SACM - United Kingdom
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9667
Browse
39 results
Search Results
Item Restricted Hydrogen Supply Chain Transitions: A Literature Review of Socio-Technical Challenges and Policy Gaps(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Almelaifi, Mazen; Yazdani, NahidHydrogen is increasingly becoming a vital strategy for global decarbonisation with the potential to reduce the high carbon emissions in different sectors such as heavy industry and transportation. However, the scalability of hydrogen supply chains (HSCs) remains uncertain and is obstructed by ongoing technical, institutional and social challenges. This dissertation investigates socio-technical barriers and policy gaps that slow hydrogen transition process and how to improve governance and coordination A systematic literature review was carried out under PRISMA 2020, identifying 56 peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025. Studies were sourced from five databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and NUsearch. Data extraction and thematic synthesis methods identify studies across social, technical and policy aspects. The findings show the gap in the advancement of the technological aspect compared to other aspects. Despite that hydrogen has high production costs, low efficiency and limited infrastructure readiness. Governance and policy gaps consisting of fragmented institutions, regulatory uncertainty, and weak integration across sectors are barriers to hydrogen deployment. Research found social acceptance to be conditional, influenced by legitimacy, trust, safety, fairness and local resistance. Solutions involved national strategies, regulatory clarity, inclusive stakeholder engagement and adaptive governance mechanisms. The study's contribution to the literature is about systematically mapping socio-technical and policy gaps and identifying some underexplored areas of legitimacy, equity, and stakeholder engagement. This study highlights the Global North bias in the findings, and scaling hydrogen requires technological optimisation alongside bridging the governance and social gaps.8 0Item Restricted Assessing the Effectiveness of Saudi Environmental Awareness Week: Evaluating Its Impact on Pro-Environmental and Sustainable Behaviour, and Exploring Strategies for Improvement(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alsubaie, Mohammed; Dallison, RichardIn Saudi Arabia, the annual Saudi Environmental Awareness Week (SEAW) was established to foster public engagement in sustainability. However, a notable research gap exists concerning the empirical evaluation of such campaigns within this unique socio-cultural context. This study provides the first assessment of SEAW of its kind, aiming to evaluate its impact on environmental knowledge and pro-environmental behaviour, and to identify the key determinants that support or hinder sustainable actions among its participants. Adopting a pragmatic philosophy, this research employs a mixed-methods design, utilising a cross-sectional online survey with a retrospective pre-post self-assessment. The survey, completed by 100 participants of SEAW 2025, included quantitative scales and open-ended questions. Data are analysed using paired-samples t-tests, hierarchical multiple regression, and thematic analysis. SEAW is found to be highly effective in achieving its primary educational goal, with a large and statistically significant increase in self-reported environmental knowledge (p < .001). However, pro-environmental behaviour was not significantly predicted by psychosocial factors but was most strongly associated with the availability of sustainable options (β = .219, p = .053). This highlights a significant ‘intention-infrastructure gap’, where participants' motivation to act is constrained by external, structural barriers. Qualitative analysis further illuminated this gap, revealing forceful participant frustration with infrastructural deficits and economic penalties. Concurrently, the analysis identified potent, culturally specific motivators, such as the alignment of environmentalism with Islamic values (khilāfa), and a clear public desire for future campaigns to be more practical, systemic, and culturally resonant. iv While SEAW successfully builds a cognitive foundation for change, its ultimate impact is blunted by a prohibitive enabling environment. Future environmental initiatives in Saudi Arabia must evolve beyond information dissemination to focus on dismantling structural barriers and leveraging unique cultural and religious frameworks to translate awareness into sustained, meaningful action.8 0Item Restricted Sustainable Urban Planning and Liveability in Al Madinah Al Munawwara, Saudi Arabia: Assessing the Impact on Quality of Life(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alharthi, Nahed Saad; Cox, SavannahThis dissertation evaluates liveability and sustainability in Almadinah through a systems approach that links urban form, mobility, public space, environment, and governance to outcomes in daily life. The purpose is to translate strategy into delivery by building a practical indicator portfolio and a clear route from evidence to priorities, targets, responsibilities, and monitoring at neighbourhood and city scales. The study uses a combination of primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through an online bilingual survey. The survey gathered perceptions on accessibility, comfort, shade, public space, cleanliness, safety, awareness of sustainability initiatives, and preparedness for environmental events. Secondary data included official government