Saudi Research Compares Urban Design in Jeddah, Yanbu

Why this is here: The research highlights a lack of existing studies on design governance and its influence on urban space quality in Saudi Arabia, despite substantial urbanization programs.

Khalid Bazughayfan completed a PhD thesis at the University of Liverpool examining urban design processes in Saudi Arabia. The research compares waterfront developments in Jeddah and Yanbu, analyzing how decision-making and governance affect public space quality. It identifies a gap in research regarding design governance and its impact on urban spaces within the country.

The study evaluated Jeddah’s centralized planning system against Yanbu’s independent system, noting each city’s strengths and weaknesses in relation to Saudi Vision 2030. Bazughayfan used design governance and planning culture theories, collecting data via interviews, document review, and field observations.

Findings show Jeddah’s flexible model can create inconsistency while Yanbu’s prescriptive approach limits adaptability. The research suggests integrating elements of both systems to improve urban design governance, though further study is needed to fully address the complexities of rapid urbanization.