Abstract

The Saudi government has engaged in regional planning to develop its 13 regions, reduce disparities between cities and rural areas, and balance resource distribution. In this paper I explore obstacles to regional development in Saudi Arabia and analyze outcomes in light of principles in the literature. I first identify seminal concepts of regional planning processes, governance, and implementation. These concepts are then organized into an evaluative framework for two case studies: Riyadh, the capital region of Saudi Arabia, and Makkah, the country’s most populated region. Finally, I present results, draw conclusions from the two cases, and discuss implications for the future of Saudi regional development.

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