documents, planning reports, and academic sources that provided contextual information and supported the interpretation of the survey findings. The collected responses were analysed using descriptive statistical methods to identify key patterns and relationships reflecting liveability and sustainability within the city. Findings indicate that accessibility, comfort, shade, cleanliness, and safety are the strongest influences on how residents and regular users perceive liveability in Almadinah. Survey responses show that satisfaction is highest with accessibility and safety, while the lowest ratings relate to shade availability and environmental comfort. Awareness of sustainability initiatives and preparedness for environmental risks were moderate, suggesting room for improvement in public communication and engagement. Secondary data from official planning and sustainability reports confirm these perceptions, highlighting the ongoing efforts toward improved mobility, public space enhancement, and environmental resilience under Vision 2030 programmes. Key strengths include strategic direction, ongoing infrastructure investments, and a growing focus on data driven planning. Gaps remain in the continuity of shaded pedestrian routes, consistency in neighbourhood level maintenance, and public awareness of sustainability and risk management. Priority actions include expanding shaded walkways, strengthening connectivity between neighbourhood centres, improving greenery and environmental comfort, and maintaining transparent data systems that support effective monitoring and decision making. The dissertation provides an applied framework that combines resident perceptions with official planning evidence to assess and enhance liveability and sustainability in Almadinah. The approach is grounded in local context and demonstrates how integrating community feedback with government priorities can guide practical urban improvements. It supports implementable actions that city agencies can maintain over time to strengthen accessibility, comfort, environmental quality, and overall urban resilience.20 0Item Restricted Assessing the Societal Impact of Using Green Energy Technologies in Smart City Projects of KSA(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alotaibi, Yazeed; Volpe, RobertoThe project focuses on the societal impact of Green Energy Technologies (GETs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The data has been collected through a Questionnaire Survey to address the research objectives. The project used descriptive analysis to present quantitative findings using SPSS. The data analysis based on 60 samples found that the people of KSA are in favour of using GETs in order to save the environment, raise living standards and development of the country. A total of 88% respondents agreed that GETs can improve productivity, economic growth and social health in the country. The study has also proven that GETs are crucial for society's well-being, as about 86% study population agreed. Moreover, the project outcome is in favour of using GETs in the country. On the other hand, there are still a few people who think that GETs can have some negative impacts on society, which could be a potential hurdle in the way of using GETs. The study recommends that the government and relevant stakeholders should provide more guidance and awareness to society on GETs.69 0Item Restricted Sustainability and Innovation in Megaprojects: Assessing NEOM’s Role in Saudi Arabia’s Economic Future.(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alotaibi, Abdullah; Arami, MitraThe themes of economic diversification and urbanization have increasingly occupied our attention amongst urban scholars, especially within megaprojects. On a Global scale, cities are embracing technology and innovation, sustainability, and economic evolution towards smart environments. One of the largest and most ambitious urban developments in the world, the $500 billion NEOM smart city in Saudi Arabia, is being advertised as a key aspect of Saudi Vision 2030 (Farag, 2019). The megacity NEOM is perceived as a futuristic city that utilizes artificial intelligence, renewable energy, advanced mobility, and an advanced digitized infrastructure (Altahtooh, 2019). As part of the project which aims to draw foreign investment, establish jobs and cut the kingdom's oil revenue dependence (Yusuf and Abdulmuhsen, 2023). Yet, despite NEOM seemingly mirroring trends towards smart cities globally, it also poses economic, environmental and logistical challenges (Algumzi, 2022). 1.2 Research Context: NEOM and Vision 2030 Vision 2030, which is the national reform strategy for Saudi Arabia, includes economic diversification and decreasing dependency on fossil fuels through sustainable urban development (Alghamdi, 2020). This umbrella includes NEOM as a flagship initiative to make Saudi Arabia at the forefront of city restructuring and green sustainability innovation (Mittal et al., 2023). This paper critically evaluates the role of NEOM in economic diversification, technological affordability and social context under the larger Vision 2030 umbrella. 