Smart Cities as a Pathway to Sustainable Urbanism in the Arab World: A Case Analysis of Saudi Cities

Ali M. Alqahtany ()
Additional contact information
Ali M. Alqahtany: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: Rapid urbanization in Saudi Arabia, fueled by economic growth and population expansion, has created substantial challenges for urban planning, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. In response, smart cities have emerged as a transformative solution, integrating technological innovation with sustainable urban development. While the concept of smart cities has gained global traction, its practical application in Saudi Arabia remains in its early stages. This study investigates the potential of smart cities to tackle Saudi Arabia’s urban challenges, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines a theoretical analysis of global smart city frameworks with applied research, including field observations and policy analysis of Saudi initiatives. It explores the dynamic relationship between technology, governance, and sustainability, providing a comparative perspective that benchmarks Saudi efforts against international best practices. A central contribution of the study is the development of a multi-dimensional framework designed to advance sustainable smart cities in Saudi Arabia. This framework highlights key pillars such as data-driven governance, environmental resilience, social inclusivity, and economic innovation. By contributing to the broader discourse on sustainable urban development, this research positions Saudi Arabia as a potential regional leader in smart city implementation. Ultimately, the study highlights the transformative potential of smart cities to address global urbanization challenges, fostering resilient, equitable, and sustainable urban environments for future generations.

Keywords: smart cities; sustainability; urban development; Saudi Vision 2030; innovation; Arab region (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1525/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1525/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1525-:d:1589645

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().