Public open spaces are essential for residents’ social interactions and recreational activities, improving well-being as well as offering economic and environmental benefits. Saudi Arabia is aiming to enhance the quality of life in all its cities through different national programs and projects. One of the key performance indicators is increasing public open space per capita from 3.47 to 3.9 m2 by 2020. This study measured the current public open space per inhabitant in Jeddah using a geographic information system (GIS) to identify the types of public open spaces that make up the per capita value in the city. Jeddah is located in a rapidly developing country, and it is a replanned city where the current status of public open spaces falls short of users’ expectations and does not meet international standards. This study suggests that the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and municipalities should adopt a systematic approach to tackling the spatial distribution of open spaces in Saudi cities. In addition, there is a need for the proactive involvement of planners, landscape architects, and designers in the planning process.

<p>Public open spaces are essential for residents’ social interactions and recreational activities, improving wellbeing as well as offering economic and environmental benefits. Saudi Arabia is aiming to enhance the quality of life in all its cities through different national programs and projects. One of the key performance indicators is increasing public open space per capita from 3.47 m² to 3.9 m² by 2020. This study measured the current public open space per inhabitant in Jeddah by using a geographic information system to identify the types of public open spaces that make up the per capita value in the city. Jeddah is located in a rapidly developing country, and it is a re-planned city where the current status of public open spaces falls short of users’ expectations and does not meet international standards. This study suggests that the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and municipalities should adopt a systematic approach to tackling the spatial distribution of open spaces in Saudi cities. In addition, there is a need for the proactive involvement of planners, landscape architects and designers in the planning process.</p>

Public open spaces are essential for residents' social interactions and recreational activities, improving wellbeing as well as offering economic and environmental benefits. Saudi Arabia is aiming to enhance the quality of life in all its cities through different national programs and projects. One of the key performance indicators is increasing public open space per capita from 3.47 m 2 to 3.9 m 2 by 2020. This study measured the current public open space per inhabitant in Jeddah by using a geographic information system to identify the types of public open spaces that make up the per capita value in the city. Jeddah is located in a rapidly developing country, and it is a re-planned city where the current status of public open spaces falls short of users' expectations and does not meet international standards. This study suggests that the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and municipalities should adopt a systematic approach to tackling the spatial distribution of open spaces in Saudi cities.In addition, there is a need for the proactive involvement of planners, landscape architects and designers in the planning process.

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is looking to enhance the quality of life in its cities by making the cities livable places. This study focuses on the changes that need to be made to the street design in Saudi Arabia to achieve the goals of the 2030 vision. This paper highlights the importance of aesthetics, accessibility, security and safety and walkability, which needs to be considered during street design. The analytical study uses examples from around the world of applying the basic principles of streetscape design in order to develop the streetscape approaches and recommendations in Saudi Arabia. The research emphasizes the importance of developing the urban environment visual image in the country to enhance the quality of life of both people and the city. Approaches include directing urban planners and designers to the important role of the well-designed streetscape and identifying methods of applying sustainability to streetscape design and making street pedestrian-oriented.