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The significant predicament of sustainable urbanism in contemporary cities of the Gulf region is being addressed by developing policies designed to make cities safe, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. By examining the accessible planning documents, and based on the analysis of the ongoing world-class developments and megaprojects within the Gulf...
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Due to an alarming rate on the impact of global climate change, the integration of low-carbon goal in regeneration of historic urban areas is regarded as a key part towards the implementation of sustainable urbanism practises based on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Much studies on the planning and design of low carbon strategies concerned over...
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... KBE is also seen in the Gulf as means of leapfrogging development into the modern (capitalist) age, relying on knowledge and innovation through highly qualified human capital. Utilizing their carbon reserves, GCC states borrowed and imitated technologies and planning ideas rather than generating inventions or innovations of their own (Zaidan, 2019;Zaidan and Abulibdeh, 2020). Alongside the classic forms of capitalnatural, produced (or built), and financialhuman capital, generally defined as investments in education, health, job training and migration, is an important form of capital that is particularly dependent on the fifth form, namely social capital, which is understood as the institutions and social norms supporting human capital (Laroche et al., 1999;Clarke and Gholamshahi, 2018). ...
Innovation and the promotion of entrepreneurship are requirements of the transition towards knowledge-based economies. Universities are assigned a key role in advancing entrepreneurship through the restructuring of teaching, research, and governance with an emphasis on innovation and sustainability. In the Gulf region, universities are increasingly adopting reforms aimed at redefining their missions towards entrepreneurial education. This study examines the impact of university-based innovation and entrepreneurial models on progressing towards knowledge-based economies, with Qatar University serving as a case study. It qualitatively assesses recent university reforms and contextualizes these reforms within limitations in the national context and the political economy of the rentier states in the Gulf. The findings suggest that for Gulf region universities to effectively become entrepreneurial and support sustainable development, they must cultivate an entrepreneurial culture and mindset. This requires structural and cultural shifts that resonate with national context, institutional values, and the global sustainability goals. The study indicates that a top-down approach to developing entrepreneurial universities is less effective. It advocates for policies and incentives that motivate universities to become entrepreneurial. Ultimately, the study’s insights aim to guide policymaking to develop knowledge economy frameworks in Qatar towards a sustainable future.
... The legal evolution of Dubai is intricately linked to Islamic principles and Bedouin traditions. Sharia law is a fundamental component of the legal system and is rooted from Islamic principles (Zaidan & Abulibdeh, 2021). Simultaneously, the influence of international trade, commerce, and globalization has introduced modern legal concepts, fostering a legal landscape that reflects both tradition and a forward-looking approach. ...
Utilizing a literature review as the primary method, this study delved into the navigation of tradition and modernity within Dubai's criminal justice system. The methodology entailed a comprehensive review of existing scholarly works, legal documents, and reports pertaining to the subject matter. The analysis synthesized insights from various sources to examine the system's integration of international human rights values and Sharia law principles. Additionally, it explored mechanisms for defending minority rights and assessed perceptions of the system's fairness and effectiveness among different segments of the population. Through this literature-based approach, key findings emerged. Firstly, the majority of sources indicated that the system effectively balances international human rights standards with Sharia law principles. Secondly, specialized courts and legal aid provisions were identified as mechanisms for safeguarding minority rights. Lastly, while the system was generally perceived as providing adequate protection, opportunities for improvement, such as enhancing access to justice for marginalized groups, were highlighted. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the Dubai criminal justice system has successfully negotiated tradition and modernity, offering valuable insights for other jurisdictions. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to evaluate the long-term implications of these findings and to refine strategies for ongoing enhancement in response to evolving societal demands.
... The SCC idea raises several questions with regard to the premise of "community" and its associated social aspects such as coherence, privacy, acceptability, and affordability. While forms of connected communities already exist in the region (e.g., through district cooling and centralized waste management), these technologies are often analyzed in terms of beneficial smart city applications that are provided via commercial (monopolistic) service providers at a district level (Mohasses, 2018;Al-Saidi and Zaidan, 2020;Zaidan and Abulibdeh, 2021). The benefits of connected communities in the region demand a broader discussion in terms of the scale and feasible/desirable directions. ...
