Sustainable urban growth from up and down? Saudi Arabia's Urban Infrastructure Revolution

Abstract

This study explores Saudi Arabia's Sustainable Urban Growth, focusing on the synergy between top-down government initiatives and bottom-up community engagement in the Urban Infrastructure Revolution. It lacked environmental assessment policies and strategies and had been managed through a centralized structure. There were little environmental references in urban planning papers. As a result, Saudi cities' rankings for environmental sustainability are poor. The paper analyzes key aspects such as policy formulation, community participation, technology integration, and challenges faced. By presenting case studies, it highlights the harmonious blend of top-down and bottom-up approaches as a model for achieving resilient, eco- friendly, and inclusive urban development, contributing valuable insights to the global discourse on sustainable urban growth. The study indicates that in order to provide appropriate, sustainable, institutionalized urban government, a framework of laws and administrative procedures coupled with strategic environmental assessment (SEA) must be put into place. The results may provide guidance to individuals functioning in comparable political environments, particularly in developing nations