Perceived Accessibility and Quality of Neighborhood Services: Evidence from Residents’ Perspectives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Cities are increasingly reconsidering car-dependent growth as they seek to improve everyday accessibility and neighborhood livability. This study examines how respondents in this survey perceive access to routine neighborhood services and what this suggests for advancing people-friendly communities. In this paper, “neighborhood services” refers to destination based everyday facilities and activities (schools, parks/public spaces, grocery stores, health centers, and mosques), not transport services. An exploratory online questionnaire (11–25 May 2023) collected responses from a convenience sample of 72 respondents across five broad city areas. Respondents reported perceived travel time categories, usual travel mode, and perceived service quality (1–5 Likert scale), complemented by open-ended improvement priorities. Perceived quality varied by destination type: mosques were rated highest and parks/public spaces were rated lowest in most areas. Mode choice differed markedly by destination: car use dominated trips to schools and health centers, while mosque trips were more often walked; grocery trips were split between walking and car. Exploratory area comparisons were mostly non-significant. Reported priorities included more parks, continuous sidewalks and safer crossings, cycling paths, improved drainage, and better lighting. Findings provide a service focused perception snapshot to support prioritization and future monitoring alongside objective measures.