Impacts of Urban Growth Policy on Loss of Identity in Expanding Saudi Cities: A Case Study of Buraydah

Abstract

Saudi cities are experiencing rapid urban growth affecting their identity, which was acquired over a long history. In the early twentieth century, new urban planning practices in Saudi Arabian cities were characterized by numerous trends and surrounded by multiple challenges, these trends, and challenges are social, and economical including regional planning, placemaking, sustainable urban development, and urban governance. All these trends and challenges have brought traditional Saudi cities into a world that is transforming quickly. These challenges have caused a significant shift in regional cultures over the past few decades, which has prompted planners and designers to prioritize the concept of identity. So, it is important to know how these challenges and policies are impacting the identity of Saudi cities. This research tries to investigate the processes and factors driving swift urbanization, emphasizing the primary causes and impacts of urban growth policy, disruption of the environment, and alteration of city layout. This research also examines how the structures of growing Saudi cities' have been impacted by urbanization and sprawl in general and Buraydah city in particular, as Buraydah is one of those cities that have experienced ambitious urban development policies and expansion in the last few decades. A qualitative approach is employed to explore how can a city achieve distinguishability and represent itself on the global stage. To assess the current scenario of the research area, substantial fieldwork including several site visits, municipal archives, and field surveys was conducted as a part of the practical aspect. The findings indicate that the process of urbanization didn't start with adequate planning for expanding Saudi cities. These cities have gone through radical urban expansion policies, without considering the historic urban pattern, causing the loss of identity.