الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
Abstract
Cities have been recently considered as complex systems evolving and changing according to local rules demonstrating chaotic behavior. Thus, Urban forms and patterns need multiple and complementary analysis in order to permit basic level of comprehension of their dynamics. In this respect, the fractal approach has been recently adopted in the interpretation of physical and morphological aspects related to space-time analysis concerning the growth and space filling of urban areas. The transformation of the city is not just a passive result of global socio-economic changes. The institutional and political structure, the social structure and the historical pattern of urban structure affects the pattern of contemporary growth. Considering policy to be the most influential factor as it represents the main driving force of urban growth on the macro scale. While process indicates dynamics of urban growth, behavior represents the actions of the actors involved and actors indicate the agents of behavior. The actors, represented in individuals, households, business developers, farmers, landowners, planners and governments, make decisions and choices concerning their social and economic activities according to their spatial location and temporal scheduling leading to change in urban land use and urban pattern. Their behavior, translated into actions, refer to the decision making. In this respect, this thesis aims at carrying out an analysis of the morphology of urban patterns and dynamics of urban growth in the Eastern area of metropolitan Alexandria in years 1959, 1984, and 2014, using a fractal-based approach. Then it proceeds with an analytical comparative process to assess the degree to which the observed growth patterns correspond to these policies over these periods of time. The comparison and evaluation of results proves the usefulness of applying this approach in achieving a more efficient simulation of urban growth dynamics in the Egyptian urban context. Moreover, it assists in identifying certain areas requiring planning and policy regulation.