This article reviews the smart city as a policy concept in Abu Dhabi. It conceptualizes smart city development goals into urban and extra-urban and review smart city development programmes in terms of ex-post and ex-ante. Extra-urban refers to development goals that go beyond the spatial or conceptual boundaries of the city. This will help to demonstrate how the pursuit of extra-urban may compromise the attainment of urban development goals. The paper uses Abu Dhabi as the frontline city in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in the race to attain the smart city status, having led consistently in the McKinsey Global Institute poll of 2018 and the global indexing exercises conducted by the International Institute for Management Development and Singapore University of Technology and Design in 2020 and 2021. The study has used qualitative document analysis method to review policy documents regarding the smartification initiatives in Abu Dhabi. The analysis reveals that ex-post programmes are more urban dweller oriented or urban centred with programmes involving the digitization of government services and free Wi-Fi connectivity in public transport, while ex-ante smartification programmes (as seen in the development of Masdar city) tend to be extra-urban, elitist and global in nature but do not take into account social sustainability.

The Saudi government has launched the Saudi Vision 2030 that aims to increase the home ownership rate to 70% by 2030 by taking the different sustainability goals into consideration. However, several challenges such as rapid urbanization and the gap between housing supply and demand are facing this goal. This study attributes the housing supply gap to KSA’s reductionist approach to the housing supply value chain (HSVC) and proposes adopting Industry 4.0 technologies. The study explores the challenges and prospects of integrating these technologies for sustainable housing delivery across the HSVC. Through action research, data were gathered via random sampling and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 24, incorporating a principal component analysis (PCA). The findings from the analysis identify key challenges such as data management infrastructure, construction industry regulations, uncertain housing delivery policies, and resistance to change. Despite these challenges, there is a strong potential for adopting Industry 4.0 technologies to achieve sustainable housing delivery. This study offers a blueprint for policymakers and housing industry leaders to develop a comprehensive strategy for adopting 4IR technologies in housing delivery, enhancing collaboration and driving progress towards Saudi Arabia’s sustainable housing goals.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) grapples with the challenge of achieving sustainable housing delivery amidst rapid urbanization and rising construction costs. Current housing strategies have failed to offer a lasting solution to the crisis. To address these issues, this study advocates the adoption of fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies for sustainable housing. The previous literature highlights the versatility of 4IR technologies, prompting an examination of their suitability and benefits for housing delivery. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating suitable 4IR technologies for housing delivery and the benefits of adopting the technologies for sustainable housing delivery. The data used were collected via random sampling from stakeholders in the housing sector and analyzed using SPSS V 24, including mean scores, frequencies, and principal component analysis (PCA). The KMO and Bartlett’s test of sphericity confirmed that the data were appropriate for PCA and identified three key components of 4IR technology: Immersive technologies, smart connectivity, and automated construction sites suitable for sustainable housing delivery. These components enhance decision-making, operational efficiency, and project management throughout the housing delivery process. The study emphasizes the potential of 4IR technologies to transform the housing sector in the KSA sustainably, offering insights for both practice and research.

Purpose: The United Kingdom (UK) construction industry is experiencing a significant skills shortage due to the advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), leading to a high demand for reskilling. However, there is a lack of effective training frameworks for this purpose. This study aims to develop a framework to serve as a training strategy for reskilling construction professionals in the 4IR era, addressing the existing skills gap in the industry. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts random sampling in collecting data from stakeholders in the UK construction industry through the aid of a close-ended questionnaire. The data were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) using SPVSS V24 and confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS Graphics V28 software. The PCA was used to group the training strategies extracted from literature into meaningful constructs, which helped inform the development of the conceptual framework. Covariance-based structural equation modelling was then used to validate the framework, with model validation carried out using fit indices such as discriminant validity, standardized root mean square residual, comparative fit index, normed fit index and others. Findings: The model revealed that the key training strategies for reskilling construction workers in the 4IR era are immersive training, experiential learning, and collaborative workforce development. The findings indicate that immersive training, particularly through technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality, plays a critical role in equipping workers with both the technical and soft skills required for the future of construction. The study recommends that 4IR-driven technologies should also be used as reskilling tools for construction workers, as this approach would allow them to learn while working. Originality/value: Many studies have advocated for the reskilling of construction workers. However, there is a notable gap in research on the training strategies for effective reskilling of construction workers in the 4IR era. This paper provides a framework for stakeholders to implement effective reskilling strategies, thereby enhancing the industry’s capability to thrive in the 4IR era.

Background: In light of the urban developments and transformations during the past few years, there has been an increasing interest in the concept of governance in many countries, which aims to unify efforts and direct them towards achieving certain goals. In this regard, one of the most important is the concept of governance of urban strategies. This mainly aims to ensure a fair distribution of spatial development according to the economic base and the capabilities available for each region, which raises the physical and urban characteristics of a city as well as spreads and creates sustainable and balanced development. Methods: This study focuses on the review of the existing urban strategy model of Saudi Arabia and the challenges faced in its implementation during the past years. It is followed by the identification of the anomalies in the urban strategy model of Saudi Arabia by comparing it with similar successful models being implemented in other parts of the world. The proposed framework is evaluated by the experts using the Delphi technique for its finalization. Results: The shortcomings in each aspect of urban development were highlighted and based on the results a new framework is proposed. The final proposed version focuses on the improvement of the current model by modifying a few parameters. Conclusions: An idea of continuous review and development of the model is also floated that shall keep the urban strategy model updated with the latest technology and needs. The research shall; be highly beneficial for the authorities in assessing the cause of partial achievement of the set goals in the previous years and would help them in the improvement of the governance strategy.

Housing is both a physical and social system, enhancing and harmonizing the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions of sustainable and affordable living. In Saudi Arabia, the confluence of housing affordability and homeownership challenges have intensified alongside rapid urbanization. This study investigates preferences for apartment homeownership amidst escalating housing costs in the country. This research employs a mixed-method approach, incorporating a literature review and expert surveys (n = 61) using purposive sampling techniques to examine the factors influencing individuals' decisions on apartment homeownership. Using SPSS software, descriptive (percentages) and inferential (ANOVA and t-test) statistics are utilized to analyze socio-cultural and economic factors, including gender, nationality, location, financial considerations, and cultural influences. The findings revealed that nearly 90% of the respondents noted a growing market for apartment housing in Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA), Saudi Arabia,70.5% expressed that DMAresidents exhibit limited desire for apartment homeownership. Reasons cited include large household size (70.4%), poor apartment design and quality (62.4%), and apartments failing to sufficiently cater to family cultural needs (63.9%). By shedding light on the dynamics that shape residential choices in the face of increased housing expenses, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers, real estate developers, and urban planners working to tackle housing affordability challenges in DMA specifically and Saudi Arabiain general and other developing nations.