This study uses morphological mapping to trace sustainable urban forms over six decades in sixty-five neighborhoods in seven Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) cities. The study examines the evolution of three dimensions—compactness, connectivity, and diversity. The aims are (1) to assess the extent to which sustainable forms have been implemented in neighborhood development and (2) to identify model neighborhoods that can guide sustainable neighborhood development. Findings indicate that pre-suburban developments are generally more sustainable than contemporary neighborhoods, although some modern neighborhoods incorporate sustainable elements. Effectively implementing policies requires striking a balance between physical ideals and consideration of social aspects.

Amid the growing emphasis on the environmental and health benefits of walking, enhanced network connectivity emerges as a significant determinant in promoting pedestrian activity, as proven by scholars statistically and theoretically. Recent academic endeavors have introduced metrics such as pedestrian route directness (PRD) to measure connectivity, which maps the directness of routes between critical origins and destinations of the urban layout. However, there have been concerns from scholars about the limitations of PRD in theory, especially its sensitivity to larger radii of analysis. Addressing this theoretical inconsistency, this paper employs Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analysis to explore the correlation between the radius of analysis and variance of results, the significance of this correlation for subsequent research, and the geographical context’s influence on metric selection. The findings have revealed an r-value of −0.82, suggesting a strong and negative correlation. Moreover, the p-value of 0.0003 demonstrates the significance of the correlation and the rejection of the null hypothesis. These results bridge the gap between theoretical discussions and empirical analysis, revealing that, as the analysis radius expands, the sensitivity of results diminishes. The findings of this study hold significant implications for policy development and regulation of PRD, offering crucial insights that particularly advance the field of street connectivity.