City planners are seeking ways to incorporate human-centric urban projects that combine smart technology, good infrastructure and people's perception as well as their participation. Smart city developments are increasingly being applied to smaller scales at which communities can co-design hard infrastructure and the resulting services. Experiences from city projects at this level have produced a plethora of designs, challenges and success factors, particularly from cases in countries with long legacies in city development. In the Gulf Cooperation Council region, young cities and new planned cities house the bulk of the population and face environmental challenges related to urban segregation, urban sprawl and large consumption footprints. The political-economy of this region in terms of central urban planning and government-led economic development offers valuable insights on the limits and challenges in implementing projects related to smart and connected communities (SCC). SCC as a label for smart urban interventions towards more connectedness between hard and soft (human-related) infrastructure can provide opportunities for participatory and sustainable urban planning in the region. This paper analyzes the role of community-level interventions within the smart city policies of Gulf countries. It shows that only few local-level projects exist, while the barriers to large-scale SCC initiatives are related to demographics, community characteristics, technological sophistication, lack of conducive regulations, and the prevalence of central urban planning. The success of local smart city approaches in the Gulf is dependent on public leadership in terms of clearing obstacles, designing broader strategies, and expanding projects to include the residential sector. Considering the potential of SCC projects to enhance the transition to sustainability in the predominantly urban Gulf societies, broader engagement of local governments, utilities, and community-level developers can result in tangible benefits in terms of more sustainable, smart and tailored local services.
... The pace of urbanization dramatically reshaped the Gulf nations. Within a short span, these countries experienced an accelerated urban development phenomenon, which typically played out over extended periods in Western cities (Elsheshtawy 2021;Molotch and Ponzini 2019;Zaidan and Abulibdeh 2021). However, this unprecedented hyper-growth neglected the region's intricate social and environmental dynamics. ...
... Through the inclusion of a sustainable landuse map to guide decentralized urban hubs and development, the plan lays out a framework to diversify its economy and mitigate the natural risks of its linear development on flood-prone lands (Al Gharibi 2019; Arab National Development Planning Portal 2022). However, challenges persist, including fragmentation and sprawl caused by land lottery policies that allocate subsidized lands to citizens (Zaidan and Abulibdeh 2021). ...
... Additionally, the different prototypes of sustainable cities in the region exhibit the traits of neoliberal urbanism, in which the accumulation of private capital takes precedence over the public interest. The projects have also been described as exclusive and secluded (Zaidan and Abulibdeh 2021). This disparity between grand ambitions and realities casts doubts on the project's effectiveness and paints them as flashy publicity stunts rather than transformative solutions to urban planning and design practice in the region. ...
This study uses morphological mapping to trace sustainable urban forms over six decades in sixty-five neighborhoods in seven Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) cities. The study examines the evolution of three dimensions—compactness, connectivity, and diversity. The aims are (1) to assess the extent to which sustainable forms have been implemented in neighborhood development and (2) to identify model neighborhoods that can guide sustainable neighborhood development. Findings indicate that pre-suburban developments are generally more sustainable than contemporary neighborhoods, although some modern neighborhoods incorporate sustainable elements. Effectively implementing policies requires striking a balance between physical ideals and consideration of social aspects.
... Second, the addition of business-class carriages helps alleviate congestion in common-class carriages to some extent by adjusting the train formation. Third, the allure of the business-class carriage extends to commuters residing near metro stations but facing daily challenges related to road congestion and parking difficulties (Abulibdeh, 2023;Pyrialakou et al., 2019;Zaidan and Abulibdeh, 2021). ...
