Unlocking Walkability in Car-Oriented Cities: Assessing Built Environment Features Affecting Walkability in Riyadh's Neighborhoods

Abstract

Enhancing walkability in urban settings, particularly in regions characterized by hot, arid climates and car-oriented development patterns, is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor in elevating the quality of urban environments. Despite historical underemphasis in urban planning discourse, the imperative of pedestrian-friendly spaces is garnering heightened attention due to its intrinsic link to urban sustainability.

This manuscript endeavors to synthesize existing literature on walkability within urban contexts, explicitly focusing on extrapolating these insights to the urban context of Riyadh's residential neighborhoods, Saudi Arabia, a domain where previous studies underscored deficiencies in pedestrian infrastructure and a prevalent dependence on automobiles for travel behavior.

This study aims to highlight the efficacy of the Humanization of Cities Initiative, a strategic directive outlined within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, by defining the urban features that determine walkability and pedestrian behaviors in residential neighborhoods. The study highlights the enhancements to walkability within the Al-Falah district, selected as the pilot community for this initiative.

Through a comprehensive analysis, including the outcomes of the Humanization of Cities Initiative and insights gleaned from previous studies, this research seeks to develop a robust conceptual model for advancing walkability standards and propose recommendations to improve pedestrian friendliness within Riyadh's urban context.