1.3 Rationale for the Study Smart cities have been identified as valuable tools for sustainable development, thus studying sustainable megaprojects such as NEOM can provide insights into their viability in the context of developing countries. Although the concept of smart urbanism has initiated a rich literature (Kitchin and Dodge, 2017), there is little work focused on the long-term.34 0Item Restricted Influence of Environmental, Social and Economic Factors on Willingness to Participate in Green Events in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Albalawi, Elham Hassan; Strafford, DavidThis study investigates the impact of personal and sustainability credentials of events on the willingness to attend green events in Saudi Arabia, guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). It explores key variables including environmental awareness, peer behaviour, price, perceived value for money, and ease of access and how these variables influence the willingness of people to attend green events in Saudi Arabia. Using a positivist philosophy and deductive reasoning, the research employs a mono-method quantitative approach through online surveys, collecting responses from 80 participants using snowball sampling. The data was analysed using multiple regression, Pearson correlation, and independent sample t-tests to test the formulated hypotheses. Findings reveal that while environmental awareness alone does not significantly influence willingness to attend, peer behaviour, perceived value for money, and ease of access have positive and significant impacts. Gender-specific differences are noted, with women showing higher price sensitivity and valuing perceived benefits more than men. Practical recommendations include enhancing sustainable transportation options and clearly communicating the value proposition of green events to attract a diverse audience. The study underscores the importance of considering cultural and demographic factors in promoting sustainable practices.15 0Item Restricted Timber Extraction(Saudi Digital Library, 2024) Alsharfa, Zahra; Leandro, MinuchinBuilding with natural materials has been perceived as an important concept in sustainable architecture, and plays a key role in tackling the issue of climate change. Timber, in particular, is one of the most popular natural materials that has been extensively used by architectural practices around the world. This extends to those in the UK who have used timber as an alternative to carbon-intensive materials, like concrete and steel, with the aim to reduce CO2 emissions from the building industry. This dissertation aims to shed light on the other side of using timber in buildings to bring attention to the unnoticed social and environmental effects of the extractivist timber supply chain of the timber trade in the UK. A case study methodology was used in this research. A critical analysis of a UK-based architectural practice ‘Material Cultures’ work was employed, to understand the complexity of the building materials supply chain, focussing mainly on timber. Tracing the work of this practice was particularly useful in exploring alternatives that could tackle the dependency on the extractivist materials supply chain by the construction industry. The results showed that the concept of timber use in buildings as a sustainable solution could sometimes be oversimplified by architects and designers, resulting in some serious social and environmental violations and injustice around the world. Therefore, in order to achieve a true meaning of social and environmental sustainability, the consumers of timber like architects need to consider the process of the timber material chain and be aware of the origins, manufacture and design of the materials they use.9 0Item Restricted Development and Characterization of Gypsum Plaster Composite Incorporated with Sheep Wool(University of Strathclyde, 2025-05) Gah, Saleh; Sillars, FionaThis study aimed to develop and characterize a sustainable gypsum plaster composite incorporating sheep wool fibers to enhance thermal insulation properties while maintaining adequate mechanical performance. Samples with varying sheep wool concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3% by weight) were prepared using a layering technique. Thermal properties were evaluated using a heat flow meter method following BS EN 12667:2001, while mechanical performance was assessed through three-point bending tests according to BS EN 13279-2:2014. Results demonstrated significant improvements in thermal insulation, with thermal conductivity reduced by up to 51% in the 2% wool composite (0.122 W/m·K) compared to the reference sample (0.246 W/m·K). However, flexural strength decreased with wool fiber addition, with reductions ranging from 45-54% across reinforced samples, though all maintained values above the minimum requirement of 1.0 MPa for building applications. Microstructural analysis revealed that 2% wool content represented an optimal balance between thermal and mechanical properties, as higher concentrations led to fiber agglomeration and clustering that negatively affected performance. This research contributes to sustainable construction by demonstrating that sheep wool, a renewable material, can effectively enhance the thermal insulation of gypsum plaster while maintaining structural integrity for building applications.15 0Item Restricted The One Billion Trees(University of Portsmouth, 2025) Alshayea, Abdulaziz; Brymer, KatharineThis assignment explores the One Billion Trees initiative in Mongolia through the lens of project management, cultural dynamics, leadership, change management, and risk analysis. The project, launched in 2021, aims to combat desertification and climate change by planting one billion trees by 2030. The discussion begins with an examination of the role of national and organisational culture, applying Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and addressing its limitations through complementary models like Schein’s Organisational Culture Model. Leadership theories—including Situational, Action-Centred, and Transformational Leadership—are assessed for their relevance