Willingness of Residents in Riyadh to Live in Mixed Use Developments – A Quantitative Study

Abstract

The research project aimed to investigate the willingness of Riyadh residents to live in mixed- use developments. The literature review employed the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the hedonic pricing method. It also incorporated findings from previous studies that helped identify key variables affecting the willingness to reside in mixed-use developments. These variables include proximity to work, proximity to amenities, lifestyle preferences, cost-effectiveness, and privacy. These variables were subsequently utilized to formulate the research hypotheses. The study also examined how participant responses to these variables differed based on gender, income, age, and employment status. Surveys were administered to Riyadh residents using snowball sampling, resulting in a total of 253 responses. The research hypotheses were addressed using multiple regression analysis, independent sample t-tests, and Pearson's correlation. The study found that proximity to work, cost-effectiveness, and privacy are indeed relevant factors influencing the willingness of Riyadh residents to live in mixed-use developments. However, proximity to amenities and desire for a certain lifestyle did not show a significant impact. The analysis of the responses based on gender, age, and employment status through independent sample t-tests revealed no significant differences. The only variable that displayed a notable difference was income. This analysis showed that privacy emerged as the sole significant variable. Individuals earning between 100,000 and 200,000 SAR annually, as well as those earning 200,000 SAR or more per annum, exhibited greater concern for privacy in relation to living in mixed-use developments. They were also more inclined to consider such living arrangements favourably if privacy concerns were adequately