Transit-oriented development (TOD) in Saudi Arabia is becoming a significant priority for the government and developers to create a sustainable and quality living environment. TOD is an integrated transport and urban planning method that aims to reduce car use and urban sprawl, increase the use of public transport, and enhance sustainable mobility. To meet the global goals as per the Paris Accord, Saudi Arabia’s policymakers must prioritize the integration of TOD in urban planning. This study was carried out with the main aim of identifying the environmental, social, and economic benefits of implementing TOD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A mixed-study research method was used, and data were collected using a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, and qualitative data were analyzed using NVivo software. The findings of this study show that TOD in Riyadh City would positively impact economic, environmental, and social aspects. TOD would reduce travel time, allow its people to have an active lifestyle, and reduce congestion. TOD would help reduce mental health disorders and improve physical activity. TOD would positively impact the environment of Riyadh City and assist in reducing greenhouse gases. Overall, the study results provide a reliable perspective on the benefits of TOD. Most participants assumed that the implementation of TOD in Riyadh City would increase automobile mobility, provide more employment opportunities, and reduce travel time, positively impacting the environment and economy of Riyadh City.

More than 59 million people reside in the six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia). The rate of urbanization is more than 80% in each of these countries. To better understand the trends and knowledge structures and to aid policy design and implementation, more research is needed on the topic of urbanization in GCC countries. In order to address this knowledge gap, bibliometric analysis and scientific mapping procedures utilizing VOSviewer were employed. A total of 415 academic papers covering four decades, from 1980 to 2021, were collected from the Web of Science database and split into three time periods: 1980–2017, 2018–2019, and 2020–2021. The findings indicate that the topics related to sustainable development, environmental regulations, renewable energy, and smart cities have received the most attention. In addition, land use planning, urban growth, and energy consumption have been dominant themes over different periods. Several intertwined factors have contributed to the evolution of research over these periods. These include the widespread diffusion of the sustainability agenda, the rise of advanced ICT, and the escalating rate of urbanization. It can also be explained by the fact that the world has been grappling with numerous environmental challenges, increasingly requiring innovative solutions for sustainability. The findings of this study can be used to develop better strategies for sustainable urban development in the region.

An urban revolution has brought a qualitative change related to the globalization of technologies and the economy. This, in turn, leads to changes in the city’s “human face”. Riyadh is the capital city of Saudi Arabia, which has been impacted by rapid population growth. The significant urban expansion negatively impacted various human characteristics as streets became more devoted to transportation than urban space. Various efforts have been made to re-establish the human aspects of streets by creating built environments and urban spaces. This study aims to determine the physical street features that impact Riyadh city streets’ livability. The study also determines people’s perception of the physical quality of Riyadh’s city streets. An exploratory sequential mixed research method has been adopted. Two separate qualitative and quantitative research approaches have been used to answer the research questions. Through a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews, the physical aspects of the case study street were assessed, and physical issues were identified. The finding of this study showed that physical issues such as scarce planting, lack of services for disabled people, traffic congestion, inadequate seating, and inadequate canopies and shelter are deteriorating the Riyadh city street livability. Responding to these physical problems will require measures to be built in municipalities to make Saudi cities more livable. The first practical measure is the provision of facilities such as seating and street furniture, adequate parking spaces, adequate shelter, and services for disabled people. The second is improving the quality of existing facilities, such as planting and landscaping. Lastly, traffic congestion can be controlled by changing Tahlia Street to a transit street that allows only public transport. Overall, the findings of this study will help planners and decision-makers create a livable environment within the framework of the re-humanization of the cities. A collaborative system to support the rehumanization of urban spaces should be adopted by encouraging smart design and improving the open spaces functions to fulfil the community need through a participative method, including the involvement of citizens.