Analyzing the role of urban design strategies on the pedestrian movement system (PMS) for hajj pilgrims : a case study of urban pathway between Arafah and Muzdalifah, Makkah

Abstract

This research addresses the critical challenges surrounding crowd management and pedestrian movement during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, the largest scheduled mass gathering globally. Following the tragic 2015 "crush and stampede" incident, which claimed numerous lives, there is an urgent need to develop effective strategies to mitigate overcrowding and enhance safety. The Hajj pilgrimage attracts millions of Muslims each year, creating immense pressure on infrastructure and resulting in overcrowding, bottlenecks, and, tragically, fatal incidents. Despite initiatives by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (MOMRA), challenges persist due to the lack of clear guidelines for public open spaces and the absence of comprehensive crowd management plans. This study aims to develop a comprehensive framework for crowd control during the Hajj pilgrimage, focusing on improving pedestrian movement and reducing fatalities. By leveraging multidisciplinary approaches, including urban planning, public health, and emergency management, the objective is to ensure a safe and secure pilgrimage experience aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining literature review, on-field observation, video recordings, pedestrian counts, and simulation modeling. Field observations capture real-time crowd behavior and movement patterns, supplemented by video recordings to enrich understanding. Pedestrian counts quantify foot traffic, while simulation models assess the impact of urban design interventions on crowd dynamics. The study identifies key challenges in pedestrian movement, such as bottlenecks and congestion points, and proposes urban design strategies and crowd management principles to address them. Simulation analysis validates the effectiveness of these strategies, leading to the development of a comprehensive framework for optimising pedestrian movement and crowd management during the pilgrimage. This research contributes valuable insights to the fields of urban design and crowd management, offering practical solutions to enhance safety and efficiency during large-scale events like the Hajj pilgrimage. Recommendations for policymakers and urban planners are provided, with a focus on continuous improvement and future research directions.

Keywords: Urban Design Strategies, Crowd Management, Pedestrian Movement, Hajj Pilgrimage, Saudi Vision 2030.