Examining the sustainable impact of urban expansion and urban expansion policies on archaeological sites: evidence from Jordan and Saudi Arabia

Abstract This research aims to explore the effect of urban expansion on archaeological sites, particularly those located within the urban fabric. The researcher will present maps of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Amman in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 2004 to 2018, highlighting the changes in urban expansion policies and their impact on these archaeological sites. Moreover, this study takes into account the concept of sustainability in urban expansion. Some studies have reported that populations will be more concentrated in urban areas and that cities will continue to grow (Min et al., 2019). As a result of this rapid urban growth, there is a pressing need to consider the sustainability of these developments, including their impact on archaeological sites. By examining the positive and negative changes in archaeological sites surrounded by the urban fabric, this research seeks to identify the main reasons behind these changes. Furthermore, this study will propose suggestions for improving policies and procedures in these cities regarding the preservation of archaeological sites, with a focus on sustainability.