in mobilising diverse stakeholders, such as government bodies, private companies, and local communities. Change management is evaluated using Kotter’s 8-Step Model and Lewin’s Change Model, with Kotter’s approach recommended for its structured stakeholder engagement and long-term adaptability. A comprehensive risk analysis is provided through a detailed risk register and commentary, identifying key threats such as climate variability, seed shortages, and funding delays, along with proposed mitigation strategies. Overall, the assignment highlights the importance of integrating cultural sensitivity, adaptive leadership, stakeholder-driven change models, and proactive risk management to ensure the success and sustainability of large-scale environmental projects.49 0Item Restricted The impact of hosting the 2022 World Cup on promoting Sustainable Development in Qatar(Manchester Metropolitan University, 2024) Ismail, Yousef; Norrito, AlessioThe 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar provided a unique case study to examine mega-events impact on sustainable development in host nations. The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which the FIFA World Cup affected the country’s sustainability plan both in the environmental, social, economic and governance fronts. To cater for the impacts of carbon emissions for the occasion, the government employed some strategies that focused on sustainability as elaborated below; the use of modular structures to construct stadia, integration of renewable energy sources, and planting of trees for greening of urban space (Kucukvar et al.,2021). The efforts to promote innovation in the countries have been analysed in the study following the pillars of human development, governance, social returns and environmental perspective. The World Cup raised issues concerning infrastructure and sustainability in Qatar, it brought awareness for sustainability especially on infrastructures but at the same time, there were rising concerns with rate of sustainable development due to the high growth rates that were evident (Al-Emadi et al., 2016). It would be quantitative for environmental indicators and qualitative for the policies’ implementation as well as the views of the stakeholders (Ghanad,2023). This method made it possible for the research to gain an understanding of the different silicon encounters between mega-event host nations and sustainable development. This study's theoretical foundation rendered ideas of sustainable event management, resource management efficiency, and sustainable social benefits to evaluate the possibilities of Qatar's World Cup sustainability efficient strategies (Van der Waldt, 2020). The research protrudes knowledge of mega-events and sustainability by analysing how this event impacted Qatar's environmental politics, economy and social fabric (Brannagan & Reiche, 2022). To achieve these objectives, the researcher adopted a descriptive statistic, collecting data mainly through online survey questionnaire administered to a large sample of 150 participants who voluntarily participated in the study. Moreover, the research highlights a few positive correlations between the World Cup in Qatari human development and governance and the social side of sustainability. It led to education, health and technology reform and promoted intercultural understanding and national pride (Knudsen et al., 2020). Increased spending on training and capacity building of the local populace to host a world-class event illustrates an enhanced drive towards human development programmes (Al-Emadi et al., 2016). There were more substantial improvements in governance structures and decision-making processes in environmental policies and labour laws to meet the international and FIFA standards (Zumbrägel, 2021). The World Cup can also be used to construct Qatari culture and identity and enable the unification of people from all over the globe, allowing for increased interaction (Griffin, 2021). These social effects also did not end with the event but through event sustainable legacies that included public spaces, cultural institutions, and society community programs that infused the growth of Qatar's social fabric (Almarri, 2020). However, the study also reveals a complex and somewhat contradictory relationship between the World Cup and environmental sustainability in Qatar. As much as the research shows the progress made in developing energy-efficient stadiums and greenhouse technologies, research demonstrates adverse effects on the ecological dimensions of sustainable development (Azzali, 2019). The purported environmental benefits of hosting a mega-event like the World Cup may be overshadowed, at least in the short term, by the substantial ecological footprint resulting from extensive construction projects and the influx of international visitors (Luerdi, 2022). Examining the impact and consequence of this approach of development and accelerative growth, which conjoins with mega-events, the study enunciates the difficulty of adopting a concept that develops net positive environmental effects. The research adds prior knowledge to Sustainable Event Management and Resource Efficiency. It may be effectively used by future mega-event’s organisers and policymakers (Al-Dosari, 2020). It needs a long-term visionary approach, monitoring mega-events within sustainable development (Mohamed et al., 2022). According to the study, if correctly managed, mega-events could facilitate progress toward sustainable development goals. On the same note, there is a need to ensure sustainable Economic Development alongside social and Environmental Conservation23 0