Sustainable Urban Renewal: Planning Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Riyadh

Silvia Mazzetto (), Raffaello Furlan and Reem Awwaad
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Silvia Mazzetto: Sustainable Architecture Laboratory, Department of Architecture, College of Architecture and Design, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 12435, Saudi Arabia
Raffaello Furlan: Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
Reem Awwaad: Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-37

Abstract: Rapid urbanization and car dependency have transformed Riyadh into a sprawling metropolis, straining mobility, sustainability, and land use efficiency. Investments in metro and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems present an opportunity to shift toward transit-oriented development (TOD), making strategic urban planning essential. This study assesses Riyadh’s TOD potential by analyzing its urban structure, transport accessibility, and regulatory framework while drawing lessons from successful global models. This study applies GIS-based spatial analysis, policy review, and AI-driven clustering techniques (e.g., DBSCAN, K-Means) to evaluate TOD readiness and inform actionable strategies for Riyadh. The findings indicate that transit investments alone are insufficient due to gaps in zoning policies, pedestrian connectivity, and urban density. Enhancing compact, mixed-use developments, improving first- and last-mile accessibility, and leveraging AI-driven planning can reshape the city’s mobility ecosystem and foster sustainable urban growth. Vision 2030 provides a pivotal opportunity to align infrastructure investments with urban planning policies, ensuring Riyadh evolves into a modern, efficient, and transit-friendly city.

Keywords: transit-oriented development (TOD); urban mobility; sustainable urban planning; Riyadh Metro; bus rapid transit (BRT); mixed-use development; pedestrian accessibility; zoning policies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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