Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

STATE OF
URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
IN AL-QASSIM
KEY STATISTICS IN 13 URBAN AREAS, 2020

I
 STATE OF
URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
IN AL-QASSIM
KEY STATISTICS IN 13 URBAN AREAS, 2020

Qassim Urban Observatory, a global model for Local Urban Observatories

 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Foreword

Eng. Mohammad bin Mubarak Al-Mejally,

Mayor of Al-Qassim Province

Many cities across the world continue to face significant challenges associated with lack of good quality, relevant,
accessible and timely data that responds to their prevailing needs, and that helps them to anticipate and respond
to urban challenges. Such was the challenge we faced in Al-Qassim Region just a decade ago, which motivated
us to develop the Qassim Urban Observatory to help monitor socioeconomic trends in Buraidah city. Today, the
observatory has expanded to cover the entire Al-Qassim Region, which enables consistent collection, collation and
comparison of urban data across all cities and urban centres in the region. This has been achieved through the
leadership and commitment of His Royal Highness Dr. Faisal Bin Mashal Al Saud, Governor of Al-Qassim Region
and Chairperson of the Qassim Urban Observatory Council, who has consistently identified the observatory as
an instrumental mechanism for evidence-based decision-making owing to its ability to generate various urban
indicators in support of development across sectors.

I am delighted to present this State of Urban Development in Al-Qassim Report, which is the fruit of many years of
cooperation between the observatory and UN-Habitat’s Data and Analytics Unit – the global coordinator of the Urban
Observatory network. The report, which comes only two years after the launch of the Voluntary Local Review on
SDG 11 for the city of Buraidah (the first of its kind in the Middle East) is yet another major milestone for the Qassim
Urban Observatory, and shows the significance of locally produced data in both demonstrating progress towards
achieving our development goals and supporting data-driven decisions.

In this report, which has been developed using data produced by the Qassim Urban Observatory between 2016 and
2018, you will find in-depth and insightful analysis on what is happening in the 13 main cities in Al-Qassim Region
in the areas of urbanization, socioeconomic trends, infrastructure development and connectivity, social capital and
urban governance. The report also presents some experiences on how findings and recommendations based on data
from the Qassim Urban Observatory have already contributed to decision-making and targeted investments at the
city and regional levels, resulting in improved quality of life for the urban residents.

Beyond this report, we continue to advance our commitment to the urban observatory model through which we
seek, continuously, to produce accurate and up-to-date data based on the global and national standards and agreed
upon methodologies; as well to advocate for more use of data in decision-making processes.

IV
 Mr. Robert Ndugwa,
Chief, Data and Analytics Unit, UN-Habitat

Accurate, up-to-date and relevant data and information helps city authorities and decision makers to respond better to
urban challenges and needs and to allocate scarce resources appropriately. Regular generation of relevant, accurate
and reliable data also supports monitoring of progress against local development frameworks (such as city, regional and
national development plans) and global agendas, such as the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda.

UN-Habitat developed the urban observatory model to assist cities and countries in strengthening their data capacities
and to guide them in collation, analysis and translation of the data into easily understood information able to support
decision-making processes. Urban observatories aim to leverage local technology, innovation and analytical capabilities
while supporting capacity-building, urban data literacy and awareness. They also seek to manage local partnerships
and coordination of data originating from government departments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations,
the media, academia and communities at large. This partnership, in turn, promotes good practices and principles in data
sharing, open data and data rights.

Over the years, the urban observatory model has become a major data collection tool and decision support system in
many cities. Today, UN-Habitat coordinates and supports activities in its network of more than 300 urban observatories
spread in all world regions. Within this network, the Qassim Urban Observatory has consistently demonstrated the value
of urban observatories in local city data production and their usage in decision-making processes. Some of the notable
achievements by the Qassim Urban Observatory include its expansion to cover all cities in Al-Qassim Region as opposed
only to its capital, Buraidah; its continuous production of time-series as well as new data points to respond to emerging
local challenges; its network of partnerships and collaborations (across the Saudi Government, private sector, academia,
international organizations and local communities); as well as continuous progress reporting against a diversity of
indicators, such as through the recently released voluntary local review on SDG 11 for Buraidah city themed “Buraidah
attractive to live and work”.

The current report is yet another achievement for the Qassim Urban Observatory, and a great testimony of the value
of locally produced and city-level data in progress monitoring and reporting. The report is based on more than 200
indicators whose data have been produced and compiled from official statistics and other sources by the observatory,
employing methodologies developed by UN-Habitat, other United Nations agencies, the Government of the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, as well as those formulated by the observatory in coordination with its partner network. The spatial scale
covered in this report – wherein performances of 13 cities within the region presents comparisons of intra and intercity
performances against diverse urban contexts, setting a new benchmark for urban observatories across the globe.

Based on this report and our experience working with the Qassim and other urban observatories worldwide, local
observatories possess the capability to deal with the chronic lack of city-level data across countries and can
contribute significantly to data-driven decision-making processes, which are key to ensuring attainment of sustainable
urbanization where no one and no place is left behind.

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Acknowledgements

Al-Qassim Municipality

Mohammad bin Mubarak Al Mejally - Mayor of Al-Qassim Province

Khaled Ibrahim Al Hudaib - Deputy Mayor for Urban Development
Abdulhakeem Abdullah Al Reshoodi - Director of Urban Planning - Rapporteur of the Executive
Committee of the Urban Observatory
Aref Attia Al Shamandy - Director of Al-Qassim Region Projects, AFM Consultants and Sustainable
Development Expert.
Mohamed Mubarak Alshareef - Buraidah Urban Observatory Manager

UN-Habitat contributors

Dennis Mwaniki - Spatial Data Expert, Data and Analytics Unit, Knowledge and Innovations Branch
Donatien Beguy - Demographer, Data and Analytics Unit, Knowledge and Innovations Branch
Robert Ndugwa - Chief, Data and Analytics Unit, Knowledge and Innovations Branch
Ayman El-Hefnawi - Team Leader, UN-Habitat in Saudi Arabia
Bader Aldawsari - UN-Habitat in Saudi Arabia

Editor - Olu Sarr

Design & Layout - Dennis Koech

Data Source: The data used for maps, graphs and tables in this report are from the Qassim Urban
Observatory 2018 Indicators Database, otherwise the sources are indicated.

VI
Executive Summary

Cities are like living organisms that experience rapid physical and virtual infrastructure. This high connectivity
changes depending on prevailing conditions. As a result, makes the focus cities accessible and reduces wastage
they require a clear data production system through and system losses in the production processes while
which high quality data can be produced on a regular expanding the markets for locally produced goods and
basis. This system is, however, missing in most cities services. The high Internet connectivity across all cities
around the world, where lack of accurate, relevant, up-to- links their residents to a vast global marketplace where
date and disaggregated data on many key development they can interact, trade and generate incomes.
indicators is common. In addition, many cities face the
challenge of limited data usage in the decision-making Chapter three unpacks Al-Qassim’s social capital stocks,
processes, which often results in policies and investments which are key enablers of urban prosperity. The chapter
not responding to the most pressing needs of their highlights that cities in Al-Qassim perform quite well in
populations. UN-Habitat developed the urban observatory most of the social capital indicators, which significantly
model to simplify the complexities surrounding city- increases the region’s chances of accelerated prosperity.
level data production and sharing, as well as a tool for It, however, also identifies high levels of unemployment
encouraging data usage for decision-making processes among a highly literate youthful population as well as
while also promoting community participation and lack of economic diversification, which may be a key
feedback. impediment to the region’s progress towards sustainable
development for all.
This report illustrates how the model has been applied in
Al-Qassim Region to produce data on a diversity of urban Chapter four provides an overview of the urban
indicators for 13 of its main cities. Additionally, the report governance structure in the focus cities, with particular
shares experiences on how the data have been used emphasis on budgeting and resource allocation, citizen
to inform decision-making processes and investments engagement in the decision-making processes and
throughout the region. resource allocation and distribution, and how these
influence the local urban development trends. The
Chapter one presents the 13 focus cities and illustrates chapter highlights weaknesses in urban governance as a
how each has grown spatially and demographically over major concern in Al-Qassim, with most cities relying too
time as well as how the observed growth trends impact much on central revenues and experiencing low levels of
the region’s urban prosperity today and into the future. public participation in decision-making processes.
The major finding of this chapter is that, historically, cities
in Al-Qassim have expanded rapidly without clear urban This report, which has been compiled in partnership with
development guidelines, posing significant challenges to UN-Habitat, attests to the commitment of the Qassim
the region’s orderly growth and major risks to the future Urban Observatory to produce, continuously, up-to-date
of its agricultural productivity. and relevant data which responds to local, national
and global monitoring requirements. The report also
Chapter two highlights the existing physical and virtual demonstrates the dedication of Al-Qassim Municipality
infrastructure in the cities, and how the prevailing trends and other regional governments to use data to guide
are likely to impact on the region’s performance against decisions and investments. The report compliments other
various indicators of urban prosperity. The main finding publications by the Qassim Urban Observatory, such as
is that cities in Al-Qassim are highly connected to others the Voluntary Local Review for Buraidah (2018) and the
within the region, the rest of the country, and to those Livability Report for Buraidah (2019).
across the globe through the intertwined network of

VII
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

VIII

© Ekrem Osmanoglu / Unsplash

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Urbanization trends in Al-Qassim region

1.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Overview of Al-Qassim Region ............................................................................................................. 3
1.3 Demographic trends in Al-Qassim region............................................................................................. 7
1.4 Al-Qassim’s urban structure.................................................................................................................. 11
1.5 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 20

Chapter 2 Linked settlements for enhanced interactions and expanded opportunities

2.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 22
2.2 Physical connectivity in Al-Qassim ....................................................................................................... 23
2.3 Virtual connectivity opening new growth opportunities for Al-Qassim cities........................................ 29
2.4 Conclusion............................................................................................................................................ 32

Chapter 3 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development

3.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 34
3.2 Employment and poverty trends in Al Qasssim region.......................................................................... 35
3.3 Health status and access to health services......................................................................................... 39
3.4 Al-Qassim’s cities record high literacy levels, perform well in education indicators............................. 43
3.5 Cities in Al-Qassim enjoy adequate housing......................................................................................... 47
3.6 Al-Qassim’s cites depict huge variations in access to basic services.................................................... 49

Chapter 4 Governance for prosperity: Experiences from Al-Qassim cities

4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 58

4.2 The urban governance system in Al-Qassim’s cities make it is easy to start a business........................ 59
4.3 Al-Qassim’s cities rely overly on national revenues for their budgets; invest very little on capital
expenditure.......................................................................................................................................... 60
4.4 Al-Qassim cities perform poorly in public participation, but their residents are significantly satisfied with
prevailing service provision.................................................................................................................. 62

Conclusion and Recommendations ............................................................................................... 65

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

List of figures

Figure 1.1 Al-Qassim governorates and studied cities............................................................................................................ 4

Figure 1.2 Population by region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (,000)................................................................................ 7
Figure 1.3 Population distribution in the main urban areas of Al-Qassim.............................................................................. 8
Figure 1.4 Annual population growth rate in Al-Qassim urban areas.................................................................................... 9
Figure 1.5 Population density measures in the main urban areas of Al-Qassim.................................................................... 10
Figure 1.6 Distribution of settlements in Al-Qassim Region................................................................................................... 12
Figure 1.7 Main urban areas/ cities......................................................................................................................................... 13
Figure 1.8 Strip / Linear Development.................................................................................................................................... 14
Figure 1.9 Trends in annual rate of urban land consumption (LCR) 1990–2000 and 2000–2018........................................ 15
Figure 1.10 Evolution of urban areas between 1990 and 2018.............................................................................................. 17
Figure 1.11 Conversion of agricultural land to urbanized uses in Al Badayaa between 2004 and 2019................................ 19
Figure 2.1 Road and rail connectivity to Al-Qassim................................................................................................................ 23
Figure 2.2 Major flight destinations from Al-Qassim Region................................................................................................. 24
Figure 2.3 Share of land allocated to streets and intersection densities in Al-Qassim’s cities............................................. 26
Figure 2.4 Street patterns in Al Mithnab and Buraidah cities................................................................................................ 27
Figure 2.5 Transport mode to work by city in Al-Qassim Region........................................................................................... 28
Figure 2.6 Time spent in transport network by city............................................................................................................... 29
Figure 2.7 Internet connectivity and usage in Al-Qassim’s cities........................................................................................... 30
Figure 2.8 Phone and personal computer ownership per 1,000 population in Al-Qassim’s cities........................................ 31
Figure 2.9 Internet usage for regional government transactions in Al-Qassim’s cities......................................................... 32
Figure 3.1 Proportion of population below international and national poverty lines............................................................. 35
Figure 3.2 Percentage of female employees in government departments........................................................................... 37
Figure 3.3 Distribution of employment by sector.................................................................................................................. 38
Figure 3.4 Fertility rates in Al-Qassim’s cities........................................................................................................................ 39
Figure 3.5 Average travel time to health services................................................................................................................. 40
Figure 3.6 Access to health care and cost of health care by city.......................................................................................... 42
Figure 3.7 Literacy levels in Al-Qassim cities......................................................................................................................... 44
Figure 3.8 Type of housing tenure in Al-Qassim’s cities ....................................................................................................... 47
Figure 3.9 Household access to basic services (water, electricity and sanitation)................................................................ 51
Figure 4.1 Number of days to start a business in Al-Qassim.................................................................................................. 59
Figure 4.2 Expenditure on wages and recurrent expenditure in Al-Qassim.......................................................................... 60
Figure 4.3 Source of revenue and revenue collection efficiency in Al-Qassim’s cities......................................................... 61
Figure 4.4 Citizen satisfaction with government and municipal services in Al-Qassim......................................................... 63

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 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

List of tables

Table 1.1: Conversion of land use from non-urbanized to urbanized in Al-Qassim’s cities.................................................... 16
Table 3.1: Health indicators by city......................................................................................................................................... 41
Table 3.2: Education indicators in Al-Qassim’s cities............................................................................................................. 45
Table 3.3: Housing indicators in Al-Qassim Cities (2018)....................................................................................................... 48
Table 3.4: Housing production and occupancy trends in select cities................................................................................... 49
Table 3.5: Water consumption and waste management trends in Al-Qassim’s cities........................................................... 53

List of boxes

Box 1.1: Main cities in Al-Qassim region................................................................................................................................... 5

Box 3.1: Urban safety, a challenge for enhanced investments and productivity..................................................................... 36
Box 3.2: Agriculture is a main land use and economic activity in Al-Qassim.......................................................................... 38
Box 3.3: Increasing service delivery efficiency: the panacea for Al-Qassim’s universal urban access to basic services?..... 50
Box 3.4: Al-Qassim’s high precipitation contributes to reliance on rainwater for city water supply....................................... 52
Box 3.5: Lifestyle and disease prevalence increases risk of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 in Al-Qassim’s cities... 54

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Qassim Urban Observatory, supporting local data collection and

data-driven decisions and investments
The Qassim Urban Observatory was set up in 2009 to Observatory Council, the facility was formed to produce
respond to the need for timely and relevant data required data at the city level in line with the local, national
to offset the numerous challenges brought about by the and global development agenda and priorities, and to
rapid expansion of Buraidah city. Through the vision and promote the use of data for decision-making as well as
leadership of His Royal Highness Faisal Bin Mashal Al investment processes.
Saud, Prince of Al-Qassim Region, chairman of Urban

© Launching Buraidah’s Voluntary Local Review (VLR), 25 Dec. 2018.