Understanding differentiated services is pivotal for enhancing the appeal and diversity of the metro system, yet this facet has received relatively scant attention in existing literature. To bridge this research gap, our analysis delves into the business-class services offered by the metro and compares them with the common-class offerings. First, we illustrate the spatial and temporal patterns of business- and common-class ridership across stations and hours. Second, we construct two-stage geographically weighted regression models to identify key determinants and their spatiotemporally heterogeneous effects, focusing on land-use patterns, demographic considerations, and intermodal transfer modes. Leveraging one-week smart card data collected in Shenzhen from May 13th to 17th, 2019, our findings underscore the following aspects: (1) Spatial and temporal variations in business-class ridership across stations are linked to diverse land-use configurations. (2) Bus-metro transfers, business establishments, medical facilities, and the proportion of young commuters contribute significantly to the business class ridership. (3) The emergence of business-class trips is weakly associated with bike-sharing activities but has a strong correlation with bus transfers. (4) Business establishments and medical facilities exhibit nuanced impacts on business-class travel, with excessive aggregation leading to unintended consequences. These insights offer valuable policy implications for fostering the development of business-class services in the metro systems of other Chinese cities.
... Moreover, the climate has left its mark on the identity of Arab cities by contributing to shaping traditional architecture and urban planning [10][11][12][13]. The cities in this region are the result of an interaction between harsh climatic conditions, social and economic needs, and various historical factors [14,15]. ...
In the context of Arab cities, this study explores the intricate interplay between cultural, historical, and environmental elements that shape their unique soundscapes. The paper aims to shed light on this underrepresented field of study by employing a threefold research approach: systematic review, a comprehensive literature review, and the formulation of a future research agenda. The first part of the investigation focuses on research productivity in the Arab world regarding soundscape studies. An analysis of publication trends reveals that soundscape research in Arab cities is still an emerging area of interest. Critical gaps in the existing body of literature are identified, highlighting the importance of addressing these gaps within the broader context of global soundscape research. The second part of the study delves into the distinctive features that inform the soundscapes of Arab cities. These features are categorized into three overarching groups: (i) cultural and religious life, (ii) daily life, and (iii) heritage and history, by exploring these factors, the study aims to elucidate the multifaceted nature of Arab urban sounds-capes. From the resonating calls to prayer and the vibrant ambiance of traditional cafes to the bustling markets and architectural characteristics, each factor contributes to the auditory tapestry that defines Arab cities. The paper concludes with a forward-looking research agenda, proposing sixteen key questions organized into descriptive and comparative categories. These questions emphasize the need for a more profound understanding of sound perception, sources, and the impact of urban morphology on the soundscape. Additionally, they highlight the need for interdisciplinary research, involving fields such as urban planning, architecture, psychology, sociology , and cultural studies to unravel the complexity of Arab urban soundscapes.
... These geographic demarcations are exemplified by the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration, and the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration, respectively. Each of these city clusters boasts its own distinctive attributes and strengths, finely tuned to the unique characteristics of their respective regions (Xie et al., 2022;Zaidan & Abulibdeh, 2021). For instance, the Yangtze River Delta cluster predominantly thrives on manufacturing industries, while the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei cluster serves as the nucleus of national politics and exerts a profound influence on economic development. ...
This study comprehensively explores China’s urban green economy through an indicator framework constructed using the super-efficient SBM model. We assess the green economic performance of 19 key urban economies, investigating their spatial and temporal dynamics and analyzing technological innovation’s influence. China’s advantageous city clusters show significant green economy growth, enhancing national quality. Anticipated outputs indicate rising GDP in these clusters, although their share of total national GDP declines. Unintended outputs, like wastewater and emissions, fluctuate, revealing distinctions among clusters. Temporal analysis (2009–2022) reveals a substantial rise in green economic efficiency, from 0.24 to 0.56, with an evident progressive trend. Notably, agglomerations with rapid economic growth and robust environmental governance, like the Yangtze River Delta, exhibit pronounced efficiency increases. Spatially, disparities in green economic efficiency emerge, concentrating high value along the eastern coast and lower value in the northwest and Northeast, following an east–west, north–south trend. This study deepens our understanding of China’s urban green economy, uncovering spatial–temporal dynamics and technological influences. Valuable implications for policymakers, economists, and sustainability practitioners inspire further exploration of green economic development within China’s urban landscape.
... These efforts must be considerable since housing must be long-lasting to withstand the elements and ravages of time. As society and urbanization move forward, heating, cooling, and other utilities are becoming more and more important in housing (Zaidan and Abulibdeh, 2021). This has made the production process more complicated. ...
