Toward 2030: Greening the Urban Superblock of Post-oil Saudi Cities.

摘要

After World War II, Saudi Arabia experienced rapid growth in its population and aggressive urbanization because of the new petroleum-based economy that replaced one based on agriculture. The Arabian-American Oil Company (ARAMCO) played a significant role as it promoted progress through the abandonment of traditional pedestrian neighborhoods in favor of automobile "suburban." The new gridiron blocks were an adoption of a whole new type of residential street layout along with new villa-type dwellings based mainly on Western precedents. ARAMCO first introduced this type of detached "single-family" unit in 1938 to its privileged employee camps in Dhahran. This new "outward-looking" dwelling type abandoned the "inward-looking" quality of the traditional Saudi house. This new style established a radically different relationship between the public (streets) and private (dwelling) spaces. Subsequent development associated with the C. A. Doxiadis Plan (1968--72) led to the introduction of the "superblock." Ultimately, this attempt at contemporary Western-based housing failed to identify with the local habitat and reflect its climate and culture. The square lot and absence of internal gardens in the new type of housing did not offer an adequate design that enhanced the living environment. To protect and improve the quality of people's lives, which lies at the heart of the interaction between the physical environment and nature, this research seeks to respond to the goals set forth in the "Saudi Vision of 2030" by developing a habitable model of sustainable post-oil Saudi cities. The analytical evaluations of this study propose three major principles: minimize the square lot of the residential block, modify the existing internal spatial program of the villa-type house, and provide direct access to a green space (i.e., gardens) for every resident. These suggestions, if implemented, would play a vital role in promoting urban green spaces in the superblock that thus, improves the individual and collective well-being.