HRH the Governor of Qassim and Chairperson of Qassim’s Urban Observatory Council Launches Voluntary
Local Review (VLR) report on SDG 11 for the city of Buraidah, the first of its kind in the Middle East.

Over the last 10 years, the observatory has grown Qassim Region, Chairman of Urban Observatory Council,
significantly in terms of the number of indicators it covers the observatory’s mandate was expanded to cover the
and in the spatial scope of its activities. At inception, for whole region. This was a decision that today ensures
example, the observatory only monitored 84 indicators, consistent collection, collation and comparison of urban
which has today increased to 229. The indicators data across all cities and urban centres in the region. This
cover a wide range of sectors including economy, measure makes it possible to track progress and inform
infrastructure, social inclusion, transport, housing, region-wide decision-making processes. It also presents
environment, governance, tourism, and agriculture. a uniform approach to collecting and managing data and
In 2019, after 10 years of focused monitoring only in tracking performance against local, national and global
Buraidah city, and following the directive of His Royal agendas within the region.
Highness Faisal Bin Mashal Al Saud, the prince of Al-

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 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

Number of indicators monitored by the Qassim Urban Observatory from official statistics of the kingdom’s General Authority
for Statistics, Government departments, civil society
institutions and the private sector. Alternatively, they can
be computed using data from censuses and surveys. The
collected data generally falls within two broad categories:
i) indicators that respond to the local city and national
development priorities (for example, the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and National Transformation
84 Indicators 229 Indicators Programme 2023), and ii) indicators that respond to
(2009) (2019) global commitments (for example, the SDGs, and the Paris
Agreement on climate change).

Throughout its existence, the observatory has sought This State of Cities in Qassim Region Report presents an
to innovate and consistently adopt the latest methods analysis of the level of urban development in 13 cities
in producing the urban indicators at national and and urban areas in the region using data produced
international levels, continuously align its data activities to by the observatory from 2016 through 2018. Each of
decision-making processes, and to promote partnerships the 13 cities represent the biggest urban areas in each
with local and international agencies. Through its governorate, and include Buraidah (the region’s capital),
innovativeness, the observatory produced in 2018 the Unaizah, Ar-Rass, Mithnab, Al-Bakiriyah, Al-Badaya’a,
first voluntary local review in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Riyadh Al-Khabra, Al-Asyah, Nabhanya, Uyun Al Jiwa,
through which it reported progress against Sustainable Al Shammasiya, Oklat AlSkoor and Daria. The report
Development Goal 11 (“Make cities and human provides insights into the urban performance of the entire
settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”) Al-Qassim Region and undertakes a comparative analysis
in Buraidah city. The 2018 report not only put the city in of performances of all cities in the territory against
the global picture in terms of local-level reporting, it also nationally and globally set benchmarks. The report also
gave a solid baseline against which the city’s monitoring makes recommendations on key investment areas for
and progress towards achieving urban goals and targets enhanced urban prosperity and sustainability in the
could be tracked. region.

Data and evidence generated through the observatory

have influenced several decisions and investments in
Qassim over the last decade. For example, between
2009 and 2019, the observatory’s studies and data on the
main urban and social issues affecting cities in the region
have been used by the urban authorities, through the
relevant committees, to propose policies and actions to “Al-Qassim Urban Observatory is an
respond to the emerging urban challenges. These have instrumental mechanism for evidence-based
resulted in investments that have contributed directly to decision-making as it generates various
improved quality of life for the region’s urban residents. urban indicators in support of development
across sectors”
The observatory is committed to continuing the
production of accurate, timely and up-to-date data - HRH Dr. Faisal Bin Mashal Al-Saud, Governor of Al-Qassim and
throughout Al-Qassim Region, and to promoting use of Chairperson of Qassim Urban Observatory Council
such data to inform decisions and actions in response to
the 2030 call for actions where no one and no place is
left behind. Within the observatory, indicators are taken

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Urbanization trends
CHAPTER 1

in Al-Qassim Region

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 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

1.1 Introduction

A city’s urban form and structure, its rate of spatial risks of food insecurity and loss of livelihoods among
expansion, its population change as well as its economic rural communities, which is similarly an unsustainable
prospects are key indicators of its prosperity, level of urbanization model.
livability as well as its status and potential for attaining
sustainability. A city that expands rapidly without This chapter analyses how Al-Qassim, as a region, as
proper planning and a corresponding upgrade of its well as the 13 cities which are the focus of this report
basic infrastructure and services is likely to experience have grown spatially and demographically over time and
growth of informal developments, increased inequalities how these growth trends impact on the region’s urban
and unsustainable development models. Equally, a prosperity today and will do so in future.
city that expands rapidly into agricultural land faces

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

1.2 Overview of Al-Qassim Region

AI-Qassim is one of the 13 administrative regions of the agricultural products include dates and other fruits, wheat
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The region, located almost at and vegetables. The region also hosts one of the world’s
the centre of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula biggest cattle markets.
covers 73,000 km2, accounting for about 3.2 per cent
of the kingdom’s area. The region is divided into 13 The region’s history dates to the 9th Hijri century. Due
governorates: Buraidah (capital of the governorate), Al to its important location at the junction of major trade
Asyah, Uyun Al Jiwa, Al Badaya’a, Al Bakiriyah, Daria, routes, the region has witnessed a variety of historical
Al Mithnab, Al Nabhanya, Ar Rass, Riyadh Al Khabra, Al events, most of which are closely tied to the Zubaidah
Shammasiya, Unaizah and Oklat AlSkoor (see figure 1.1). route, which begins in Iraq, traverses Al-Qassim and ends
in Makkah Al Mukaramah. This route has been used by
Al-Qassim borders Hail Region to the north and north- Hajj caravans for centuries; the wells dug by Zubaidah,
west, the Northern Border Region to the northeast, Riyadh wife of the Caliph Haroon Al Rasheed to supply pilgrims
Region to the south and east, and Medina Region to the with water still exist today.1 Over the years hundreds
west and south-west (see figure 1.1). The centrality of Al- of settlements consisting of cities, towns, villages
Qassim within Saudi Arabia makes it an important transit and Bedouin settlements have grown throughout the
route between different parts of the kingdom, which is region, each depicting unique characteristics which are
augmented by the interconnected mesh of highways, connected to the history, the local populations, economic
railways and air routes which traverse the region. activities or intra and interregional linkages.

Al-Qassim is commonly known as the country’s “food Figure 1.1 shows the distribution of the 13 main urban
basket” because it is its most agriculturally productive areas in Al-Qassim Region, which are analyzed at depth
region. Its high agricultural productivity is closely throughout this report. Each urban area exhibits unique
attributed to high levels of ground water in the region as physical, sociodemographic economic and environmental
well as a mean annual rainfall of 100 mm, compared with characteristics as summarized in box 1.1.
the yearly national average of 59 mm. The region’s main

73,000 Km² 100 mm

Area of Al-Qassim region. The mean annual
(3.2% of KSA) precipitation/rainfall of Al-
Qassim

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 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

Figure 1.1 Al-Qassim governorates and studied cities

Ar'ar

Sakakah
Al-Jouf Northern Borders
Tabuk
Tabouk
Ha'il

Hail Ad Dammam
Buraydah
Al-Qassim

Medina Riyadh
Al-Madinah
Al-Riyad Eastern Region

Mecca Al- Asyah

Makkah
Al Bahah
Al-Baha
Najran
Aseer
Abha

Najran
Jizan Emara_Buraidah
Jazan Al- Asyah
Uyun Al-Jiwa

UyunAl-Jiwa
AL-Shammasiya
Al Bakiriyah
Riyadh Al-Khabra Buraidah
AL-Shammasiya
Emara_Buraidah
Al_Bakiriyah
Riyadh Al-Khabra
Unaizah
Riyadh Al-Khabra
Riyadh Al-Khabra Unaizah AL-Shammasiya
Oklat_AlSkoor Al_Badayea
Al_Mithnab
Oklat_AlSkoor Al_Nabhanya Ar_Rass
Al-Badaya'a Al_Mithnab

Ar_Rass
Emara_Buraidah
Al_Nabhanya

Al-Qassim is a region at the

cross-roads between history and
modernity. From ancient villages
and merchant and pilgrimage
routes dating back centuries Daria
to modern urban settlements, Daria
Al-Qassim is the manifestation Kilometers
of centuries of innovation 0 50 100
and perhaps the most unique
interactions between human and
natural ecosystems in the whole
of Saudi Arabia.

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

BOX 1.1 Main cities in Al-Qassim region

BURAIDAH
Buraidah, the capital and largest city of Al-Qassim region, lies along the important link between
Medina and the national capital Riyadh. The main economic activities in Buraidah include
administrative functions, trade and commerce. Despite accounting for a low share of the
nation’s agriculture to the economy, Buraidah is the main producer of best-quality dates.

UNAIZAH
Unaizah city is located in the water-rich and highly agricultural Unaizah Governorate. The city
has a rich history, with archeological surveys indicating that there were had been intensive
settlements in the area since the third century B.C., and was a key resting place for pilgrims
coming from Iraq.

AR RASS
Ar Rass, is a desert city that lies above the Arabian Shield, a hard rock layer of land that covers
the earth's surface in the western part of Qassim Region. The city relies largely on trade, and
has major commercial services which serve its residents and the surrounding towns, villages
and abandonments. Despite its water limitations (associated to its desert location), the city is
locally famous for cultivating dates and hot pepper.

MITHNAB CITY
Al Mithnab, the city at the convergence of valleys and reefs is famed for its rich soils and
abundance of water, parks and green areas. While trade is the most important economic
activity, Al Mithnab has a thriving agricultural economy.

AL BAKIRIYAH
This city grew from a single farm to become the first health city in Saudi Arabia (2016) and
the entire Middle East. The city is centrally located within Al-Qassim Region, putting it within
proximity to many other towns. It is one of the important agricultural towns within the region
and is rich in parks and green areas.

AL-BADAYA’A CITY
Al-Badaya'a is the agricultural capital of Al-Qassim Region, owing to its abundance of water,
and fertile agricultural land. The city also prides itself of several factories, which include a water
packaging factory, a date factory, pharmaceutical industries, among others

RIYADH AL-KHABRA
Riyadh Al-Khabra is at the centre of Al-Qassim Region, and is transected by the old Riyadh-
Qassim-Medina road. Its central location between Riyadh and Medina, its connectivity through
roads, and its abundance of water makes it distinctive and attractive for investment, making
trade and commerce the most important economic activities. The city (and Riyadh Al-Khabra
Governorate at large) is famed for its high-quality wheat, dates, vegetables and fruits.

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 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

AL ASYAH
Located in Al Asyah Governorate, Al Asyah city was one of most famous places in Al-Qassim
in the first centuries that followed the introduction of Islam. The city was an important station
on the pilgrimage road to Makkah and Medina, and an important corridor for the convoys of
merchants travelling from Persia, Iraq and Mesopotamia to Najd and Hijaz.

NABHANYA
The city of Nabhanya sits in an area famous for palm cultivation. The city is considered the
main financier for neighbouring markets and is a main link to export markets for dates. Water is
very rare in Nabhanya due to its location in the Arabian Shield.

UYUN AL-JIWA
This old settlement at the centre of Al-Qassim Region is only 30 km from the Buraidah, making
it a key trading area. Residents of Uyun Al Jiwa city are distinguished by their distinctive dialect
from other governorates of AI-Qassim, and are also known as traders and for their honesty.

