Investigating the Impact of Saudi QoL Program on Neighbourhoods’ Public Spaces: Riyadh neighbourhoods

Abstract

“Humanization of Neighborhoods Initiative” was launched in 2020, under the QoL program aiming at improving and adapting public spaces in the city of Riyadh into pedestrian-friendly ones and fewer cars' dependent which can help accomplish the Saudi Vision 2030. This research aims at investigating the reflections of the QoL program on the urban and social life in Riyadh neighborhoods focusing on the streets to promote social activities and walkability into a prime physical activity in neighborhoods.The research follows mixed methods; a qualitative approach is in the literature review and quantitative analysis in the research survey. It provides recommendations for city planners for developing pedestrian infrastructure. Keywords: Saudi Vision 2030, Quality of Life, QoL, Public Space, walkability, community design, Placemaking eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6i18.3024