Actual and perceived crime in residential environments: A debatable discourse in Saudi Arabia

Many scholars and researchers agree that the built environment, although not the basic determinant, can at least function as a modifier of human behavior. The traditional settlements of Saudi Arabia offer valuable insights into this interaction of human behavior and the built form, notably in the study of security issues. Contemporary Saudi Arabia has witnessed a change in the neighborhood concept, strongly influenced by urbanization in Europe and the U.S.A. Although modernization brought many benefits, it is not without its problems, most notably that these “exotic” neighborhood and dwelling designs give unlimited access of space, creating problems with respect to security. This study outlines the traditional and contemporary development of Hayil, a community in the central region of Saudi Arabia. It then focuses on a new neighborhood design, initiated by the countryʹs Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, which attempts to provide a more secure living environment by incorporating elements of the traditional Saudi settlement. The eventual aim is to construct neighborhoods which combine the benefits of contemporary living with the traditional cultural values of Saudi Arabia.