COMPARATIVE CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF URBAN DESIGN PROCESSES IN TWO PLANNING SYSTEMS IN SAUDI ARABIA: CASE STUDIES OF THE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT IN JEDDAH AND YANBU

Bazughayfan, Khalid (2025) COMPARATIVE CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF URBAN DESIGN PROCESSES IN TWO PLANNING SYSTEMS IN SAUDI ARABIA: CASE STUDIES OF THE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT IN JEDDAH AND YANBU PhD thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

This research critically examines the urban design processes within two distinct planning systems in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the waterfront developments in Jeddah and Yanbu. It explores how decision-making environments, governance mechanisms, and the roles of various actors influence the quality of urban public spaces. Despite substantial urbanisation driven by development programs, research on design governance and the influence of the design process on urban space quality in Saudi Arabia remains limited. This gap necessitates a deeper understanding of how governance frameworks shape urban design outcomes and their alignment with national developmental objectives. Employing a comparative framework and a case study approach, the study evaluates the centralised, dependent planning system of Jeddah and the independent system of Yanbu, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in delivering high-quality urban design aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and related development programs. Using theories of design governance and planning culture, this dissertation develops a conceptual framework focused on design principles, tools, mechanisms, and actor interactions in urban development. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews, document analysis, and field observations, revealing systemic disparities in governance approaches. Findings reveal that while Jeddah’s flexibility-driven planning model often leads to inconsistency, Yanbu’s prescriptive model provides stability but lacks adaptability. This analysis underscores the need for an integrated approach that combines the strengths of both systems to enhance the effectiveness of urban design governance. The study contributes valuable insights into the local and global discourse on urban planning by providing lessons on aligning governance frameworks with sustainable urban development goals, particularly in rapidly urbanizing contexts.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences > School of the Arts
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	05 Feb 2026 16:01
Last Modified:	10 Feb 2026 10:16
DOI:	10.17638/03194716
Supervisors:	Chen, Fei ORCID: 0000-0001-8168-507X Chow, David
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3194716
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