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.

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.

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.

This study examines the influence of the arrangement of roads, buildings, and land use on abating terrorist attacks. The study analyzes seven cases of terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia, which resulted in 61(86%), and 197(88%) of the total deaths and injuries recorded within the last three decades, respectively. It finds that urban design features aided the attacks and recommends redesigning entrances and approaches to places of worship, establishing buffer zones between them and parking lots, and ensuring unobstructed views along approach paths. Urban planning guidelines alongside other security measures can significantly reduce the risk of terrorist attacks in public places.

There is a strong connection between public spaces and the quality of residential areas. Public spaces are essential elements for enhancing the livability of a city. However, not all public spaces are successfully playing its role in this case. Using Dammam city, Saudi Arabia as a case study, this paper examines how public spaces can impact the quality of life of its residents. A survey on a sample of residents of eight central districts of the city was conducted to explore their satisfaction with public residential spaces and its impact on their lives. Most respondents are reportedly considering changing residences due to the problems with current neighborhood public spaces. The result of this survey revealed that public residential spaces in central districts of Dammam need improvement to provide a better living environment to its residents. This study proposes some suggestions and recommendations for the relevant authority