Rethinking Regional Development Strategies in Saudi Arabia: Planning Processes, Governance, and Implementation

摘要

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.