AL SHAMASIYA
Al Shammasiya city, the green valley and the eastern gateway of Al-Qassim Region is marked
by its unique landscape, which extends between agricultural lands and sandy hills that had an
impact in determining the city’s urban formation and growth trends. "Al-Jal park is an important
attraction for the city, with some residents of the surrounding cities such as Buraydah (only 23
km away) reported to visit it over the weekends to enjoy nature and uniquely designed seats
which safeguard the privacy of families and youth.

OKLAT ALSKOOR
Oklat AlSkoor, the western gateway to Al-Qassim on the Riyadh–Medina road, is about 220 km
from Buraidah. Oklat AlSkoor is characterized by its proximity to the “cotton” tourist mountains
and its proximity to the Skhirat gold mine and the famous Mount Tamiya. The city is also
penetrated by the Valley of Rumah, which is one of the largest and most historically rich valleys
of Saudi Arabia. The city’s central location between a group of centres and villages and its
proximity to the borders of Hail and Medina regions make it an important trading centre.

DARIA
Daria, the city between mountains is considered to be one of the most important centres of
the pilgrimage of Basra road. The city is characterized by its many mountains and valleys and
charming areas that attract hikers.

6
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

1.3 Demographic trends in Al-Qassim region

Since its establishment as a was consistently about one fifth that Qassim’s 1,009,543 people (that is to
governance region, its population of the two most populous regions say 70.9 per cent) were Saudis split
has been increasing steadily, with the in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh and Makkah into 511,037 males (50.6 per cent)
majority of its residents being Saudis. (see figure 1.2). In 2017, 4.4 per and 498,506 females (49.4 per cent).
Over the 25 years spanning 1992 cent of Saudi Arabia’s population Non-Saudis accounted for 414,392 of
to 2017, the Al-Qassim’s population lived in Al-Qassim, making it the the totals made up of 310,273 males
rose from 750,979 to 1,423,935. seventh most populated region in (74.9 per cent) and 104,119 females
Throughout this period, its population the kingdom. In 2017, most of Al- (25.1 per cent).

Figure 1.2 Population by region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (,000)

Population in Al-Qassim
508
440

over time
362
268

365
280
229
321

Al-Jouf
Northern Borders
1,423,935
692
792
710
486

2007
Tabouk
700
597
527
411

7900

Hail
750,979
1424
1216
1016
751

1992
8216

4106
3360

Al-Qassim
2133

6777

2576
1778
1513
1085

5458
8558

3835

Al-Madinah
6915

Eastern Region
5797
4468

Al-Riyad

Makkah
2212
1913
1688

582
1340

506
476
378

420
332
412

301

Legend Al-Baha Najran

Aseer
1992
1568
1365
1188

2004
866

2014
Jazan
Kilometers
2017 0 50 100 200 300 400

7
 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

The majority of Al-Qassim’s people Observatory’s 2018 statistics, the Unaizah’s, the region’s second
live in the urban areas. In all the Buraidah city area hosted 668,525 largest city, and exceeded the
13 cities presented in this report, residents, which accounted for combined populations of the other 12
there are more males than females. about 47 per cent of the region’s cities, making Buraidah a primate city
According to the Qassim Urban population. This population tripled within Al-Qassim (see figure 1.3).

Figure 1.3 Population distribution in the main urban areas of Al-Qassim

800000 80

700,000 70

Percentage population by gender

600,000 60
Total Population

500,000 50

400,000 40

300,000 30

200,000 20

100,000 10

0 0

Total Population Males Female

8
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

In 2018, nine of the 13 cities in Al Khabra was the fastest urbanizing (see figure 1.4). Across the 13 cities,
Al-Qassim recorded an annual city, with an annual population the average household size was 6
population growth rate exceeding growth rate of 6.2 per cent, while people, and ranged from a low of 5.4
3 per cent, compared with the Uyun Al Jiwa was the slowest with in Al Mithnab to a high of 6.5 in Al
kingdom’s average of 2.2 per cent a recorded rate of only 1.6 per cent Nabhanya.
for the 2015–2020 period2. Riyadh

Figure 1.4 Annual population growth rate in Al-Qassim urban areas

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Buraidah 3.67

Unaizah 2.8

Ar Rass 2.5

Al Mithnab 3.2

Al Bakiriyah 3

Al Badaya'a 4.3

Riyadh Al Khabra 6.2

Al Asyah 3.3

Al Nabhanya 3.5

Uyun Al Jiwa 1.6

Al Shammasiya 2.1

Oklat AlSkoor 4.3

Daria 3.6

2.2%
Average annual population growth rate 6 People
in Al-Qassim (2018). Average household size.

9
 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

Spatially, Buraidah is the largest city existing as unplanned open land (see However, when the built-up area per
in the region, covering a total 913.6 section 1.4.). person/capita measure is used (which
km2, which is six times the area of is a good indication of a city’s density
Unaizah (150 km2 ); and is greater As shown in figure 1.5, this translates and compactness), Buraidah, with a
than the combined areas of all the to relatively lower population density, built up area of 114 m2 per capita, is
other 12 cities. However, s spatial which makes Buraidah the eighth the second most dense city after Al
expanse is not directly proportional most dense city in the region with Nabhanya, whose built-up area per
to its population, with large parts 732 persons per km2, far behind capita is 185 m2.i)
of the city either being planned or Unaizah’s 1,315 persons per km2.

Figure 1.5 Population density measures in the main urban areas of Al-Qassim

1400 400

1200 350

Built up area per capita (m2/person)

300
Population density (persons/km2)

1000

250
800
200
600
150

400
100

200 50

0 0

Population Density (Persons/Km2) Land consumption per capita (m2/person)

913.6 Km² 1,315 Persons/Km² 114 m²/Capita

Buraidah is the largest city in Unaizah is the most dense Al Nabhanya has the lowest
the region city in the region built up area per capita in
the region

i). A low built up area per capita indicates that more people occupy less space and hence a higher density

10
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

As a region, Qassim enjoys a youthful population, who account for 35.1 per cent of residents and of the ages 15–34
years. This, in addition to a high population share of those aged 35–59 years (35.2 per cent), implies a high workforce
throughout the region, which is key for enhanced productivity in the different sectors of the economy.

1.4 Al-Qassim’s urban structure

The location of Al-Qassim within a and expansive farmlands throughout throughout the region, the majority
highly productive part of the country the region, with a unique clustering of which are concentrated around
and above the Arabian Shield implies of settlements within a 70Km radius governorate capitals or along the
that most of the land is either under from Buraidah, as well as along road network. All settlements in Al-
agriculture or covered by desert. A the Riyadh-Medina highway (see Qassim are connected through a web
network of cities, towns and villages figure 1.6). Many other dispersed of highways and roads that also link
juxtapose with the sandy landscapes settlements and villages also exist them to towns and cities.

11
 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

Figure 1.6 Distribution of settlements in Al-Qassim Region

Legend
Al-Qassim region
Settlements
Major towns
Major roads

Kilometers
0 50 100

Map Data Sources: Qassim Urban Observatory (boundaries and city metadata), DLR (built up layer
based on WSF 2018), Streets (openstreetmap)

12
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Al-Qassim’s urban structure is a depicts a multi-nodal urban form Within this regional urban structure,
manifestation of a history of keeping whose core is Buraidah city from Buraidah provides the highest order
abreast with the national urbanization where multiple nodes (constituting goods and services. This includes
trends throughout Saudi Arabia as varied sized urban areas) spread high-level connectivity to other parts
well as the local need for enhanced outwards and into all governorates. of the country and the world; for
production (agricultural) and The nodes are connected to the core example, through its network of air
expanding markets for agricultural through the Riyadh-Qassim and the routes. The smallest nodes provide
produce through enhanced Buraidah-Medina-Jeddah highways local services to outlying villages and
connectivity. Regionally, Al-Qassim and their branches (see figure 1.7). rural areas (see figure 1.7).

Figure 1.7 Distribution of settlements in Al-Qassim Region

Main urban areas/ cities

Connectivity on land

Connectivity via air

Riy
ad
h-Q
as
sim
Hig
hw
ay

Buraidah

ay
ghw
dah Hi
- Jed
ina
Med
h–
Buraida

Kilometers
0 50 100

Source: UN-Habitat / Qassim Urban Observatory 2020

13
 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

In terms of urban form, most of the urban areas depict some form of compactness, with the size of each cluster
depending on the city’s spatial extent and population size. Some urban areas, especially the smaller ones, depict a
linear settlement form. However, historical growth trends indicate increasing compactness as opposed to linear growth
as shown in figure 1.8.

Figure 1.8 Linear developments in Al Asyah city, showing increasing compactness

Strip / Linear Development

City boundary
1990 Built up area
2000 Built up area
2018 Built up area
Original development
New development
Urban Star Main roads
Growth direction

Left: Conventional linear development3 ; Right: Linear development in Al Asyah city showing increasing compactness.

14
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

1.4.1 Manifestation of urbanization in Al-Qassim cities

An analysis of the growth trends and Ar Rass) expanded at a faster consumed land at an annual rate
as captured by changes in the rate between 1990 and 2000 of 5.27 per cent between the years
total built-up area within the urban than between 2000 and 2018. 1990 and 2000. This decreased to
boundaries reveals a rapid rate of The reverse was observed in the 3.47 per cent per annum between
spatial urbanization in the 13 cities smaller urban areas (for example, Al 2000 and 2015.
over the 28 years spanning 1990 Nabhanya, Al Shammasiya, Daria,
to 2018. Through the 1990–2000 Riyadh Al Khabra), which expanded The reported land consumption
period, all the cities consumed land faster between 2000 and 2018 trends are reflected in the overall
(converted land from other uses to than between 1990 and 2000 (see urban pattern and structure, built-up
urbanized uses) at an annual average figure 1.9). These growth trends area density and overall change in
rate of 3.38 per cent, which increased were relatively close to the average total built-up area over the period
to 4.55 per cent during 2000–2018. values reported throughout the 1990–2018 as summarized in
country during the period 1990–2015. figure 1.10 (Evolution of urban areas
The analysis further shows that the According to an analysis by UN- between 1990 and 2018).
bigger cities (Buraidah, Unaizah Habitat in 2019, Saudi Arabia’s cities

Figure 1.9 Trends in annual rate of urban land consumption (LCR) 1990–2000 and 2000–2018

8
6.99
6.83

6.73
6.42

7
5.73

5.63

5.62

6
5.27
5.07
4.78
4.75

5
4.35

3.96

3.89

3.85
3.68

3.47
3.43

4
3.27

2.92
2.88

3
2.23
2.09
1.95

1.69

1.71
1.58

2
1.07

0
Buraidah

Unaizah

Ar Rass

Al Mithnab

Al Bakiriyah

Al Badaya'a

Riyadh Al Khabra

Al Asyah

Al Nabhanya

Uyun Al Jiwa

Al Shammasiya

Oklat AlSkoor

Daria

KSA

LCR 1990 - 2000 LCR 2000 - 2018

Source: UN-Habitat Global Urban Indicators Database, 2019

15
 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

1.4.2 Urbanization trends and their influence on land-use patterns

The observed urbanization trends in the urban boundaries of each city, thirds when agricultural land within
Al-Qassim’s cities have contributed which constitutes land classified the urban areas is considered. In
to a gradual conversion of land from as either “unplanned vacant” or Buraidah, for example, 61.2 per cent
non-urbanized to urbanized uses. “planned vacant” in the city zoning of the urban area constitutes vacant
This trend is projected to continue plans. As shown in table 1.1, other land (planned and unplanned), a
into the foreseeable future. Moreover, than Unaizah and Ar Rass, more than situation that is no different in the
the trend will in some ways be half of the land in the other cities smallest city of Al Nabhanya where
augmented by the presence of large can be classified as developable vacant land represents 82 per cent of
chunks of developable land within land, which further increases to two the total urban area.

