Environmental sustainability in educational institutions is a critical concern for addressing global challenges. This research presents a comprehensive framework for sustainable energy conservation, behavior change, and recycling practices in schools, with the aim of fostering environmental consciousness among students and enhancing overall educational quality. The framework integrates solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, encouraging students’ participation in their maintenance while repurposing collected water for plant irrigation and using organic waste as a natural fertilizer. By creating a micro-ecosystem within schools, the approach cultivates a generation of environmentally aware individuals who actively contribute to environmental stewardship. The framework aligns with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 vision of improving quality of life and increasing green surfaces. It promotes environmental awareness, facilitates clean energy adoption, and reduces operational costs. The role of municipalities and recycling bodies is crucial for its successful execution, involving waste management support, educational programs, and regulatory compliance. Through collaboration between schools, municipalities, and recycling bodies, the framework aims to create a culture of sustainability. It envisions students as advocates, gaining experiential knowledge in renewable energy technologies and waste management. This research offers a roadmap for schools to integrate solar energy, behavior change, and recycling practices, positioning them as leaders in environmental stewardship. The framework underscores the importance of collaborative efforts, financial support, and awareness campaigns. By embracing this comprehensive approach, schools can play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change, promoting sustainable living, and inspiring a brighter future for generations to come.

This study explores the reasons for the failure to sustain the rehabilitation of Al-Khabra as a heritage village for tourism. Despite the rehabilitation activities since 2007 and the comprehensive plans for the development, protection, and operation of the village, tourism activities are limited due to the restricted availability of qualified buildings, infrastructure, and services. This has made the investment in the village economically unviable. This study aims to propose sustainability strategies for heritage villages by investing in eco-tourism. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach by analyzing the rehabilitation experience through available reports and studies, field observations, and interviews. A holistic and environmental approach was proposed based on the integration of cultural and environmental elements to promote eco-tourism in the village. This study recommends the development of national policies that regulate the preservation of local resources and biodiversity within an integrated framework that enhances the unique environmental advantages of the village and encourages investment in it.

Saudi Arabia has been facing issues with completing construction projects on time and on budget. It has been documented that 70% of public construction projects are delayed. A case study was performed at a University campus in northern Saudi Arabia, identifying the major causes of project delays. The University was experiencing delays from 50% to 150%. The delay factors were gathered from the University Projects Director. The University's delay factors were then compared to delay factors experienced on Saudi construction projects, identified by performing a literature research. The comparison identified nine causes of delays that both studies documented. The study also proposes a solution to minimize the nine major delay factors. A literature research identified one construction management method, the Performance Information Procurement System (PIPS), has documented multiple times its ability to improve project performance and minimize delays.

Public projects in Saudi Arabia have been experiencing low construction project performance for the past decade. Studies have identified the low-bid delivery method as an important factor in causing such delays. In addition, low bids for contracts have not reflected the actual project cost. A case study was conducted at a university campus in northern Saudi Arabia in which the actual project costs for four projects were examined. The study found that all four projects’ costs were higher than the original bid. In addition, a large survey was conducted of 804 classified contractors and universities representatives who identified change orders as the most common factor causing cost overruns in Saudi Arabia. Previous studies showed that some contractors aim to submit low bids for winning the competition then change orders to reduce their losses. Consequently, low bids also lead to cost overruns. In a comparison using the result of a case study and the results of the Performance Information Procurement System (PIPS), Saudi Arabia’s delivery system was identified as a potential cause of project performance issues.

The Middle East construction industry is fragmented, which makes project data inaccessible and underutilized. Building information modeling (BIM) provides innovative solutions to the AEC industry. Due to a lack of awareness of BIM’s successful processes, protocols, and workflows, some Middle Eastern organizations have tried to create their own systems but have not always chosen BIM. Some users did not comprehend BIM’s benefits, and the construction business was not ready for BIM technology. Furthermore, BIM’s benefits were not well known. This study intends to investigate construction practitioners’ awareness of the BIM field, the BIM adoption situation, and procedures in Middle Eastern design companies, by identifying and assessing construction professionals’ perceptions of impediments to BIM implementation in Middle Eastern construction. This research conducted a semi-structured interview to collect data and information from design teams currently adopting BIM at the project design stage. Thirteen of thirty-nine accepted to participate, with four invalid samples. Data collection reached a saturation point after the fifth interview. The descriptive and empirical analysis showed few BIM studies, lack of knowledge, insufficient government policies, high implementation costs, inadequate contractual coordination, lack of specified standards, cost of data and information sharing, technological availability issues, stakeholder reluctance, business and cultural changes, data and intellectual property issues, and interoperability issues. The factor analysis identified three main BIM implementation difficulties in Middle Eastern construction. These factors are training, cost, and economic constraints.

This study aimed to analyze the lighting design in selected historical sites. Lighting plays a significant role in reflecting symbolic, functional, and aesthetic values. Our study found that there is no special recognition for mud buildings’ outdoor lighting standards, so we analyzed the lighting design in a case study approved by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority. We developed lighting criteria and tested the effect of the building surface on these criteria, to be used as a reference for lighting local mud heritage buildings. This study used a mixed methods research framework encompassing both qualitative and quantitative data. For the qualitative data, a descriptive–analytical approach was used to list all the criteria found in the literature for historical and heritage buildings, as well as site visits and observations for the selected mud building. The quantitative data contained the dimensions identified in the first phase to develop and test the preferences of lighting criteria illuminance and correlated color temperature (CCT). A computer simulation was created to derive the outdoor lighting standards, and a questionnaire was developed to assess clarity, sensitivity, and preferences. The findings revealed that participants mostly preferred higher illuminance and warm temperature was preferred over other temperature options. The manuscript concludes with some recommendations for future studies.