: An Applied Study in the Capital Secretariat (Sana’a),” which was submitted to the Department of Geography and Geoinformatics, Faculty of Arts and Humanities – Sana’a University. The defense was held on Sunday, November 9, 2025.

The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Post-Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:

#	Committee Members	Designation	University	Position
1	Prof. Mohammed Abdulaziz Saad Yusr	Internal examiner	Sana’a University	Chair
2	Prof. Nabila Ali Ahmed Al-Suneini	External Examiner	Amran University	Member
3	Dr. Mohammed Nasser Qasim Al-Bakri	Main supervisor	Amran University	Member

The study aimed to:

Address urban problems and regulate urban development.
Establish geographical urban data as planning criteria, controls, and spatial determinants to rationalize city development.

Among the study’s notable findings were:

The urban expansion in the Western Highlands of Yemen, especially Sana’a, is significantly influenced by natural factors.
Population growth, migration, and weak adherence to urban planning led to spontaneous expansion and pressure on public services.
Sana’a experienced vast urban sprawl, resulting in the erosion of agricultural lands and their conversion into residential neighborhoods.

The study concluded with several key recommendations, including:

The necessity of focusing on publishing Yemen’s scientific heritage and facilitating its accessibility to researchers.
Utilizing geographical expertise in urban studies and engaging geographers in various aspects of planning.
Preserving the civilizational heritage of Old City of Sana’a, maintaining its religious, architectural, and cultural character.

The study was examined and recommended by the MA Viva-Voce Committee for acceptance and approval. The defense was attended by a number of academics, researchers, students, and interested individuals, in addition to the candidate’s colleagues and family members.