Commuting Challenges in a Mega-Center: A Case Study of Mobility in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Riyadh

Abstract

Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia at the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, has transformed rapidly over recent decades from a small Najd oasis settlement into a metropolis of more than eight million residents organized around a polycentric urban structure. Central to this transformation are major hubs such as the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), one of the Kingdom's densest and most advanced developments. However, rapid urban sprawl and continued reliance on private vehicles have generated severe traffic pressures and connectivity challenges between urban cores and peripheral areas. Despite its transit-oriented vision and major metro interchange, KAFD experiences daily congestion and mobility bottlenecks that affect employees and visitors alike. This study examines commuting patterns and congestion perceptions at KAFD, focusing on the structural relationship between concentrated employment in the center and dispersed residential locations across the Riyadh metropolitan area. Using a descriptive-analytical case study approach, the research is based on a structured survey of 51 employees and employs descriptive statistics and correlation analysis to assess travel behavior, parking management, shuttle performance, pedestrian quality, and metro integration. The findings reveal a polarized mobility experience: while 64.7% of respondents expressed high satisfaction with the pedestrian environment, 35.3% reported heavy congestion when exiting KAFD, and 33.3% experienced excessive exit delays. Strong correlations between congestion, long exit times, poor parking coordination, and ineffective management (r up to 0.75) indicate that congestion is not merely a capacity problem but a systemic outcome of employment centralization and peripheral residential dispersion. Furthermore, the strong negative relationship between shuttle efficiency and congestion (r = –0.65) underscores the role of last-mile systems in alleviating pressure. The study contributes theoretically by reframing mobility justice through a center–periphery lens and, practically, by proposing a three-layer conceptual framework linking spatial structure, operational management, and user experience to guide future Riyadh mega-projects, such as New Murabba and Expo 2030.