Several studies in the literature have emphasized that public open spaces, such as recreational parks in residential neighborhoods, play a crucial role in enhancing social interaction among residents. As such, access to these parks is a key factor that may influence their use and, in turn, affect the quality of social engagement within the community. Traditional approaches to park accessibility, which focus solely on physical distance, have notable limitations, as proximity alone does not reliably predict park usage. Therefore, physical accessibility should be complemented by assessments of perceived or psychological accessibility. This study is designed to propose a framework for enhancing social interaction through improved access to recreational parks in the residential neighborhoods of the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA). It employs a mixed-methods approach comprising two primary methodologies: (1) observational behavioral mapping to identify key influencing factors based on user activities within the selected case study areas, and (2) an end-user questionnaire survey analyzed through inferential statistics, specifically Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), to assess residents’ perceptions of park accessibility and social interaction. The results indicate that adequate park maintenance significantly improves physical accessibility, while elements such as safety are essential for fostering psychological comfort. The ANOVA results yielded an F-value of 4.72 and a p-value of 0.00, confirming a statistically significant effect of the park’s physical features on facilitating social contact among local residents. The study presents a framework that integrates key demographic and social factors influencing park usage, advocating for infrastructure improvements aligned with user perceptions to foster greater community engagement. It highlights that addressing psychological barriers is just as important as making physical enhancements to achieve effective park accessibility. By combining physical design, demographic insights, and user experiences, the framework serves as a practical guide for planning inclusive and socially responsive public spaces. This research contributes to the fields of urban planning, social sustainability, and environmental psychology by offering localized insights and practical tools for implementation. Future research is recommended to further refine urban strategies that promote equitable access to recreational parks, particularly by addressing demographic-specific needs and psychological barriers that influence social interaction in open spaces.

Despite recent innovations in soil improvement techniques, it remains difficult for project managers to select the most appropriate technique for soil improvement projects due to the lack of a reliable and systemic framework that may support the decision-making process. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to introduce a new systematic assessment framework that establishes reliable criteria for the selection of dynamic compaction (DC) technology, evaluates its effectiveness using Cone Penetration Test (CPT) data, and predicts the expected improvement in soil bearing capacity (Qc). The proposed framework uses zone-based soil categorization in conjunction with soil behavior type index (I_c) and CPT data to predict the expected improvement in soil bearing capacity after the implementation of the DC technique. In addition, a case study is used to highlight the applicability and the effectiveness of the proposed framework in evaluating the suitability of the DC technique and in predicting the expected improvement in the bearing capacity of soil. The results show that the DC technique is appropriate when the soil has a behavior type index of I_c ≤ 1.31, 1.31 < I_c ≤ 2.05, 2.05 < I_c ≤ 2.6, 2.6 < I_c ≤ 2.95 and I_c > 2.95, and the expected improvement in soil bearing-capacity (Qc) is within the range of [+20, +∞], [15–20], [5–15], [1–5] and [0–1] MPa, respectively.

Sea-level rise (SLR) and coastal flooding are among the most pressing climate-related challenges facing coastal regions worldwide, and their impacts are further intensified by rapid urbanization. These processes pose serious socioeconomic and environmental risks, including increased flood exposure, threats to public health, and damage to critical infrastructure. In Saudi Arabia, more than 3100 km² of coastal land lies at elevations of 1 m or lower; however, reliable assessments of future sea-level rise and its potential impacts remain limited, creating significant uncertainty for long-term planning. This study addresses this knowledge gap by identifying areas vulnerable to sea-level rise and coastal flooding through the development of inundation maps for the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) as a case study, while also outlining potential adaptation measures. Using satellite imagery and geospatial datasets, changes in the DMA shoreline between 2014 and 2024 were analyzed, and sea-level rise scenarios were simulated based on projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The results indicate that under a 0.6 m sea-level rise scenario, flooding would be limited to a small area of approximately 0.2 km² in the Half-Moon residential district. In contrast, a 1.1 m sea-level rise scenario reveals a substantial increase in risk, with nearly 83 km² of the DMA potentially exposed to coastal flooding. Based on these findings, targeted disaster management and adaptation strategies are recommended for areas most vulnerable to sea-level rise. The study highlights the need for policies regulating coastal reclamation and other climate-sensitive developments to minimize future flood risks. It supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by enhancing urban flood risk assessment and improving understanding of climate-driven sea-level rise impacts.

