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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the nature of gated communities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) focusing on the experiences of residents from different gated communities in the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA). It seeks to assess the socio-economic background of such communities and find out why people choose to live in gated communities and their perceptions of such housing patterns. Design/methodology/approach The questionnaire survey technique was used in this study to achieve the main purpose. The study used the triangulation method, which includes both qualitative and quantitative techniques as the most appropriate approach to be adopted. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis, while statistical analysis was performed to analyze quantitative data. Findings The findings of the study highlight that although gated communities are physically closed by walls and gates, it is distinguished by good social relations not only among their residents but even with the external surroundings, which makes these communities more attractive. Of course, this contrasts to some extent with the prevailing thinking that such communities live in a state of social isolation. Research limitations/implications The ideas of people who live outside gated communities are very important, however, it was not explored in this study due to time limitations. So, future research could focus on citizens’ perceptions of this type of urban settlement. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study assessing the nature of gated communities in KSA by focusing on the experiences of residents of different gated communities in DMA. Only a few studies have been done in this regard, so this research paper was conducted to bridge this research gap and build upon the literature.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the housing delivery in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and to discuss the most significant government regulations and financial support that have been applied since the beginning of this century and especially during the past ten years, which constituted a qualitative leap in the housing sector in the country. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the desktop study technique was used to review the key related literature, collect the data and analyze secondary data. This study used a mixed approach involving (1) literature search and review, (2) analysis of literature public documents and databases and (3) expert discussions. The content analysis technique was followed for data analysis of gathered documents and secondary data. This study used the three-step iterative process during the use of the content analysis technique. Findings The findings reveal that the demand for housing will continue to increase in the coming years with increase in population. The housing supply should not only match the demand but also should develop according to the social and economic characteristics of the population. Besides, the authorities have to both streamline and reinforce regulations pertaining to construction permits and building licenses. Nonetheless, the regulators are suggested to remain vigilant about potential fiscal and financial risks as the housing market develops. Research limitations/implications The opinions of policymakers and stakeholders are very important, but because of the time limitation it has not been explicitly addressed. Instead, discussions with select experts were carried out to validate the findings. Future research can assess the housing delivery based on the viewpoints of the policymakers, professionals, academics and stakeholders to have better insights and broaden the boundaries of knowledge in this field. Originality/value Similar studies in this field are limited, which makes this paper one of the pioneering attempts to study the current housing situation in the KSA and shed light on the most significant government regulations and financial support for housing delivery in the country.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the trajectories of the urbanization process in Saudi Arabia in its regional context from the unification of the country by King Abdul Aziz Al Saud in 1932 to the present time, and the urbanization impact on the status and management of cultural heritage in the Kingdom.Design/methodology/approachOur study design integrated a well-articulated theoretical frame of sustainability to gain a heuristical understanding of urbanization in Saudi Arabia, and its link to cultural heritage. The methodological approach was mixed in nature involving (1) literature search and review, (2) analysis of public documents and databases, (3) analysis of photographs and (4) expert interviews.FindingsOne of the most obvious findings reached in this study is that there is considerable trade-off between heritage site conservation, population and economic demand for increased urbanization. Hence, with increasing urbanization pressures, the value of the heritage site may be rethought based on Saudi Arabia's economic and cultural conservation perspectives.Research limitations/implicationsSince our data are mostly of textual narrative in origin, precise predictions were difficult or impossible for many reasons such as non-linearity, and non-equilibrium dynamics, context and scale dependence as well as the historical exigency of urbanization. However, the same theoretical framework can be applied to appropriate longitudinal/ time series data for predictive analyses, which can be taken up as a future research agenda.Originality/valueThis paper analyzes the urbanization process and sustainability challenges of cultural heritage sites employing a mixed methodological approach, embedded in a holistic theoretical framework of sustainability.