Table 1.1 Conversion of land use from non-urbanized to urbanized in Al-Qassim’s cities

Total ur- Residen- planned commer- parks, Services Indus- Un- Agri- Total
ban area tial vacant cial roads & public trial planned cultural
(Km2)* land and utility vacant lands
spaces lands
Buraidah 913.6 6.9 15.2 1.4 11.5 3.7 1.2 46.0 14.1 100.0
Unaizah 150 10.3 26.9 2.0 18.7 8.1 3.1 13.1 17.9 100.0
Ar Rass 111.5 12.6 15.5 3.6 47.8 3.5 1.3 15.5 0.3 100.0
Al Mithnab 53.2 11.9 24.2 2.4 18.5 2.2 0.9 26.2 13.6 100.0
Al Bakiriyah 48.5 8.3 31.2 2.0 22.3 2.5 0.9 27.7 5.2 100.0
Al Badaya’a 70.9 6.5 28.8 1.1 20.1 3.0 0.5 35.2 4.8 100.0
Riyadh Al Khabra 55.9 4.0 22.7 0.2 21.6 2.7 0.7 38.7 9.4 100.0
Al Asyah 45.3 4.6 24.0 0.3 17.5 - 0.0 53.0 0.6 100.0
Al Nabhanya 10.3 3.2 29.0 0.5 14.0 - 0.0 53.0 0.3 100.0
Uyun Al Jiwa 20.3 6.0 35.5 0.5 30.0 2.3 0.6 25.0 0.1 100.0
Al Shammasiya 20.7 8.4 4.0 0.8 11.0 2.3 0.1 68.0 5.4 100.0
Oklat AlSkoor 16.3 6.7 24.0 1.4 23.0 - 0.0 44.9 0.0 100.0
Daria 11.1 6.0 4.7 0.8 16.1 - 0.4 72.0 - 100.0
* Represents the physical city area within which the Qassim Urban Observatory collects data

Source: QUO, 2018

16
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Figure 1.10 Evolution of urban areas between 1990 and 2018

Total % change in Built up area 1990 – 2018

Uglat Asugour +58.5% Al Mithnab +141.8%

Al Bukayriyah +298.2% Al Shmasya +253.4%

Unayzah +128.2% An Nabhaniyah +211.2%

City boundary
1990 Built up area
2000 Built up area
2018 Built up area
Main roads

17
 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

Ar Rass +158.6% Dariyah +349.6%

Riyadh Al Khabra +402.7% Buraydah +178%

Al Asyah +170.7% Uyun Al Jawa +395.7%

Al Badayea +305.6%
City boundary
1990 Built up area
2000 Built up area
2018 Built up area
Main roads

18
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

The future of Al-Qassim’s urban vacant land than that planned in the addition, unplanned expansion of
form will depend significantly on 13 cities, which averages 39 per cent urban areas may seriously hamper
how the local authorities manage and 22 per cent respectively. Some the region’s agricultural productivity
and regulate developments in the likely challenges that may result (and its associated economic returns),
available “developable land”. If no from the unregulated growth would as more fertile land gets converted
proper growth controls are put in be urbanization without service to urban uses. This phenomenon is
place, there is a risk of haphazard provision, with severe impacts on already being experienced in some
expansion proliferating, particularly the quality of life for residents. In parts of the region (see figure 1.11).
given that there is more unplanned

Figure 1.11 Conversion of agricultural land to urbanized uses in Al Badayaa between 2004 and 2019

2004 2009

2010 2019

19
 Urbanization trends in Al Qassim region, Chapter 1

1.5 Conclusion
Since 1990, the 13 main cities in Al- against a slower rate of population some city sections have developed
Qassim Region have been expanding growth, which is characteristic of without the key basic infrastructure
spatially at an average annual rate sprawling cities. Today, cities in Al- provisions. This has resulted in a
exceeding 3 per cent. For most cities, Qassim face two major challenges: relatively large share of populations
this has resulted in more than 200 on the one hand are huge tracks unserved by the municipal water and
per cent increase in their built-up of developable open land within sanitation services as discussed in
areas. The trend has also contributed the city boundaries (both planned, chapter 3 of this report. Identifying
significantly to a conversion of serviced and unplanned areas) these challenges, and based on its
agriculturally productive land into which account for more than half commitment to the attainment of
urbanized land uses, which could of the urban area in most of the sustainable urbanization throughout
have adverse effects on the region’s cities; and on the other hand is the the region, the Al-Qassim regional
high agricultural productivity and lack of city plans or strategies to government is trying to formulate a
food security in the long term. guide their development. While regional urbanization strategy and
The rapid spatial expansion of Al- the recorded spatial expansion urban plans for its cities.
Qassim’s cities has been happening has generally been orderly so far,

Endnotes

1. The Saudi Network. “Qaseem City Profile”. Available at http://www.the-saudi.net/saudi-arabia/qaseem/

Qaseem%20City%20-%20Saudi%20Arabia.htm
2. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2018). World Urbanization
Prospects: The 2018 Revision, Online Edition.
3. Haseeb Jamal, “Land-use Patterns – Basic Form Conceptual Framework”, 31 July 2017. “Available at” https://www.
aboutcivil.org/urban-land-use-patterns.html

20
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Linked settlements for

enhanced interactions
CHAPTER 2

and expanded
opportunities

21
 Linked settlements for enhanced interactions and expanded opportunities, Chapter 2

2.1 Introduction
In a highly globalized world, good people from their homes to markets each other, the more efficient is
infrastructure such as efficient where they buy goods and engage the flow of goods, services, people
transport networks and modern in economic activities, as well as to and technology, which collectively
information and communication social and recreational spaces which contribute to enhanced productivity
technology (ICT) enable cities to contribute to enhancing their quality and prospects of prosperity.
attract investments, increase their of life. Virtual connectivity, on the Traditionally, urban prosperity and
competitiveness and ultimately reap other hand, contributes to enhanced enhanced productivity have been
the benefits of globalization. Inter and social integration and makes it closely associated with massive
intra-urban connectivity significantly possible to source for markets investments in physical infrastructure.
determines the functionality of urban and communicate with suppliers Today, cities that seek to accelerate
areas, their productivity and social and clientele. Virtual connectivity their growth and become prosperous
as well as economic interactions. also widens the scope of income across dimensions must invest in
For example, commodity trade generating activities and employment some level of physical infrastructure
requires physical infrastructure that opportunities for a city, which could and plough substantial resources to
enables the transfer of goods from include small- to large-scale online- developing their ICT infrastructure.
the production zones like farms, based businesses and business This chapter highlights the existing
industries to markets where they are process outsourcing openings. physical and virtual infrastructure in
needed. At the same time, production Al-Qassim Region and its 13 main
processes require such infrastructure The more cities and human cities. The chapter also examines
to facilitate transport of raw material settlements are connected (to other ways by which the prevailing trends
to and between industries on the settlements within the region, country are likely to impact on the region’s
manufacturing ladder. The same or globally) and the more different performance against various
infrastructure facilitates movement of parts of a city are connected to indicators of urban prosperity.

22
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

2.2 Physical connectivity in Al-Qassim

Al-Qassim Region is highly connected Highway 65 (popularly known as kingdom’s commercial capital, as
physically and virtually to other parts the Riyadh-Qassim Highway) is well as to the holy cities of Medina
of Saudi Arabia and the world. Within a major transport route that cuts and Makkah. Highway 60 is an
the country, a network of roads, through central Saudi Arabia. The important route for tourism and
railways and air routes connect Al- 1,200-kilometre highway connects pilgrimage in the country (see figure
Qassim to other regions, facilitating Buraidah to the nation’s capital, 2.1). Each of the main highways
the movement of people, agricultural Riyadh, and other cities like Ha’il, that traverse Al-Qassim have many
produce and other goods. Al- Sakakah and Al-Kharj. It also leads branches, which collectively form a
Qassim’s location at the centre of the to Jordan and Iraq to the north. mesh of tiered roads that connect
country makes it an important transit Highway 60, which connects to all human settlements within the
route between Riyadh and Medina, highway 65 at Buraidah city cuts region. Collectively, Al-Qassim’s road
as well as a major resting point for horizontally through Al-Qassim network comprises of 7,984 km of
pilgrims from Iraq and Kuwait on and traverses many cities in the asphalt streets, 49.2 per cent (3,929
route to Makkah; while Al-Qassim’s region. The 812-kilometre highway km) of which are city roads and 50.8
high agricultural production makes it connects Buraidah and other cities per cent (4,055 km) are intercity links.
an important source of food for the in Al-Qassim Region to Jeddah, the
entire kingdom.

Figure 2.1 Road and rail connectivity to Al-Qassim

Legend
Railway lines
Ar'ar Major roads
Regions boundary
Sakakah Major cities
Transport connectivity
Tabuk
to main cities in KSA
Ha'il

Ad Dammam
Buraidah
Hofuf
Medina
Riyadh

Jeddah
Mecca Taif

Railway line Al Bahah

Highway 65
Abha
Highway 60
Najran

Jizan

23
 Linked settlements for enhanced interactions and expanded opportunities, Chapter 2

In addition to the roads and highways Buraidah. Al-Qassim is an important from and to the country’s regional
that link settlements in Al-Qassim, tourist destination and a major airports either arrived or departed
the 2,750 km north-south railway exporter of agricultural produce from this airport. During the same
line connects Al-Qassim to the Saudi within the country, which requires year, the airport also accounted
regions of Al Jawf, Northern Borders, direct connections to several global for a substantial share of local air
Ha'il and Riyadh and farther to Jordan destinations. Owing to its many travel, with about 7.8 per cent of
in the north (see figure 2.1). tourist destinations (which include all trips either originating from or
festivals, markets, gardens and ending at the airport. The major local
Al-Qassim is also connected to other heritage buildings) and its business destinations from Al-Qassim airport
regions in Saudi Arabia and the rest connections to the world, Al-Qassim include Riyadh, Medina, Jeddah
of the world through a network of airport accounts for a substantial and Ad Dammam; international
air routes, which originate from the share of the regional travel within destinations include Dubai, Sharjah,
Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Regional Saudi Arabia. In 2018, 34.3 per Cairo, Bahrain, Istanbul and
Airport (Al-Qassim Airport) in cent of all international passengers Alexandria, Egypt (see figure 2.2).

Figure 2.2 Major flight destinations from Al-Qassim Region

Istanbul

Alexandria
Cairo

Ad Dammam
Bahrain
Buraidah Dubai
Riyadh Sharjah
Medina

Jeddah

Legend
Flight connectivity
KSA Boundary
Major towns

24
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

The interlinked network of highways, Cooperation Council region as well the region continues to diversify its
railway lines and air routes connect as to all parts of the world. These economy into manufacturing and
Al-Qassim and its populations to physical connections linking Al- pharmaceutical products, these
many trade, commerce, agricultural Qassim to the world are likely to linkages will contribute significantly
produce export, foreign exchange continue to promote the region’s to the city’s accelerated economic
and tourism opportunities economic growth. Moreover, as growth in the long term.
within the country and the Gulf

Altamur square, Riyadh Al Khabra © Qassim Urban Observatory

2.2.1 Trends in intra-city connectivity in Al-Qassim Region

Streets, railways and other transport of more than 100 cities from across between the share of land allocated
infrastructure play a major role in the world, UN-Habitat established to streets with the number of street
moving goods and connecting urban that a city which allocates at least intersections, which provide urban
land uses, which is key for enhanced 30 per cent of its land to streets is populations with more route options
urban productivity. Streets also likely to be more prosperous (across and also encourage walking. A
provide important wayleaves for the economic, social, infrastructural density of 100 intersections per
distribution of other basic services and environmental dimensions) than square kilometre is seen as a
such as water, sanitation, and ICT one which allocates much less. UN- good balance for a city that aims
infrastructure, and serve as major Habitat, however, also recommends to increase connectivity while also
open spaces in many cities across that there should be a good balance protecting it from traffic gridlocking.1
the world. Based on a 2016 study

25
 Linked settlements for enhanced interactions and expanded opportunities, Chapter 2

Based on these benchmarks, Al- indicator, with a recorded average of their land to streets, only 2 cities
Qassim’s cities perform relatively of 60 intersections/km2 for the 13 surpass the 100 intersections/ km2
well in terms of share of land cities. There are huge variations threshold. As shown in figure 2.3, Al
allocated to streets, with an average between city performances in the Mithnab records the highest share
of 29.5 per cent of urban land two indicators, in which some cities of land allocated to streets whilst
allocated to streets in the 13 main perform very well while others do so Buraidah has the greatest number of
cities. However, the cities score poorly. For example, while 6 of the 13 intersection density.
poorly in the intersection density cities allocate more than 30 per cent

Figure 2.3 Share of land allocated to streets and intersection densities in Al-Qassim’s cities

70 130

Intersections or length of street/km2

60 110
% Land Allocated to Streets

50 90

40 70

30 50

20 30

10 10

0 -10

Land Allocated to Streets Street Density (Km/Km2) Intersection density (No./km2)

In addition to good performances in what has been observed in cities have a large share of their land in
the share of land allocated to streets, in developed countries. Buraidah streets, they record lower levels of
cities in Al-Qassim record high street has the highest street density, connectivity due to their low street
densities which is a good measure which when combined with the high densities and few intersections -
of the total length of streets within number of intersections indicates that which could indicate a few wide
each urban area. At least six cities the city is the most connected in Al- streets which limits route options for
have street densities of more than Qassim. On the other hand, whereas residents (see figure 2.4).
10km/km2, which is consistent with cities such as Al Mithnab and Ar Rass

26
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Figure 2.4 Street patterns in Al Mithnab and Buraidah cities

Al Mithnab Buraidah

Legend Legend
Kilometers Urban edge Kilometers Urban edge
0 0.5 1 2 3 0 5 10

Streets Streets

2.2.2 Cities in Al-Qassim rely on private cars for transport, posing sustainable urbanization challenges

The observed street patterns in Al- Al Bakiriyah, the city with the highest wherein each household owns at
Qassim are common in cities where usage of other modes of transport, least one (average car ownership
driving and use of privatized vehicles about 71 per cent of the population ranges from 1.08 to 1.5 cars per
is the main means of transport (as rely on private cars for their trips to household). On the downside, this
opposed to walking and use of public work. This is significantly higher than points to very low investment on
transport). It is thus no surprise that cities in the developed regions where public transport, which is almost
in all Al-Qassim’s cities, private cars more than half of their populations non-existent in most cities throughout
account for about three quarters of rely on public transport or non- the region. For those without private
all trips to work. In some cities such motorized transport for their trips to cars, walking seems to be a more
as Al Nabhanya, Uyun Al Jiwa, Al work. common means of transport across
Shammasiya and Oklat Alskoor, more cities, while in some cities such
than 95 per cent of the population The high reliance on private cars as Buraidah, employer-provided
relies on private cars for their daily in Al-Qassim’s cities is closely transport accounts for some part of
trips to work (see figure 2.5). Even in associated with a high car ownership, the home-to-work trips.