Social interaction is crucial for social sustainability and quality of life. This research focuses on recreational parks in residential neighborhoods in the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) to enhance social interaction. The study is designed to identify and prioritize factors affecting social interaction in the recreational parks in the residential neighborhoods in the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA). All factors are extracted from literature studies relevant to social interaction among individuals in recreational parks. This study follows the methodology of an expert-based questionnaire to weigh each factor according to a scale from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree” regarding the extracted factors that may influence social interaction in recreational parks. The findings emphasized the importance of the demographic characteristics of neighborhood residents, the physical characteristics of recreational parks, and social sustainability characteristics in influencing social interaction among neighborhood residents in the recreational parks in the DMA. The analysis of the demographic characteristics showed that the age group of the neighborhood residents is the most effective factor on social interaction in the recreational parks in DMA, with a score of 4.53. Secondly, the analysis of the physical characteristics of the recreational parks showed that the periodic maintenance of the recreational park is the most effective factor on social interaction in DMA, with a score of 4.79. Thirdly, the analysis of social sustainability characteristics showed that safety and security is the most effective factor on social interaction in the recreational parks in DMA, with a score of 4.74. Finally, this study concluded with some recommendations to address the probable factors that may influence social interaction in the recreational parks in the Saudi context, particularly in DMA.

Several literature studies have emphasized that public open spaces such as recreational parks in the residential neighborhoods play a crucial role in enhancing the social interaction among neighborhood residents. Hence, access to recreational parks is one of the prominent issues that may influence the use of the park and subsequently will influence the quality of social interaction. The traditional literature on park accessibility that depend only on physical distance have significant limitations, since proximity alone fails to forecast park use. Consequently, physical accessibility must be augmented by assessments of perceived accessibility (Psychological Accessibility). The study designed to propose a framework for enhancing social interaction through improved access to recreational parks in the residential neighborhoods in the Saudi context. This study follows two main methods, firstly, the observational behavioural mapping that was conducted to extract the appropriate influencing factors depending on the behavior of the individuals in the selected case studies. Secondly, the end user questionnaire survey. The study reveals several factors that influence access to recreational parks, including periodic maintenance, proximity, physical attributes, environmental attributes, and location. The questionnaire survey indicates that most people visit parks for exercising, family outings, and nature relaxation. Therefore, more focus should be placed on amenities related to these factors, as individuals' perceptions significantly affect their psychological accessibility to recreational parks. Finally, this study concluded with some key findings and implications to achieve the objectives of the research study.

Sustainability is built on three key pillars: economic, environmental, and social. Among these, social sustainability has received the least scholarly attention. This study explores social sustainability with a focus on social interaction in public open spaces, identifying the factors that influence such interactions among neighborhood residents. Specifically, it seeks to answer the research question: What are the key factors that influence social interaction in public open spaces within residential neighborhoods? A qualitative content analysis is employed, synthesizing insights from academic articles, papers, and books. Additionally, a comparative case study approach is used to analyze multiple cases, revealing relationships, differences, and similarities. The findings highlight that a well-designed environment is crucial for fostering social interaction. Three main categories influencing social interaction in public open spaces are identified: Demographic Characteristics of Neighborhood Residents (DCNR), Physical Characteristics of Recreational Facilities (PCRF), and Social Sustainability Characteristics (SSC). The study concludes that integrating these factors into public space design can enhance social cohesion and community well-being. By emphasizing social sustainability in urban planning and policymaking, this research underscores the need for inclusive, vibrant neighborhoods. Addressing the identified factors enables urban planners and designers to strengthen community ties and improve overall urban quality of life.