Spatial knowledge acquisition in GPS vs. non-GPS navigation: A case study of Madinaty City, Egypt

The widespread use of GPS applications has significantly enhanced urban navigation. However, their impact on cognitive perception and recall of urban features is increasingly questioned. This study explores the effectiveness of GPS-based navigation versus direct wayfinding (non-GPS) in acquiring spatial knowledge. The theoretical part reviews the fundamental concepts and key findings of previous studies, while the case study presents an experimental investigation conducted in Madinaty city in Egypt. Thirty-six participants were divided into two groups: GPS and non-GPS. Each participant navigated seven paths to locate five specific destinations. The results showed that GPS users demonstrated lower path recognition and weaker landmark identification compared to those who navigated without technological assistance. These findings suggest that reliance on GPS may impede the development of spatial and landmark knowledge, as users tend to focus on the prescribed GPS route rather than engaging with real-world urban features.