27
 Linked settlements for enhanced interactions and expanded opportunities, Chapter 2

Figure 2.5 Transport mode to work by city in Al-Qassim Region

Buraidah
Unaizah
Ar Rass
Al Mithnab
Al Bakiriyah
Al Badaya'a
Riyadh Al Khabra
Al Asyah
Al Nabhanya
Uyun Al Jiwa
Al Shammasiya
Oklat AlSkoor
Daria

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Private car By foot Other modes

* In Buraidah, 6.4 of the trips are by a car owned by the employer

Despite the over reliance on private year) and Finland (18.13 hours/
cars, the travel time and average year),3 implying more opportunities
time spent in traffic is relatively low for higher productivity in Al-Qassim

10.6 mins in Al-Qassim cities. In 2018, the

average time to reach work in the 13
cities. The low traffic congestion
in these Al-Qassim cities is also
Average time to reach work
cities was only 10.2 minutes, while one likely explanation of the low
in Al-Qassim cities. (2018)
the time passengers spend stuck levels of air pollution in Buraidah,
in traffic averaged only about 13 Unaizah and Uyun Al Jiwa where
Despite the high usage of cars in Al- hours per annum (see figure 2.6). the recorded concentrations of
Qassim, the time spend stuck in traffic is The amount of time wasted in traffic carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide,
low, which could be a contributing factor in the region’s cities is significantly ozone gas and Sulphur dioxide were
to the good air quality in the cities
smaller than the averages for cities within the World Health Organization
in the United States (54 hours/ recommended levels.
year),2 United Kingdom (45.73 hours/

28
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Figure 2.6 Time spent in transport network by city

Average daily work trip (minutes)

Average hours spend in traffic / year

14 16
12 14.0 13.8 13.7 13.9
13.4 13.6
14

10 11.8 11.6 11.6

12
10.4
10
8
7.6
8
6 6.3 6
4 4
2 2
0 0

Average daily work trip (minutes) Average hours spend in traffic /Year

While the current street pattern the economies and productivity of invest in a public transport system,
and transport strategies seem to each city, the efficiency of the largely which will, among other benefits,
be working in most cities in Al- private car driven transport sector is offer transport options to the public,
Qassim (with less time and resource likely to decline as the populations of help manage future traffic congestion
wastage in the road network), and the cities increase. In the mid to long and reduce air pollution from the
while this is positively impacting on term, all cities in Al-Qassim should transport sector.

2.3 Virtual connectivity opening new growth opportunities for Al-Qassim cities
Empirical evidence from across increase female participation and other, how goods are connected to
the world has concluded that inclusion in labour markets (through markets, how production processes
investment in and use of information e-commerce, online work, business are designed, as well as how urban
and communications technology process outsourcing) as well as economies are structured. With
and associated infrastructure has a creating labour market opportunities increased use of mobile phones and
positive and significant correlation for persons with disabilities, thereby the Internet, more businesses today
with economic development. This collectively improving their quality of are able to connect with markets
relationship is associated with a) job life.4 without having to invest in physical
creation within the ICT sector; b) use offices or stores across cities, while
of ICT for enhanced efficiency in the Like in many other parts of the world, residents of all cities can enjoy many
production sector; and c) enhanced the Internet and the ICT revolution municipal services at the comfort
local and international connectivity, over the last few decades has of their businesses or homes,
which creates new opportunities and significantly changed how people significantly reducing the amount of
widens markets for products. Equally, in Al-Qassim interact with each time spent seeking such services.
advances in ICT can significantly

29
 Linked settlements for enhanced interactions and expanded opportunities, Chapter 2

Throughout Al-Qassim, there has The different levels of action based economic opportunities (and
been massive investments to have contributed significantly to the global marketplace) to augment
increase access to ICT infrastructure, near universal connectivity to ICT their incomes.
which has been implemented at the infrastructure in Al-Qassim. In 2018, of
regional, city and household levels. the 6 cities with data on connection The high connectivity to the Internet
At the regional, for example, massive to Internet, all homes in Ar Rass, Al among households is closely related
investments have been made to Mithnab and Riyadh Al-Khabra were to its high usage across cities. In
ensure that core ICT communication connected to the Internet (, while 2018, about 87 per cent of the urban
and Internet infrastructure are laid the other 3 cities recorded close to population in the 13 main cities
out throughout Al-Qassim. Some universal connectivity (Al Bakiriyah in Al-Qassim were Internet users.
of these investments have been 99.8 per cent, Buraidah 99.2 per cent During the same year, the share
part of the national Government’s and Al Badaya’a 97.3 per cent). At the of social media users to the total
interventions and public-private household level, Internet connectivity urban population was equally large
partnerships. Individual cities, in is not associated with income levels. (averaging 81.7 per cent), implying
partnerships with private sector In total, 8 of the 13 cities recorded high virtual linkages of populations
actors, have equally invested and exhibited universal connectivity of in Al-Qassim’s populations with the
made provisions for Internet cables poor households to the Internet, world (see figure 2.7). This, in addition
and communication masts to be while the other 5 recorded close to to a very high number of mobile
erected within Government premises universal connectivity (see figure phone ownership (which exceeds
as well as in major public areas. 2.7). High connectivity to the Internet 700 mobile ownerships per 1,000
The same has been transferred to is of particularly high significance to people), points to very high virtual
individual households, which have poor households which, with the right connectivity among residents of Al-
been investing in gaining access to know-how, can leverage Internet- Qassim’s cities.
mobile phone networks and getting
Internet connections to their homes.

Figure 2.7 Internet connectivity and usage in Al-Qassim’s cities

Poor HHs connected to internet Internet Users Social media users

100

75

50

25

0
Riyadh Al Khabra

Oklat AlSkoor
Al Nabhanya
Al Bakiriyah

Uyun Al Jiwa
Al Badaya'a
Al Mithnab

Al Shammasiya
Buraidah

Unaizah

Ar Rass

Daria
Al Asyah

30
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

The main impediment to tapping the averaged less than 200 personal most populations, more computer
economic opportunities associated computers per 1,000 population. ownership can expand these
with the high Internet connectivity in While the high phone ownership opportunities across all population
Al-Qassim cities might be due to low opens diverse opportunities for groups.
computer ownership, which in 2019

Figure 2.8 Phone and personal computer ownership per 1,000 population in Al-Qassim’s cities

Daria
Oklat AlSkoor
Al Shammasiya
Uyun Al Jiwa
Al Nabhanya
Al Asyah
Riyadh Al Khabra
Al Badaya'a
Al Bakiriyah
Al Mithnab
Ar Rass
Unaizah
Buraidah

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Personal computer ownerhip per 1000 population Mobile phone ownership per 1000 population

A combination of high Internet to contribute continuously to a

usage and the digitization of many reduction in the need for physical
government services in Al-Qassim’s interactions in service delivery, as
cities are likely to be a major well as to an overall improvement

88.5%
contributing factor to an increase in in services. Buraidah city is leading
the number of people undertaking in this area, with 88.5 per cent of
digital transactions with the regional households using the Internet in Households using the internet
government. This trend, which government transactions in 2018 (see in government transactions in
Buraidah. (2018)
seems to be on the rise, is likely figure 2.9).

31
 Linked settlements for enhanced interactions and expanded opportunities, Chapter 2

Figure 2.9 Internet usage for regional government transactions in Al-Qassim’s cities

100

80

60

40

20

2.4 Conclusion
Cities in Al-Qassim are highly processes while expanding the population and high literacy rates
connected to others within this markets for locally produced throughout the region can be
region, the rest of the country and goods and services. High Internet exploited to create more jobs in all
to those across the globe through connectivity across all cities links cities and to expand the income-
the intertwined network of physical their residents to a vast global generating opportunities for their
and virtual infrastructure. The high marketplace where they can interact, residents. This can also be promoted
connectivity makes these cities trade and generate incomes. This, through the business process
accessible and reduces wastage coupled with a largely youthful outsourcing service delivery model.
and system losses in the production

Endnotes

1. UN-Habitat, Streets as public spaces and drivers of urban prosperity. UN-Habitat, (Nairobi, 2013).
2. Willingham, A.J. Commuters waste an average of 54 hours a year stalled in traffic, study says’’, CNN, 22 August,
2019. Available at https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/22/us/traffic-commute-gridlock-transportation-study-trnd/index.
html
3. European Commission, ‘’Hours spent in road congestion annually’’. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/transport/
facts-fundings/scoreboard/compare/energy-union-innovation/road-congestion_en
4. Mwaniki, D, “Infrastructure Development in Nairobi: Widening the Path Towards a Smart City and Smart Economic
Development”, in Smart Economy in Smart Cities, Kumar T.M.V eds, (Springer, Singapore, 2017).

32
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Social capital
for sustainable
CHAPTER 3

and prosperous Chapter 3: Social capital for

sustainable and prosperous
development

development

33
 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

3.1 Introduction
A city’s future sustainable growth This chapter presents an analysis of Findings indicate that cities in Al-
and prosperity depends upon its the performance of the 13 main cities Qassim perform quite well in most
investment in education, health, in Al-Qassim Region against four key of the social capital indicators, which
peace, security and other social social capital indicators and enablers: significantly increases the region’s
capital stocks. Successful cities 1) employment, job market trends chances of accelerated prosperity.
report lower levels of inequalities and the prevailing urban inequality To tap into the massive opportunities
and poverty, as they create a conditions; 2) sociodemographic from the high social capital
peaceful and secure environment for and health conditions; 3) education reported in Al-Qassim, the regional
investment; encourage high human trends; and 4) access to basic government and city authorities will,
capital development through well- services. The prevailing urban safety however, need to tackle urgently
educated and healthy citizens.1 conditions in the region and how the critical challenge of high
they impact quality of life and urban unemployment among the highly
prosperity are also discussed. literate youthful populations.

34
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

3.2 Employment and poverty trends in Al Qasssim region

A country or region’s economic reflection of the quality of life of rich and poor, and prosperity should
performance is a good indication of its residents. For shared growth be shared in such a way that the
the success or failure of programmes and sustainable development to benefits of growth are experienced
and projects that cut across the be attained, however, economic by all regardless of socioeconomic
social, infrastructural and economic performance should be accompanied status, age or gender.
dimensions; as well as a good by reduced inequalities between

3.2.1 Cities in Al-Qassim record low poverty levels, but increasing unemployment rates

In the region’s 13 main cities, the average proportion of population below the international poverty line is less than 1 per
cent, while the average share of population below the national poverty line is 12.3 per cent. In 2018, Buraidah had just
0.6 per cent of its population below the international poverty line, while 14.3 per cent were below the national poverty
line, which was the third highest value after Al Nabhanya (20 per cent), Daria (17 per cent) and Ar Rass (14.8 per cent)
(see figure 3.1).

Figure 3.1 Proportion of population below international and national poverty lines

Proportion of population below national poverty line Proportion of population below International Poverty Line

25 1

20 0.8

15 0.6

10 0.4

5 0.2

0 0
Buraidah

Unaizah

Ar Rass

Al Mithnab

Al Bakiriyah

Al Badaya'a

Riyadh Al Khabra

Al Asyah

Al Nabhanya

Uyun Al Jiwa

Al Shammasiya

Oklat AlSkoor

Daria

(International poverty line = income of $1.9 per day; national poverty line = income of SR 1066 per month)

35
 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

Box 3.1 Urban safety, a challenge for enhanced investments and productivity

Cities in Al-Qassim enjoy high levels of peace and security like most parts of Saudi Arabia. According to data from
the Qassim Urban Observatory, only three cities recorded homicide cases in 2018, which included: Buraidah (0.03
homicides per 1,000 population), Al Badaya’a (0.01 cases/1,000 population) and Al Asyah (0.3 cases/1,000 population).
While these numbers seem low, they compare quite significantly with those of other parts of Western Asia, wherein
there were about 4 homicides reported per 100,000 population in 2015.² During the same year, cities in Al-Qassim
recorded relatively high numbers of robberies, which were more than the average 9 robberies per 100,000 population
reported in all of Saudi Arabia in 2017.³ Overall, all cities recorded at least a few robberies through 2018, although Al
Asyah was by far the least secure city, with 29.9 robberies per 1,000 population reported. This is eroding the quality of
life of city residents and dampen long-term investor confidence in the city’s business and economy.

Robberies per 1000 population

Buraidah 0.45

Oklat AlSkoor 1.3

Unaizah 1.32

Al Badaya'a 2.14

Ar Rass 2.7

Al Nabhanya 2.7

Riyadh Al Khabra 3.43

Daria 3.5

Al Mithnab 3.7

Uyun Al Jiwa 5.01

Al Shammasiya 6

Al Bakiriyah 6.7

Al Asyah 29.9

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

36
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Despite the relatively low proportion shares of unemployed populations in absence of female employees in Al
of population below the international 2018 with at least half of youth aged Nabhanya and Daria to a high of only
poverty line, urban unemployment 15–24 being unemployed. 4.6 per cent in Ar Rass city (see figure
in Al-Qassim is significantly high. 3.2). The situation is even more dire
The recorded unemployment values The employment trends in Al-Qassim in senior roles in the government
range from 14 per cent in Uyun Al cities translate to a male-dominated departments. Only Buraidah and
Jiwa to 18 per cent in Unaizah, which labour force, which holds true for Unaizah had females in senior
is higher than the nationally reported the regional government and private positions, which represented 0.9
average of 6 per cent.4 In all cities, sectors. Within the government per cent and 3.1 per cent of the total
unemployment among women was at sector, for example, the proportion female employees in the government
least twice as high as among men in of women working in the different departments, respectively. All the
2018. Youth unemployment is equally departments averaged about 1.4 per other cities did not have any women
high in Al-Qassim. In all the 13 cities, cent across all 13 cities in 2018, with in senior roles (those in grades 11 and
youth accounted for the highest city-specific values ranging from total above).

