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:

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.

A video from the Viva-Voce