AN EXAMINATION OF RIYADH NEIGHBORHOOD FORMS USING GIS APPLICATIONS

The paper examines urban neighborhood form design attributes in Riyadh. Due to some historical Reasons, Riyadh has witnessed two types of neighborhood form development. One is characterized by traditional vernacular type, mainly in the traditional urban core (Deerah), whereas the other is portrayed as sprawling-oriented neighborhood form which constitutes the bulk of the city’s recent developments. A continuum ranging from traditional type neighborhoods to sprawling ones was set up to measure and compare neighborhood attribute discrepancies and differences. Using the analysis tools provided in ArcView GIS 10.1, four sets of neighborhood components were used as measurement variables. These include land use intensity, land use mix, street network connectivity, and pedestrian accessibility. Recommendations are set forth for new neighborhood design and development to hold back the present sprawling suburbs of Riyadh.