A GIS-Based Framework For Sustainable Recreation Planning In Riyadh City

Abstract

Recreational services play a pivotal role in supporting the well-being of urban residents by providing spaces to escape the pressures of life and enhancing opportunities for relaxation and social interaction. With the growing global trend toward sustainability, recreational planning is no longer limited to providing activities alone; it now requires adopting a comprehensive sustainability approach that integrates environmental, economic, and social dimensions. This transformation requires the development of innovative planning strategies, such as redistributing recreational facilities to reduce the need for long-distance travel, increasing green spaces to enhance air quality and biodiversity, and designing facilities that rely on energy and water efficiency.

This paper introduces a new classification framework based on a geographic information system that is focused on interpreting the emerging spatial patterns of recreational facilities within the city of Riyadh. The framework relies on three main components—recreational purpose, community trends, and spatial allocation—as interrelated elements that contribute to understanding how modern recreational phenomena are formed within the city. The framework also integrates the analysis of the population pyramid to clarify age-related disparities and guide the design of facilities and activities in a way that reflects the diverse needs of the population and achieves social sustainability. The framework also enables the analysis of the development of new recreational patterns and their spatial evaluation through the study of planning standards for facilities, including supply, demand, and accessibility, thereby enhancing the achievement of spatial justice principles in service distribution.

The results revealed a clear imbalance between the current demand and supply of recreational services, confirming the need to develop new recreational complexes according to clear spatial standards. The study's derived procedures and standards play a significant role in guiding sustainable recreational planning applications in rapidly growing cities.