This paper presents and illustrates planned urban projects in the Al-Baha region with the potential to contribute to developing a sustainable local environment and economy in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 national vision and future needs. Al-Baha is characterized by a wealth of renewable energy, a cooler environment relative to many other Saudi regions, as well as multiple heritage villages and wildlife habitats set amid mountainous topography. The approach used here is the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), which employs an expert consultation analysis to identify the best future projects for the Al-Baha region. About 52 experts were invited, each selected according to specific criteria to include decision-makers, developers, and academics in the fields of the built environment, engineering, and investment. The findings of the study are evaluated and culminate in suggestions for future projects in the tourism; renewable energy; agriculture and farming; health and education; and wildlife and forest protection sectors. It has been found that the most important future projects are those related to the tourism and agricultural and farming sectors. The other projects proposed are unique to the Al-Baha region due to its location and traditions. The study concludes with key recommendations for developers and decision-makers.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the people’s perceptions of sustainable housing in Saudi Arabia using Riyadh as a case study. Riyadh was chosen as a case study for two reasons: it is the capital city of Saudi Arabia and the largest city in the country; and there are no major differences between the characteristics of people in Riyadh and other major Saudi cities. Design/methodology/approach The questionnaire survey technique was used in this study to achieve the main purpose. The study used descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) with the aid of the Statistical Package of Social Science Software (SPSS) to analyze the data. Findings The findings reveal that there is a lack of people’s awareness about the sustainable housing. However, it shows a positive response regarding people’s willingness to live in sustainable housing in the future as well as to adjust their current houses to be more environmentally friendly houses. Research limitations/implications The thoughts of stakeholders who are involved in the housing field, including policymakers and real estate developers, are very significant, however, due to the time limitation it has not been explored in this study. Therefore, future research is recommended to investigate the opinions of different stakeholders to have better insights for delivering sustainable housing. Originality/value The study contributes to exploring the people’s perceptions of sustainable housing in Saudi Arabia using Riyadh as a case study. Only a few studies have discussed this issue, so this study was conducted to bridge this research gap and build upon the literature.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the housing delivery within the Saudi Vision 2030 through an in-depth reading of the Saudi Vision 2030 from the researcher’s point of view and to identify the most significant aspects that may affect housing delivery in the country. Design/methodology/approach In this study, the desktop study technique was followed to review the key related literature, collect the data and analyze secondary data. The content analysis technique was used for data analysis of gathered documents and secondary data. Findings The findings reveal that there are several commitments in the Saudi Vision 2030 from the Saudi Government to be an exemplary leading nation in all aspects, including the delivery of affordable housing. Housing shortage, housing cost, demographic changes and land scarcity are identified as significant reasons for the lack of providing affordable housing. Research limitations/implications The opinions of policymakers is very important, but due to time limitation, it has not been addressed. Future research can assess the Saudi Vision 2030 based on the study of the policymakers, professionals and academics to have better insights. Originality/value The paper contributes to discussing the housing delivery within the Saudi Vision 2030 and identifying the most significant aspects that may affect the housing delivery from the researcher’s point of view. Only a few studies have discussed the housing issues within the Saudi Vision 2030.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the obstacles to the availability of suitable housing units for various socioeconomic segments of society with an emphasis on single-family homes, which is the most preferred housing type in the Saudi society.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the aim of this paper, the Delphi method was used to explore the experts’ opinions on the most important obstacles.FindingsThe findings of the study underline 17 different obstacles affecting the availability of suitable housing units for various segments of the Saudi society. The most critical obstacle is the high cost of land followed by the low income of the families, high cost of construction, high interest rate of mortgages and shortage of suitable residential lands.Originality/valueThe study concludes with a number of proposed recommendations that can contribute to address the current shortage of suitable housing units.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to formulate a number of housing policies to address these two issues and meet the needs of Saudi families, in accordance with their social and economic characteristics. Design/methodology/approach The paper first provides a review of the housing policies in Saudi Arabia, highlights some of the global experiences in the field of housing and reviews the best lessons learned from those experiences. Then, the paper analyses the reality of the housing sector in Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) and discusses the most important results reached. Findings Finally, and based on the main findings, the paper puts forward a set of policies and actions recommended to improve housing sector in DMA. Originality/value The paper analyses the reality of the housing in DMA.

Among alternative tillage practices, conservation tillage (CT) is a prominent greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation strategy advocated in wheat cultivation, largely because of its low energy consumption and minimum soil disturbance during cultural operations. This paper examines the agricultural production and GHG emission trade-off of CT vis-à-vis traditional tillage (TT) on wheat farms of Bangladesh. Using a directional distance function approach, the maximum reduction in GHG emissions was searched for within all available tillage technology options, while increasing wheat production as much as possible. The underlying institutional, technical, and other socio-economic factors determining the efficient use of CT were analyzed using a fractional regression model. The average meta-efficiency score for permanent bed planting (PBP) and strip tillage (ST) was 0.89, while that achieved using power tiller operated seeders (PTOS) is 0.87. This indicates that with the given input sets, there is potential to reduce GHG emissions by about 11% for ST and PTOS; that potential is 13% for farmers using PTOS. The largest share of TT farmers cultivate wheat at lower meta-efficiency levels (0.65-0.70) compared to that observed with farmers practicing CT (0.75-0.80). Fractional regression model estimates indicate that an optimal, timely dose of fertilizers with a balanced dose of nutrients is required to reduce GHG emissions. To develop climate smart sustainable intensification strategies in wheat cultivation, it is important to educate farmers on efficient input management and CT together. Agricultural development programs should focus on addressing heterogeneities in nutrient management in addition to tillage options within CT.

Disaster risk reduction is an increasingly important policy issue, especially in developing countries that suffer most of the global human and economic losses associated with disasters. Indeed, public awareness and attitudes can help in disaster risk reduction and management efforts toward reducing mortality and economic losses. In Saudi Arabia, many cities have been recently experiencing incidences of disasters, such as floods, disease epidemics, and sandstorms. However, studies on public perception of disaster risk in the country are few and nascent. Therefore, based on a questionnaire survey (n = 683), this paper explores public perception and attitudes to disaster risks in Dammam, a coastal metropolis in Saudi Arabia. The findings indicate that although almost two-thirds (64.7%) of the participants are aware of disasters, and 81% are concerned about disaster risks, less than half (47.3%) believe that their settlements could be at risk. While 37% opine that disasters are caused by both natural factors and human activities, about half (54%) indicate that they can personally contribute to reducing disaster risks. Chi-square analysis indicates a significant positive relationship between place of residence and perception of disaster risks (χ2 (6) = 56.18, p

The purpose of this study is to shed light on the importance of sustainable urban planning development for communities and give a comprehensive review of key issues in terms of underpinning concepts, principles and challenges. The study will focus on a number of aspects related to the built environment, neighbourhoods and services, including the infrastructure, and public transport. Moreover, it aims to critically evaluate the most common and established frameworks of sustainable urban communities. Limitations of these frameworks are discussed, including regional variations. These are factored in a new approach for sustainable communities. The contribution of this research is to propose a scalable framework for an effective sustainable urban planning development for communities that address the gaps and the limitations of the existing models. This takes into account the core issues of urban communities including environmental, social, economic and planning perspectives.