Dissertation_Dr Faisal Almubarak

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research findings: an evaluation and assessment of the Saudi urban experience and
characteristics in light of historical, cultural, and technological changes in the span of
the last five decades. Here, articulation of the aspects of the Saudi urban experience
will result in a model which I believe will be helpful in understanding urban
development and space formation in traditionally based sociopolitical systems
endowed with favorable economic opportunities. The model is a presentation of an
urban example in which state policy is analyzed in relation to leadership goals and
interests. In such a centralized, non-democratic decision-making environment, urban
policy has been conducive to the sustenance and perpetuation of traditional authority
ideals. This model will be contrasted to prevailing models of urban development, for
example, where market forces are working amidst democratic institutional (decisionmaking)
frameworks that maximize public involvement. In the Western model,
ecological awareness, economic efficiency, and social justice are the major concerns.
The competing market players and groups' consciousness will somewhat condition
the resulting "pluralistic urban forms."