The effects of urban design on people's experiences and satisfaction in Taif city: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Cities play a central role in shaping positive and negative human experiences. In particular, urban design has a profound impact on people's lives, affecting their sense of place, well-being, and overall quality of life. It is a complex and dynamic field that encompasses physical, social, and environmental aspects of urban environments. In Saudi Arabia, the urban form has rapidly evolved in recent years; however, little is known about its effects on the experiences of people living and working in these urban spaces. This study examines the effects of urban design on people's experiences in Saudi Arabia from a city-life perspective. This study investigated the effect of design of the urban environment on people and filled the gap in the literature by examining the connection between the design of a city and the subjective experiences of the urban residents of a city in Saudi Arabia. There is a new vision for 2030 for big cities in Saudi Arabia that plans to enhance the quality of life of its residents. Taif city is one of these cities, therefore, it is important to study the effects on the residents there. This research provides valuable insights into the development of more liveable and sustainable urban environments in Saudi Arabian cities. This study adopted quantitative data collected through a survey which included questions measuring multiple aspects of urban life. The results predicted that people in Taif would face a jeopardised level of satisfaction as not all elements of the urban form met the desired standards. Therefore, their experiences will be negative if the noted concerns are not improved.