The main objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness, gaps, and limitations of slum development and improvement initiatives in Southern Punjab. Slums are home to one out of every three people who live in cities throughout the developing world. These are often areas of robust economic activities. Globally, more than a billion people reside in slums. Many slums sprung up in and around Bahawalpur to accommodate the influx of people seeking better opportunities from surrounding areas, including Bindra Bund, Tibba Badar Sher, and others. Most of these slums continued to have issues because of urbanization and a lack of public amenities. The research used a mixed-methods research design, integrating quantitative and qualitative methodologies, to provide a thorough understanding of the growth of slums in the Southern Punjab region, and Tibba Badar Sher in particular. The paper concludes with the identification of key obstacles and opportunities for sustainable development.
... As a result, the Gulf states witnessed significant changes in their Arabian urban context, such as rapid urbanization, increase in population, modernization, global cultural exchange, and sociocultural transformation. Thus, the traditional indigenous societies were changed to advanced and motor-driven communities [6]. Though the Arabian Gulf consists of highly urbanized countries, the city management and sustainable development process are challenging. ...
... Smart sustainable urbanism has become an emerging trend in response to the growing urban challenges. It is a difficult task as the GCC countries rely heavily on cars as a means of transportation resulting in congestion, fragmentation of societies, and pollution [6]. ...
The world continues to witness rapid urbanizations that induce environmental stress and urban challenges. Sustainable development policies were adopted globally to address such adversities, and investments in smart technologies to improve urban efficiency and quality of life are now a common theme. This research aims to define a Smart Sustainable City (SSC) within the local context, taking the Kingdom of Bahrain as a global case. The study further seeks to develop an assessment framework suitable for evaluating SSCs. Finally, the study validates the developed framework by quantitatively assessing the quality of urban life in Diyar Al Muharraq, a newly developed urban area in Bahrain, selected for its advertised goal of creating a smart and sustainable urban community. The research contributes to the understanding of SSCs globally. In addition, it creates a unique methodology for developing a local understanding and assessment framework for SSCs.
... The GCC region is presently confronted with a myriad of risks and challenges, encompassing population growth, swift urbanization, substantial rural-to-urban migration, crowded cities, escalating employment needs, and concerns regarding security and governance, as well as shortages of energy, food, and water. [2,31]. To address these concerns, GCC nations have designed more or less comprehensive national spatial strategies (NSS) that integrated Western spatial planning ideas with local administrative and judicial traditions [32]. ...
... The problems caused by growing urbanization are undoubtedly lessened in GCC nations. Urban development has been a key component of the national development strategy in these countries [31]. Therefore, it is important to re-think the future spatial strategies and policies of the cities in the GCC countries. ...
... The Gulf Cooperation Council is a predominantly under-analyzed and under-criticized international organization [31]. The form and functioning of GCC countries' vision plans have been reviewed and criticized, while the GCC successes have been prominent in the economic sector. ...
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members have experienced tremendous transformation in their smart cities in recent years. Every GCC nation has its own urban planning authority to manage urban growth and development since its independence from British rule. These planning agencies create strategies, plans, rules, and oversee the building process. The novelty of this research lies in its comprehensive analysis, cross-border comparisons, and the generation of insights that contribute to a deeper understanding of urban planning dynamics and strategies within the Gulf Cooperation Council. The objective of this article is to examine the national spatial strategies (NSS) and vision plans of GCC countries. This study discusses the existing methods, plans, and efforts to accomplish this goal while emphasizing prospective opportunities, problems, and difficulties. We used the SWOT method to evaluate the national vision plans of GCC countries. The analysis identifies successful outcomes that the GCC countries have already achieved in terms of their national spatial strategies. The weakness in the current strategies is oil dependency, which could be strengthened. Potential opportunities in the tourism sector need to be taken full advantage of, and potential threats, like regional tension, need to be managed to prevent the failure of the development of the existing urban system. The primary suggestion entails executing programs outlined by the respective line ministries and ensuring efficient management of urban spatial expansion by municipal authorities. However, the findings could serve as lessons for those at the helm of affairs in GCC countries to collaborate and achieve a comprehensive national strategic plan.