Figure 3.2 Percentage of female employees in government departments

5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0
Buraidah

Unaizah

Ar Rass

Al Mithnab

Al Bakiriyah

Al Badaya'a

Riyadh Al Khabra

Al Asyah

Al Nabhanya

Uyun Al Jiwa

Al Shammasiya

Oklat AlSkoor

Daria

37
 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

In terms of labour force distribution, the public sector is the biggest employer in all cities, with the total employees in
government departments averaging about 79.7 per cent of the total employees (see figure 3.3).

Figure 3.3 Distribution of employment by sector

% of employees in government departments % of employees in private sector

100
75
50
25
0

Box 3.2 Agriculture is a main land use and economic activity in Al-Qassim

ate production is the most dominant agricultural activity in Al-Qassim Region, followed by livestock. Other key produce
includes vegetables, cereals and fruits. Buraidah, Ar Rass and Al Badaya’a have the greatest diversity of agricultural
practices within the region, with at least four main agricultural activities. On the other hand, Al Nabhanya and Al-
Shammasiya record the least, wherein dates account for the entire agricultural production sector. Livestock production
is the most dominant practice in Al Mithnab and Al Bakiriyah, where associated activities account for 83 per cent and 53
per cent of the agricultural land uses, respectively.

Buraidah 13 12 5 28 42

Ar Rass 9 17 9 28 38

Al Mithnab 6 5 2 83 3

Al Bakiriyah 1 10 53 45

Al-Badaya'a 10 17 12 19 35 7

Al Nabhanya 0 100

AL-Shammasiya 00 100

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Cereal production Vegetables production Fruits production Livestock production Dates production Others

38
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

3.3 Health status and access to health services

The average life expectancy at birth Like other parts of the world and of 13.11 live births per 1,000 women
in Al-Qassim’s cities is 74.4 years, Saudi Arabia at large, cities in Al- aged 15–49 in Al-Shammasiya in
with females expected to live longer Qassim are experiencing declining 2018. Age at first marriage, a key
(75.7 years) than males (73.1). The fertility rates, which could be closely determinant of fertility levels in many
region’s average life expectancy is associated with increasing education societies, has little variation among
similar to that of the entire nation, levels among women. The general the cities. In general, women get
which is estimated at 74.9 years split fertility rate varies significantly across married younger (between ages 20.8
into 73.7 years for males and 76.5 cities (see table 3.1), from a high of and 22.8) than men (who get married
years for females.5 140.5 live births in Ar Rass to a low between ages 25.6 and 28.2). See
figure 3.4.

Figure 3.4 Fertility rates in Al-Qassim’s cities

Total fertility rate 2016 Total fertility rate 2017 Total fertility rate 2018

160
147.7
145.4
140.5

130.8

140

124.69
129
125.5
120.1
118.2
113.2

120
106.9
103.2

100.21
100 94.3
90.8

79.67

77.08

77.14
77.3

76.5
74.57

80
61.24
58.4
50.62

60
51.12
51.0
47.47

40
27.97
26.6
23.2

23.0
19.70
21.3
17.8

14.7

13.11

20
11.1

-
-

0
Buraidah

Unaizah

Ar Rass

Al Mithnab

Al Bakiriyah

Al Nabhanya

Uyun Al-Jiwa

Oklat AlSkoor

Daria
Al Badaya'a

Riyadh Al Khabra

Al Asyah

Al Shammasiya

39
 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

3.3.1 Cities in Al-Qassim perform well in the health sector

Multiple studies have established sector and must be considered In Al-Qassim’s cities, the average
that there is a correlation between against other factors such as travel time to health services ranges
distance to health facilities and the availability of the needed medical from 6.5 minutes in Al Badaya’a to
quality of health for populations. For services, presence of adequate 31.9 minutes in Uyun Al Jiwa. Seven
example, Kelly et al (2016) posit that facilities and the quality of health cities record a travel time of less than
the farther away a patient is from a care. The proximity to hospitals, for 8 minutes. Only Uyun Al Jiwa records
health facility that they need to attend example, eases access to health a travel time of more than 30 minutes
the worse their health outcomes care for all populations, while well- (see figure 3.5). Although there is
(which could include survival rates, equipped hospitals ensure access to no globally agreed standard, the
length of stay in hospital and non- adequate and appropriate medical 30-minute travel time to health care
attendance at follow-up).6 Different attention. Affordability of health care facilities has been used as a good
studies have, however, also identified is another important factor, and one benchmark,7 against which cities in
that distance indicators do not give that significantly contributes to equity Al-Qassim perform significantly well.
the overall picture of the health in access to health services. As such, residents of Al-Qassim cities
seem to be well served by health
services.

Figure 3.5 Average travel time to health services

Oklat AlSkoor 21.6 mins

Riyadh Al Khabra 7 mins Al Asyah 23.1 mins

Al Bakiriyah 6.9 mins Al Nabhanya 23.6 mins

Al Shammasiya 28.2 mins
Al Badaya’a 6.5 mins Daria 15.7 mins
Uyun Al Jiwa 31.9 mins

0 mins 10 mins 20 mins 30 mins 40 mins

Ar Rass 6.8 mins

Buraidah 7.2 mins Unaizah, Al Mithnab 7.7 mins

40
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

In addition to proximity to health in Al-Qassim are on both sides of the general, Al-Qassim scores quite
facilities, adequate supply of hospital nation’s average of 22.3 beds per well in its doctor-population ratio,
beds is vital for efficient access 10,000 people (2016 statistics),8 with with 12 of the 13 cities meeting the
to hospital-based care. According five cities recording higher values WHO recommended standard of one
to data from the Qassim Urban than the national average (see table doctor for 1,000 people. Additionally,
Observatory, availability of hospital 3.1). Al-Qassim’s cities record high levels
beds varies greatly between cities of skilled attendance at birth, with the
in the region. They range from a low The doctor-population ratio also recorded levels surpassing the global
of 17 beds per 10,000 population in varies greatly between cities: from average of 90 per cent. Also, 9 of 13
Al Badaya’a to a high of 62 beds per 0.8 doctors per 1,000 people in cities recorded universal access to
10,000 in Oklat AlSkoor. Buraidah Al Shammasiya to 3.9 doctors per skilled birth attendance in 2018 (see
has about 26 hospital beds per 1,000 people in Oklat AlSkoor. In table 3.1).
10,000 people. The values for cities

Table 3.1 Health indicators by city

Low birth weights (No. Hospital Beds/10,000 Doctors/ 1,000 Skilled doctor at delivery
of babies born with less population population (%)
than 2500 gram /1000
live births)
Buraidah 24.3 25.9 2.3 100.0
Unaizah 51.9 21.5 2.2 99.8
Ar Rass 75.9 21.9 3.2 100.0
Al Mithnab 65.8 32.7 3.5 100.0
Al Bakiriyah 80.4 35.1 3.6 100.0
Al Badaya’a 27.9 16.7 1.3 100.0
Riyadh Al-Khabra 37.7 17.7 2.6 100.0
Al Asyah 52.4 23.8 2.7 98.3
Al Nabhanya 46.5 56.8 3.7 100.0
Uyun Al Jiwa 25.0 22.5 3.2 100.0
Al Shammasiya 0.0 0.0* 0.7 100.0
Oklat AlSkoor - 61.7 3.9 95.7
Daria 21.4 60.1 3.8 97.9
*there is no hospital is Al Shammasiya

41
 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

Overall, cities in Al-Qassim perform sector, with the most recent efforts emergency medical care within the
quite well in the health indicators, and in targeted at increasing the number of nationally recommended period of four
some cases even surpass the national beds in childcare units. This investment, hours. In an equal number of cities,
performance. This can broadly be which had been in response to high patients get an appointment with the
attributed to increasing investments in infant mortality rates identified through required medical specialization within
the sector by the Al-Qassim regional data collected by the Qassim Urban the nationally recommended period
government as well as the national Observatory, shows a direct link of 4 weeks (see figure 3.6). In both
Government. At the national level, for between locally generated data, and cases, Unaizah city scores the least,
example, the national Government policy and investments. As a result of which combined with a low score in
has increasingly invested in the health the investments in children’s health care availability of specialized child treatment
sector over the last 20 years, with a in Al-Qassim, most hospitals in 12 of the facilities points to a significant need for
cumulative positive effect on the quality 13 cities now have a specialized child enhanced health care in the city.
of health care available in all regions. treatment section. i)
In 2018, for instance, 15 per cent of the Overall, the cost of health care in all
national budgetary expenditure (SAR Equally, cities in Al-Qassim record a cities is below 4 per cent of the total
146.5 billion - approximately USD 39.07 high proportion of patients receiving household income, which is a good
billion) was allocated to health services emergency medical and specialized pointer for affordable access to such
and social development.9 Within care within the nationally recommended care for all income groups throughout
Al-Qassim, there has equally been period. In 8 of 12 cities which have data Al-Qassim’s cities (see figure 3.6).
significant investments in the health on the indicator, all patients receive

Figure 3.6 Access to health care and cost of health care by city

100 10
% HH income spend on healthcare

80 8
Access to Healthcare

Percentage of patients getting an

60 6 appointment with the required
specialization within 4 weeks
40 4
Percentage of patients receiving
20 2 emergency or urgent medical care and
medical decision in less than 4 hours.
0 0
% of HH income spend on health

i). This indicator is calculated by QUO as the percentage share of children’s hospitals to the total hospitals in each city; Al Sham-
masiya city is not indicated in this indicator.

42
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Number of beds per Number of doctors per

10,000 population 1,000 population
Overall, the cost of health care in
all cities is below 4% of the total
household income, which is a good
pointer for affordable access to
17 (Al Badaya’a) 0.8 (Al Shammasiya) healthcare for all income groups
throughout Al-Qassim cities
62 (Oklat Alskoor) 3.9 (Oklat Alskoor)

3.4 Al-Qassim’s cities record high literacy levels, perform well in education
indicators

Most cities in Al-Qassim record recorded total literacy levels lower the exception of Oklat Alskoor, adult
higher adult and youth literacy than the national average of 95.3 males were slightly more literate
rates than the national and global per cent,10 and none of the cities was than adult females in the main cities
averages. In 2018, the adult literacy below the global average of 86.3 per of Al-Qassim, which is consistent
rate in the region’s 13 main cities cent.11 with the national and global trends
ranged from 92.3 per cent in Daria as shown in figure 3.7. A similar
city to 99 per cent in Al Mithnab and Youth literacy rates are higher than trend was observed in youth literacy
Riyadh Al-Khabra. The adult literacy adult literacy rates in all cities in Al- rates, although in the cities of Oklat
rate in Buraidah was 95.9 per cent, Qassim, with about half of the cities Alskoor, Buraidah and Al Bakiriyah
with a slightly higher value (96.2 per recording universal youth literacy young females were more literate
cent) recorded among Saudis. Only (for persons aged 15–24 years). With than their male counterparts.
two cities, Oklat Alskoor and Daria,

Enrolment rates to schools in Al-Qassim

Youth literacy rates are higher than
73.3% 73.3% 73.3% adult literacy rates in all cities in Al-
to to to Qassim, with about half of the cities
100% 100% 60.4% recording universal youth literacy (for
Primary Secondary Higher populations aged 15-24 years).
schools schools education

43
 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

Figure 3.7 Literacy levels in Al-Qassim cities

100

80

60

40

20

Adult literacy rate Males Adult literacy rate Females Adult literacy rate Total
Youth Literacy rate Males Youth literacy rates Female Youth literacy rates total

44
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

The high literacy levels recorded in the same year, cities in Al-Qassim school enrolment rates, 5 fell below
the region’s cities can be attributed to recorded rates ranging from 73.3 the national average and the other
several factors, some of which include to 100 per cent in primary school, 5 were above. Only 3 of the 10 cities
the school enrolment rates, mean 88.1 to 100 per cent in secondary recorded universal primary school
years of schooling and the student- school and 43.2 to 60.4 per cent enrolment. On the other hand, 6 of the
teacher ratio. for higher education (see table 3.2). 11 cities with data on secondary school
For most cities, secondary school enrolment fell below the national
In 2018, the net enrolment rate in enrolment was higher than primary enrolment rate at that level, while
primary and secondary schools in school, which was consistent with the other 5 cities recorded universal
Saudi Arabia was 94.6 per cent and the national enrolment trends. Of enrolment at the same level.
96.4 per cent, respectively.12 During the 10 cities with data on primary

Table 3.2 Education indicators in Al-Qassim’s cities

Primary Secondary Higher Students Students Mean School School

school school education per Teacher per years of children children per
enrollment enrollment enrollment in primary Teacher in schooling per class Class room
rate rate rate Total school secondary room in in secondary
school primary school
school
Buraidah 95.8 94.1 46.3 11.1 9.2 11.3 21.0 24.9
Unaizah 95.1 100.0 46.2 13.7 12.8 12.5 20.5 26.4
Ar Rass 100.0 100.0 59.6 9.0 8.1 12.4 15.7 24.1
Al Mithnab 83.6 89.1 56.4 8.8 7.5 12.7 19.2 21.8
Al Bakiriyah 100.0 100.0 58.5 5.9 6.1 12.4 15.7 27.3
Al Badaya’a 86.8 89.1 60.3 8.3 7.7 11.6 17.9 -
Riyadh Al Khabra 89.9 88.1 60.4 8.0 10.0 12.3 23.6 27.4
Al Asyah - 90.7 44.4 7.4 6.6 11.9 13.6 21.6
Al Nabhanya 73.3 94.1 49.6 8.0 9.6 10.7 17.6 27.4
Uyun Al Jiwa 100.0 100.0 42.9 10.0 10.9 12.1 22.1 30.8
Al Shammasiya - - 49.5 6.2 6.9 11.7 16.4 16.5
Oklat AlSkoor - - 46.7 9.7 9.5 10.2 11.7 19.6
Daria 81.4 100.0 43.2 5.9 7.9 10.5 13.9 27.5
KSA (2018 data) 94.6 96.4 13.8 11.5 10.2
(2017)

