Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the key responsibilities of city administrators and one of the effective proxies for good governance. Effective SWM mitigates adverse health and environmental impacts, conserves resources, and improves the livability of cities. However, unsustainable SWM practices, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and financial and institutional limitations, negatively impact public health and environmental sustainability. This review article assesses the human and environmental health impacts of SWM practices in the Global South cities that are the future of global urbanization. The study employs desktop research methodology based on in-depth analysis of secondary data and literature, including official documents and published articles. It finds that the commonplace SWM practices include mixing household and commercial garbage with hazardous waste during storage and handling. While waste storage is largely in old or poorly managed facilities such as storage containers, the transportation system is often deficient and informal. The disposal methods are predominantly via uncontrolled dumping, open-air incinerators, and landfills. The negative impacts of such practices include air and water pollution, land degradation, emissions of methane and hazardous leachate, and climate change. These impacts impose significant environmental and public health costs on residents with marginalized social groups mostly affected. The paper concludes with recommendations for mitigating the public and environmental health risks associated with the existing SWM practices in the Global South.

Coastal reclamation for residential, tourism, and commercial developments in the Arabian Peninsula and other global regions has dramatically increased in recent decades. This phenomenon is undoubtedly innovative and novel; however, it disrupts the natural balance of marine environments and degrades coastal and marine resources. Moreover, the long-term sustainability of such developments might be undermined by rising water levels, earthquakes, and the behavior of filling material and others. This paper analyzed the extent of land reclamation in the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) along the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia within the last two decades and its environmental sustainability impacts. The study used satellite images to compare the coastal boundary of the study area from 2000 to 2020. The study analyzed five major reclamation projects and found that a total of 6081 hectares of land has been reclaimed from the Arabian Gulf, thereby altering the coastal profile of DMA significantly. The environmental sustainability implication of these projects includes the degradation and loss of ecosystem services and marine habitat, urban sprawl, and flood risk. Therefore, environmental regulations, such as the strict prohibition of coastal reclamation, and ecosystem-based urban planning, are needed for sustainable coastal land development.

In hot and humid climates, a significant part of the energy is used to cool the building. There are several ways to reduce this air conditioning load, but one standout is through the selection and design of the right building envelope and its components. The thermal characteristics of the building envelope, in particular the thermal resistance of the insulation used, have an impact on the thermal and energy performance of building structures. Thermal conductivity, which indicates the ability of heat to move through a material given a temperature difference, is the primary factor affecting the performance of a thermal insulation material. Both temperature and humidity changes can affect a material’s thermal conductivity value, which can then change. In fact, due to the fluctuating ambient air temperature and solar radiation, thermal insulation in buildings is susceptible to significant and continuous temperature variations. Thermal insulation used in building walls and roofs helps to reduce the energy demand of the building. It improves thermal comfort and, if used correctly, reduces the operational cost of the building. The present study has focused on the effects of location and insulation material on the energy performance of a residential building by considering five climatic locations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Five commonly used insulation materials with different thermal characteristics, namely polyurethane board (PU), expanded polystyrene (EPS), glass wool (GW), urea-formaldehyde foam (UFF), and expanded perlite (EP), were analyzed under various climatic zones as per the Saudi Building Code 601/602. The selected cities were categorized based on cooling degree days (CDD) and outdoor dry bulb temperature (DBT) as hot, very hot, and extremely hot climatic zones. Insulation improves thermal comfort and, if used correctly, reduces running costs. Experiments were conducted to determine the thermal conductivity, and the energy simulation was performed by employing IES-VE software for various insulation options. The findings indicate that the location has a significant impact on the energy performance of the insulating materials. The energy saving potential of polyurethane board (PU) insulation is more attractive in cities with higher DBTs and CDDs than in cities with lower DBTs and CDDs. The benefit of installing insulation ranged from a 2 to 14% decrease in energy demand for the climate zones studied. The sensitivity analysis showed that the energy saving potential of the insulation materials is sensitive to the set-point temperature (ST) band.

Heritage-based urban regeneration is a crucial strategy for preserving cultural identity while fostering sustainable urban development. This study examines the case of Tarout Island, one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest continuously inhabited sites, which faces challenges related to urbanization, infrastructure deterioration, and heritage conservation. As part of Saudi Vision 2030, urban regeneration efforts must balance modernization with the protection of historical and cultural assets to maintain the island’s unique identity. Through a review of global, regional, and local case studies, this research identifies best practices in heritage-driven urban renewal, emphasizing adaptive reuse, sustainable tourism, community engagement, infrastructure integration, and environmental sustainability. The findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive regeneration framework that not only safeguards historical sites but also fosters economic growth, cultural continuity, and community participation. The study proposes a strategic framework for heritage-based urban regeneration in Tarout Island, integrating conservation policies, sustainable tourism models, and participatory planning approaches. Key challenges such as legal enforcement, funding constraints, and the risks of over-commercialization are also addressed. By adopting a holistic and sustainable approach, Tarout Island can serve as a model for heritage-driven urban development in Saudi Arabia, demonstrating how cultural preservation and modernization can coexist harmoniously.

This research assesses the involvement of green urban spaces in creating social interaction among the residents of a neighborhood. It emphasizes the significance of urban parks, particularly in the context of Saudi Arabia’s New Vision 2030, and showcases the proactive approach of Jubail Industrial City in planning and distributing parks. The study delves into the legibility of parks, exploring factors that impact user experiences, including accessibility and amenities. It highlights how park design can influence social interactions. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of social interaction within neighborhood parks, especially among diverse cultural and age groups. The results prove to be a significant output for future use in enhancing the quality of green spaces and providing efficient means of social interaction among people. The study’s findings, such as increased social interaction with diverse amenities and improved safety perceptions, contribute to sustainable urban planning by fostering social cohesion, enhancing ecological benefits through tree cover, and building community resilience, aligning with Vision 2030’s sustainability goals. Recommendations are provided to improve the park user experience and promote increased utilization of neighborhood parks.