Rapid Urbanization and Sustainability in Saudi Arabia: The Case of Dammam Metropolitan Area

Abstract

<p>Rapid urbanization is a characterizing feature of urban change in Saudi Arabia, especially in its large metropolitan areas such as Riyadh, Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA), Jeddah and Makkah. Such rapid urbanization has created many urban problems that contradict with the principles of sustainability.</p>The paper argues that "Urban Sustainability" is a necessary policy in the case of DMA, and tries to define the needed approaches and actions to implement such policy in the region. In doing so, the paper starts by highlighting the rapid rate of urbanization in the Saudi Arabia in general; and in DMA in particular. Then, the paper presents an analysis of the unsustainable urbanization practices and problems in DMA. The paper then presents a literature review about sustainable urbanization approaches and requirements, focusing on developing countries. Finally, the paper recommends the necessary approaches and actions to achieve the proposed "Urban Sustainability" policy in DMA.