45
 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

The student-teacher ratio is a indicator of high-quality education (12.5).15 Cumulatively, a combination

good indicator of the amount of and better performance of students of declining fertility and mortality
attention each student is given by when combined with small class rates, high youth and adult literacy
the teachers, and in turn the quality sizes of below 25 pupils in primary rates, high performance in the
of education received. In Saudi schools and 31 students in secondary different education indicators, and a
Arabia, the average pupil-teacher schools, pointing to an education largely youthful population in most
ratio is 13.8 and 11.5 in primary and system where students get the of Al-Qassim’s cities point towards a
secondary schools, respectively.13 needed attention from teachers. demographic dividend in the region,
That is lower than the global average which will significantly influence
of 23.5 and 17.0 students per teacher Cities in Al-Qassim also perform the region’s future productivity.
for primary and secondary schools, significantly well in the duration While the current picture is one of
respectively.14 In Al-Qassim, the of schooling as captured by mean which the youth are struggling for
situation is even much better, with years of schooling. In 2018, the lack of job opportunities, cities in
the recorded ratios being lower than mean ranged from 10.2 years in Al-Qassim enjoy a unique benefit
the national average in all cities Oklat AlSkoor city to 12.7 years in from its youthful population, for
except Unaizah where the ratio is Al Mithnab. In all cities, the mean whom they need to create new
slightly higher for secondary schools. years of schooling was higher than opportunities if they seek to become
Al Bakiriyah is the best performing the national average of 10.23 years, more prosperous. An area where the
city in terms of student–teacher and is comparable to reported cities could utilize the highly literate
ratio, with values of 5.9 and 6.1 for mean years in the best performing and youthful population could be
primary and secondary schools, countries such as Germany (14.15 in the manufacturing and industrial
respectively. Overall, all cities in years), Estonia (14), the United industries, wherein the cities could
Al-Qassim perform highly, with the States (13.8), Latvia (13.7), the United easily attract foreign investments
recorded values being about trice Kingdom and Northern Ireland due to a highly educated potential
lower than the recommended 40 (13.2), Denmark (12.8) and Australia workforce.
students per teacher. This is a good

Cities in Al-Qassim also perform significantly

well in the duration of schooling as captured
Overall, all cities in Al-Qassim perform highly, with by mean years of schooling. In 2018, the mean
the recorded values being about 3 times lower than years of schooling ranged from 10.2 years in
the recommended 40 students per teacher. This Oklat AlSkoor city to 12.7 years in Al Mithnab.
is a good indicator of high quality education and In all cities, the mean years of schooling was
better performance of students when combined higher than the national average of 10.23 years,
with small class sizes of below 25 pupils in primary and is comparable to reported mean years
schools and 31 students in secondary schools, of schooling in the best performing countries
pointing to an education system where students get such as Germany (14.15 years), Estonia (14),
the needed attention from teachers. USA (13.8), Latvia (13.7), United Kingdom and
Northern Ireland (13.2), Denmark (12.8) and
Australia (12.5).

46
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

3.5 Cities in Al-Qassim enjoy adequate housing

The quality of housing, the amount are likely to make improvements Renting, inheritance and employer-
of space available per person within for greater comfort than those insured housing are the other
a household as well as the nature of in rental housing. Additionally, common housing tenure modes in Al-
housing tenure (owned vs rented) homeowners have more disposal Qassim’s cities (see figure 3.8). More
are important indicators of the quality income since mortgage costs are not than 90 per cent of the houses in the
of life for households. Congested a consideration. cities are considered as permanent
households lack adequate living structures that can last for 20 years
comfort and contribute to increased Overall, cities in Al-Qassim perform when maintained. This Implies that
risks of respiratory diseases, significantly well in the housing for the high proportion of people who
especially where cooking and living sector. In all cities, most households own their houses, homeownership
functions are within the same space. live in their own homes, most of is guaranteed in the medium to long
People who own their own homes which are single dwelling structures. terms.

Figure 3.8 Type of housing tenure in Al-Qassim’s cities

Owned Rent Insured by employer Inheritance

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

In addition to the high level of region have sufficient living area by

homeownership, all cities in Al- UN-Habitat standards. Considering
Qassim enjoy a high allocation of rental price, the median annual rent The median annual rent for housing is
housing space per person, with the for housing is less than 20 per cent less than 20% of the median annual
floor area per person averaging of the median annual household household income in all cities in
Al-Qassim, which is below the 30%
about 60 m2. This, when coupled income in all cities in the region
benchmark beyond which housing is
with a room occupancy rate that which is below the 30 per cent unaffordable.
averages only about 0.8 persons per benchmark beyond which housing is
room, indicates that all cities in the unaffordable.16

47
 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

Cities in Al-Qassim also enjoy a declining rental values in the region, prevailing housing occupancy in
moderate-to-high housing production wherein an oversupply of housing some cities. For example, Riyadh Al
rate, which is a ratio of the number and a reduction in rental-housing Khabra, Al Badaya’a and Buraidah,
of new houses to the number of new demand could have a negative which record the highest housing
households in a given year (see table effect on the long-term investments production rate also have the highest
3.3). The high homeownership rate in the cities. Equally, these two percentage of vacant houses as
and high housing production rate are factors could be contributing to the shown in table 3.3.
likely to be contributing factors to the

Table 3.3 Housing indicators in Al-Qassim Cities (2018)

Floor area Room Housing production Variation in % of House rent % vacant

per person occupancy rate to household rental value permanent to income housing
(m² per rate (persons formation (new houses (2017 – 2018) Structures ratio units (2018)
person) per room) per new households) (%)
Buraidah 60.0 1.1 0.9 -3.9 99.9 13.2 3
Unaizah 65.4 0.8 0.7 -2.1 97.23 15.6 -
Ar Rass 49.4 0.7 0.6 -0.8 99.6 14.5 0.77
Al Mithnab 55.6 0.6 0.7 2.3 96.9 11.5 -
Al Bakiriyah 57.7 0.8 0.7 -2.0 97.1 11.8 2.81
Al Badaya’a 57.9 0.7 1.0 -2.2 99.6 12.3 2.99
Riyadh Al Khabra 56.2 0.7 1.9 -0.2 98.2 12.5 3.38
Al Asyah 65.8 0.7 0.3 -3.9 92.3 13.4 -
Al Nabhanya 65.6 0.8 - -0.8 - 15.6 -
Uyun Al Jiwa 62.7 0.8 0.5 -1.2 - 17.4 -
Al Shammasiya 64.7 0.8 1.1 -1.1 - 14.6 -
Oklat AlSkoor 59.3 0.8 0.3 -1.2 99.4 15.0 -
Daria 58.7 0.8 - -2.1 99.6 13.5 -

For some cities, such as Buraidah, production during the 2016–2018

the housing market seems to be on a period, they still recorded an increase
self-correcting trend, where a decline in vacant housing (see table 3.4). This
in housing production between 2016 could be attributed to other factors
and 2018 resulted in a reduction in such as the housing tenure type Riyadh Al Khabra, Al Badaya’a and
the share of vacant housing. The in which an increase in employer Buraidah cities which record the highest
situation is, however, not the same guaranteed housing in Al Badaya’a housing production rate also have the
highest percentage of vacant houses.
in the smaller cities of Al Badaya’a and Riyadh Al Khabra could have an
and Riyadh Al Khabra where, despite overall negative effect on demand for
a significant reduction in housing rental housing.

48
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Table 3.4 Housing production and occupancy trends in select cities

Buraidah Ar Rass Al Mithnab Al Bakiriyah Al Badaya’a Riyadh Al Khabra

2016 2017 2018 2016 2017 2018 2016 2017 2018 2016 2017 2018 2016 2017 2018 2016 2017 2018
Housing Production per
15.3 15.6 12 18.8 18.2 12.3 16.2 19.5 10.1 - 39.3 34.3 35 24.5 14.4 36.4 27.5 16
1000 population
% Vacant housing units 4.51 4.05 3 1.48 1.14 0.77 2.46 2.18 - 3.73 3.46 2.81 1.86 1.93 2.99 2.44 2.38 3.38

The good performance in housing indicators in Al-Qassim’s cities points to adequate housing throughout the region,
which is an important prerequisite for increased productivity, high quality of life and a healthy population.

3.6 Al-Qassim’s cites depict huge variations in access to basic services

Access to basic services such universal connectivity in Al Mithnab varies hugely across the region’s
as water, sanitation and reliable (see figure 3.9). Despite these huge cities, and ranges from total lack
electricity supply are key variations in access to piped water, of connectivity in six cities to a
determinants of the quality of life there is no acute shortage in access maximum connectivity of 98.6 per
of populations as well as their to water in any of the cities since cent in Al Mithnab city (see figure
productivity. Urban residents who all households are able to access 3.9). In Buraidah, only 73.8 per cent
have access to water within the potable water within 200 metres from of the households are connected
household are, for example, likely their home, which meets the globally to sanitation services. However,
to spend more time in economically recommended standards. In total, 12 the low levels of connectivity to
productive activities than those who of the 13 cities depend on rainwater sanitation (sewer) services do not
must resort to vendors or sources which is stored in tanks, with cities imply a total lack thereof, as most
very far away. Equally, members such as Daria relying on this source households without connection to
of a household who have reliable for most of their water needs (see main sewer lines rely on alternatives,
access to electricity can extend their box 3.4). This points to a paradoxical which consist mostly of septic tanks.
work hours into the night, unlike situation; a water-rich region where The recorded levels of access to
households without. not all households have access to the sanitation services in Al-Qassim
resource in their premises and must mirrors the overall situation in the
Provision of water, sanitation and spend a significant amount of time nation in 2017, where only 56 per
electricity (the basic services) varies accessing supplies. Time-consuming cent of the population had access
significantly across Al-Qassim’s searches for water have a negative to improved sanitation facilities
cities. All 13 cities record universal impact on the overall quality of life (including shared ones) which were
access to electricity, while sanitation for residents of most of the region’s connected to a sewer network. This
is the least accessible service. The cities. compared with 44 per cent who
share of households connected to relied on septic tanks and less than
water varies widely, from total lack Similarly, household connectivity 1 per cent who relied on latrines and
of piped water in the smaller cities to sanitation services (main sewer) other facilities.17
such as Oklat Alskoor and Daria to

49
 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

Increasing service delivery efficiency: the panacea for Al-Qassim’s universal urban access to basic
BOX 3.3 services?

The Urban Development Authority in Al-Qassim regional government and individual municipal authorities recognize
the role that access to basic services plays in enhancing the quality of life for its citizens. An important step towards
achieving universal access to such services is reducing the number of days in which the services are delivered.

Over the last five years, the regional government and individual municipalities have been working at improving the
delivery of basic services, particularly with regard to the time taken to delivery water and sanitation to users. The result
of multilevel interventions has been, in most cities between 2016 and 2018), the halving in number of days required to
deliver water and sanitation. This increased efficiency in service delivery is likely to enhance the quality of life.

Days to deliver sanitation services

100

80

60

40

20

0
2016 2017 2018

Buraidah Unaizah Ar Rass Al Mithnab

Al Bakiriyah Al Badaya'a Riyadh Al Khabra

Days to deliver water services

80

60

40

20

0
2016 2017 2018

Buraidah Unaizah Ar Rass Al Mithnab

Al Bakiriyah Al Badaya'a Riyadh Al Khabra Al Asyah
Al Nabhanya Uyun Al Jiwa Al Shammasiya

50
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Figure 3.9 Household access to basic services (water, electricity and sanitation)

100

80

60

40

20

HH connection to water HH connection to sanitation HH connection to electricity % of HH with access to potable water within 200 m from house

* Throughout 2019 and the first half of 2020, most cities in Al-Qassim Region recorded increased investment in expanding the water and sewerage networks,
with a positive impact on enhanced connectivity to households.

