Access to affordable housing has a significant impact on the quality of lives of households and the overall well-being of communities. The enabling approach is recognized internationally as a mechanism for housing delivery, shifting the government’s role from that of a direct provider to that of an enabler within housing markets. In line with its Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to transition its role from a direct housing provider to an enabler. This study aimed to assess the extent to which enabling strategies have been implemented within the Saudi Arabian context. This research was conducted based on a desktop study of the key literature, analysis of secondary data, and content analysis of the collected documents to address the research aim. The study found that housing costs, traditional land tenure, and insufficient financing are major housing challenges, intensified by high lending interest, lack of investor diversity in housing types, and lack of long-term funding from financiers. Also, slum developments are limited to providing street access, without addressing the overall conditions and the level of services. In addition, the costs of obtaining permits and implementing building regulations have contributed to housing shortages in the country. On the other hand, real estate developers of different scales undergo a classification and qualification system to increase their capacity for housing supply. To address these challenges, the Saudi government has implemented an enabling approach, serving as a provider for low-income and vulnerable groups through the Developmental Housing Program. The government also encourages local manufacturing of building materials to boost the construction industry. The present study recommends that the government enhance existing instruments to enable access to affordable housing.

Water scarcity poses a significant challenge in Saudi Arabia, exacerbated by its arid climate and limited freshwater resources. In response to this, wastewater treatment and reuse have emerged as critical strategies for achieving sustainable water management. This study offers an in-depth analysis of the current state of wastewater treatment and reuse in Saudi Arabia, focusing on existing infrastructure, treatment technologies, and reuse practices across various sectors, including agriculture, industry, and municipal applications. To predict the future potential of wastewater treatment and reuse, the study employs advanced statistical techniques and regression models, projecting the situation in 2035. The results indicate a substantial increase of 43.6% in both treated wastewater production and its reuse by 2035. To ensure the robustness of these forecasts, the study employs ANOVA, normal distribution and sensitivity analysis, which confirm the reliability of the proposed model and its ability to provide accurate predictions. The findings of this research suggest that wastewater reuse could play a vital role in alleviating the Kingdom’s water scarcity challenges and improving overall water security. However, for this potential to be fully realized, challenges related to infrastructure development, public acceptance, and the creation of supportive policy frameworks must be addressed. This study highlights the importance of integrating wastewater reuse into long-term water resource planning to meet future demands. It offers valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, providing actionable recommendations to guide the sustainable management of water resources in Saudi Arabia by 2035.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form one of the internationally recognized frameworks that guide sustainable urban development. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi government aims to increase the livability of Saudi cities. The aim of this study is to assess the current status of the SDG 11 key factors at the local government level in Saudi Arabia. Thus, Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) was selected as a case study. A questionnaire survey and a purposive sampling technique were utilized to assess the SDG 11 key factors. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was utilized as a technique to analyze the collected data and establish the most significant challenging factors within the city level based on feedback from public sector stakeholders. The study found that the most challenging SDG 11 key factors in DMA are first, SDG 11.1 Access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, with RII (0.845); second, SD G11.7 Universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces, with RII (0.809); and third, SDG 11.1 Access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and slum upgrading, with RII (0.787). This study offers insight into their combined efforts toward achieving inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners. Additionally, it promotes SDG 11 by highlighting avenues for further study, knowledge sharing, and cooperation.