Spatial Analysis of Public Services (Schools and Kindergartens) in Nablus City Using the Tool of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

This thesis aims basically at studying the existing public services (schools and kindergartens) in Nablus City in terms of their capability, distribution and suitability for the urban expansion and population growth in the city. The thesis includes a comprehensive survey of all schools and kindergartens in the city in order to provide a data base of these services, in addition to data about the number of students, teachers and the architectural characteristics of the buildings and their services. Also, the level of satisfaction about such public services was measured through the results of the questionnaire distributed to a random sample of students. The methodology of the study was based mainly on the descriptive and analytical research methods by using the tool of Geographic Information Systems and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) as well as using certain geographic models like neighboring link and effect zone. The results of the study indicated the existence of randomness in the distribution of schools and kindergartens in Nablus City due to the absence of proper planning and reference to planning regulations. In addition, the study showed the lack of efficiency and capability of such services. The study recommended the necessity of identifying local planning regulations for public services in Nablus City in particular and in other Palestinian cities in general. Also, it emphasized the necessity of establishing a spatial planning department at the Ministry of Education responsible for the distribution and planning of educational services as well as applying the planning regulations according to the population growth and geographic features of the settlements. Finally, the study has recommended the establishment of a spatial database of educational services in the Palestinian Territories.