Shamasiya Museum, Al Shammasiya © Qassim Urban Observatory

51
 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

3.6.1 Cities in Al-Qassim

overconsume water, overproduce Al-Qassim’s high precipitation contributes to reliance on
waste Box 3.4 rainwater for city water supply

The level of water consumption Twelve of the 13 main cities in Al-Qassim rely on rainwater for a part of their daily
in most of Al-Qassim’s cities is needs. In Daria city, rain is the most important source of water, with about 62 per
significantly high. The daily water cent of the population relying on this source. Associated with the high level of use
usage per person per day ranges of rainwater is a relatively high proportion of the population across all cities that
from 139 litres to 371.6 litres, rely on storage tanks for their water source. Such is the case in Daria, where about
which closely compares with 80 per cent of the population gets its drinking water from storage tanks. Despite
trends in developed countries. the highwater consumption and wastage trends reported in Al-Qassim’s cities,
This consumption is, however, the region’s high precipitation can be harvested to increase water supply while
higher than the estimated basic preserving underground reserves.
daily requirements of 50–100
litres/person/day,18 implying an Ratio of Drinking water sources
overconsumption of water. In addition population
served by
to the high-water consumption, most rainwater Public Bottled
cities in Al-Qassim record a very high drainage Tanks Other
network water
rate of water wastage, ranging from projects
9.5 per cent to 27.8 per cent of the
Buraidah 13 75.7 11.2 12.9
total annual water produced (see
table 3.5). Unaizah 13 44.4 15.5 8.3

While Al-Qassim is a water-rich Ar Rass 35 64.5 17.2 18.1 0.2

region, compared with the other
regions in KSA, the prevailing water Al Mithnab 25.1 69.8 7.1 23.1
consumption and wastage trends
point to an over extraction of the Al Bakiriyah 39.5 69.2 14.8 15.8 0.2
resource. If uncorrected in the short
Al Badaya’a 18.8 71 9.7 19.3
term the situation would significantly
and negatively affect future water Riyadh Al
supply throughout the region. A good 77.2 8.4 14.2 0.2
Khabra
alternative for Al-Qassim’s cities
would be to put in place structures Al Asyah 33.04 52.2 13 3.8 31
to improve wastewater treatment to
levels equivalent to, or higher than Al Nabhanya 18 67.3 11.8 20.9
those currently reported in Buraidah.
Uyun Al Jiwa 25.2 72.8 0.8 1.7 24.7

Al Shammasiya 1.2 65.1 0.8 7.1 27

Oklat AlSkoor 29.8 18.3 81.7

Daria 61.7 19.4 79.9 0.7

52
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

The waste generation trends in these However, the waste generation Collectively, the waste generation
cities follow a similar one to those trends fell within the global margins and disposal modes in all the region’s
reported for water usage, in which of 0.039 to 1.6 tons of waste/ cities pose a major environmental
the cities generate high amounts of person/year.20 The waste situation challenge which should be attended
waste. In 2018, waste generation in in Al-Qassim’s cities is significantly to urgently. The high rate of solid
these cities ranged from 0.21 tons/ worsened by the prevailing waste waste collection, which exceeds 93
person/year in Al-Asyah to 0.7 tons/ management modes, wherein 6 of 12 per cent in all cities, implies that most
person/year in Al Bakiriyah. Most cities dispose all their solid waste by of the waste in each city is centrally
cities exceeded the global average burying. For the other six cities which managed, which presents a major
of 0.26 tons/person/year19 (see table adopt some form of recycling, the opportunity for recycling.
3.5). volume of recycled waste is too low
compared to the actual volume of
waste produced (see table 3.5).

Table 3.5 Water consumption and waste management trends in Al-Qassim’s cities

Water Solid waste Volume of solid waste by disposal Share of

Annual % of
consumption generated method (%) household
wastage of wastewater
(liters/person/ (tonnes/person/ waste collected
Burying Recycling water (%) treated
day) year) (%)

Buraidah 269.3 0.42 92.6 7.4 10 96.7 94.6

Unaizah 254.9 0.37 97.5 2.5 27.8 98.1 0.887

Ar Rass 262.8 0.48 95 5 15.5 98.4 75.4

Al Mithnab 154 0.41 96.4 3.6 21.9 99.1 53.8

Al Bakiriyah 210.5 0.7 100 10 99.6

Al Badaya’a 139.3 0.59 99 1 18.5 98.4

Riyadh Al Khabra - 0.55 99.9 0.1 9.5 99.3

Al Asyah 371.6 0.21 100 16.5 98

Al Nabhanya 319.6 0.57 100 10 99.4

Uyun Al Jiwa - 0.58 100 27.8 99.6

Al Shammasiya 266 0.4 100 9.9 99.6

Oklat AlSkoor 210 0.34 100 - 93.3

Daria 0.3 97.3

53
 Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

Lifestyle and disease prevalence increases risk of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 in Al-Qassim’s
BOX 3.5 cities

In the era of COVID-19, more than one fifth of the population in Al-Qassim’s cities is at a high risk of experiencing
severe impacts from the pandemic and other related respiratory diseases. By considering smoking rate only, for
example, nine of the 13 main cities in Al-Qassim record a higher smoking rate than the 2017 global average of
20.49,21 which implies higher COVID-19 risks. Other factors that increase the risks of coronavirus and other associated
infections include a moderate to high diabetes prevalence that ranges from 3.4 per cent in Oklat Alskoor to 7.7 per cent
in Buraidah (against a global average reported at 8.5 per cent in 2014).22

Smoking rate Diabetes prevalence rate

28.1

30
24.4

25

25
23.3

22.8
25
21.7

20.5
20.3

21

20

17

15.4
15
11

10
7.7

7.1
6.8

5.5

5.3
4.5

4.2
5

3.9

4.1
3.6
3.4

3.4

0
Buraidah

Unaizah

Ar Rass

Al Mithnab

Al Bakiriyah

Al-Badaya'a

Riyadh Al Khabra

Al Asyah

Al Nabhanya

Uyun Al Jiwa

Al Shammasiya

Oklat AlSkoor

Daria

Endnotes

1. Ndugwa, R., R. Opiyo, D. Mwaniki, O. Odhiambo, “Social Development and Security for Smart Economic
Development”, in Smart Economy in Smart Cities, Kumar T.M.Vl eds. (Springer, Singapore, 2017).
2. United Nations, “World crime trends and emerging issues and responses in the field of crime prevention and
criminal justice”. Report E/CN.15/2017/10 (2017).
3. The GlobalEconomy.com, “Robbery rate - Country rankings”. Available at https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/
rankings/robery/ (accessed on 25 May 2020).

54
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

4. World Bank, 2020. World Indicators Database, 2020. Available at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.

TOTL.NE.ZS?locations=SA (accessed on 18 March 2020)
5. World Bank, “World Indicators Database, 2020”. Available at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.
IN?locations=SA(accessed on 18 March 2020).
6. Kelly C, Hulme C, Farragher T, et al, 2016. Are differences in travel time or distance to health care for
adults in global north countries associated with an impact on health outcomes? A systematic review. BMJ
Open2016;6:e013059. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013059;
7. See Bosanac EM, Parkinson RC, Hall DS, 1976. Geographic access to hospital care: a 30-minute travel time
standard. Med Care. 1976;14(7):616‐624. doi:10.1097/00005650-197607000-00006
8. Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Health, Health Indicators for the Year of 1437 H. Available at https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/
Ministry/Statistics/Indicator/Pages/Indicator-1437.aspx (accessed on 19 May 2020).
9. Al-Hanawi, M.K., Khan, S.A. & Al-Borie, H.M. “Health care human resource development in Saudi Arabia: emerging
challenges and opportunities—a critical review”, Public Health Rev 40, 1 (2019). Available at https://doi.org/10.1186/
s40985-019-0112-4 ; Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority. Fifty fourth annual report. Riyadh: Saudi Arabian Monetary
Authority;2018. [cited 2018 Sep 3]. Available at http://www.sama.gov.sa/en-US/EconomicReports/AnnualReport/
Fifty%20Fourth%20Annual%20Report.pdf. Return to ref 3 in article
10. UNESCO, Institute for Statistics, 2020. “Literacy rate”. Available at http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.
aspx?queryid=242 (accessed 21 May 2020)9.
11. World Bank, 2020. World Indicators Database, 2020. accessed online at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/
SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS (accessed on 21st May 2020).
12. UNESCO, Institute for Statistics, 2020. “Net enrolment rate by level of education”, Available at http://data.uis.
unesco.org/ (accessed on 21 May 2020)
13. UNESCO, Institute for Statistics, 2020. Pupil-teacher ratio by level of education (headcount basis), Available at
http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=180 (accessed on 21 May 2020)
14. World Bank, 2020. World Indicators Database, 2020. Available at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.PRM.
ENRL.TC.ZS and https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.SEC.ENRL.TC.ZS (accessed on 21 May 2020)
15. UNESCO, Institute for Statistics, 2020. “Mean years of schooling”, http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.
aspx?queryid=242 (accessed on 21 May 2020)
16. UN-Habitat (2018). SDG Indicator 11.1.1 Training Module: Adequate Housing and Slum Upgrading. United Nations
Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat), Nairobi, (2018).
17. UNICEF and WHO, 2019. Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2017. Special focus
on inequalities. New York: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization, (2019).
18. WHO, Minimum water quantity needed for domestic uses. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/evaluation/
watsan2005/annex_files/WHO/WHO5%20-%20Minimum%20water%20quantity%20needed%20for%20
domestic%20use.pdf
19. World Bank, “What a Waste”. Available at https://datatopics.worldbank.org/what-a-waste/trends_in_solid_waste_
management.html
20. World Bank, What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050”, Available at https://
datatopics.worldbank.org/what-a-waste/trends_in_solid_waste_management.html
21. World Bank, “World Indicators Database, 2020”,https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.PRV.SMOK (accessed on
25 May 2020).
22. World Health Organization, “Diabetes”. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes (8
June 2020).

55
Social capital for sustainable and prosperous development, Chapter 3

56
 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Governance
for prosperity:
CHAPTER 4

Experiences of Chapter 3: Social capital for

sustainable and prosperous
development

Al-Qassim’s cities

57
 Governance for prosperity: Experiences from Al Qassim cities, Chapter 4

Image showing governance

Riyadh Al Khabra Municipal building © Qassim Urban Observatory

4.1 Introduction
Urban governance is one of the residents. Where good governance and governance processes; citizen
most important determinants of a is practiced, city dwellers participate participation in political processes;
city’s efficiency, its prospects of in decision-making processes and measures to reduce wastage of city
becoming prosperous, the level of develop a sense of belonging which resources (corruption reduction and
prosperity it attains, as well as the makes them responsible residents control); and efficiency of the urban
sustainability of its prosperity. Urban who care for and promote their city. management processes (adherence
governance has multiple components to plans, rules and regulations).
which operate at different scales The performance of a city in urban
and span from leadership, urban governance can be measured against This chapter gives an overview of
administration and management the effectiveness of its leadership the urban governance structure
to citizen engagement and systems, the extent to which the in Al-Qassim Region and how this
participation. It is both a mechanism prevailing management structures has shaped or is likely to shape
of interconnected components and promote equity among its citizens, the performance of individual cites
a process that ensures different the level of public engagement towards prosperity. Based on data
parts of a city operate in synchrony. and participation, as well as the produced by the Qassim Urban
Urban governance requires cities to measures put in place to ensure Observatory, the chapter also
formulate urban development and accountability among different actors. unpacks how each city performs
economic plans, and guides their The most commonly used indicators against three indicators; 1) budgeting
implementation and enforcement; to measure urban governance and resource allocation, 2) citizen
ensures that all urban dwellers and include those on the existence of engagement in the decision-
actors are involved; makes deliberate urban laws and legislation; revenue making processes and 3) resource
efforts to distribute growth and give collection, allocation and distribution allocation and distribution, and how
opportunities to all urban residents across sectors; multi-stakeholder these influence the local urban
and actors; and ensures that the city engagement in decision-making development trends.
is attractive to investors, workers and

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

4.2 The urban governance system in Al-Qassim’s cities make it is easy to

start a business

The World Bank, through its ease While it is not possible to access the
of doing business annual report ease of doing business in cities in
assesses how easy it is to do Al-Qassim using all 11 World Bank
business in different countries “Doing Business advocates for both indicators, the number of days
based on 11 indicators: the number regulatory quality and efficiency. It required to start a business in the
of days needed to start a business, is important to have effective rules region’s 13 cities is lower than the
in place that are easy to follow and
the procedures for dealing with national average of 17.8 days and the
understand. To realize economic gains,
construction permits, ease of global one of 20 days.2 The worst
reduce corruption and encourage
connection to electricity, registering performing cities in Al-Qassim are Ar
SMEs to flourish, unnecessary red tape
property, getting credit, measures put should be eliminated. However, specific Rass and Uyun Al Jiwa, where 14 and
in place to protect minority investors, safeguards must be put in place to 10 days are required, respectively, to
effectiveness of paying taxes, trading ensure high-quality business regulatory open a business (see figure 4.1).
across borders, enforcing contracts, processes; efficiency alone is not
resolving insolvency, and labour enough for regulation to function well. The few days required to open a
market regulation. The interactions What use is it when one can transfer business in Al-Qassim’s cities is a
between the different indicators property in just a few days and at a low good thing and indicates a simplified
collectively give a good picture of cost, but the property registry contains regulatory environment for entry
what is happening in each city or unreliable information with incomplete into business. This factor has been
geographic coverage?"
country. proven to affect a wide range of
- World Bank Group, 2019¹
economic outcomes positively, such
as minimum capital, productivity,
growth, employment. The factor
has also reduced informality and
corruption levels.3

Figure 4.1 Number of days to start a business in Al-Qassim

16
14

12
10

8 7 7

5 5
4
4 3
2
1 1

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 Governance for prosperity: Experiences from Al Qassim cities, Chapter 4

4.3 Al-Qassim’s cities rely overly on national revenues for their budgets;
invest very little on capital expenditure

A good indicator of urban on recurrent expenditure is less in the long term. Other than Unaizah
governance is how independent likely to put in place the required and Al Shammasiya which spent
cities collect their revenues and run infrastructural and social investments about 72 per cent of all their revenue
their own budgets, as well as the to accelerate its progress towards in 2018 on either wages or recurrent
share of budgets spent on capital prosperity. expenditure, all the other cities spent
expenditure. A city that relies heavily upward 80 per cent of their income
on the central government is likely Most cities in Al-Qassim perform on the two items (see figure 4.2). In
to be less autonomous to make very poorly in both indicators, which 2018, Buraidah, the regional capital,
decisions that respond to its needs is a major impediment to their spent about 97 per cent of its income
and those of its residents, while a accelerated growth and sustainability on wages and recurrent expenditure.
city which spends most of its budget

Figure 4.2 Expenditure on wages and recurrent expenditure in Al-Qassim

Daria

Oklat AlSkoor

Al Shammasiya

Uyun Al Jiwa

Al Nabhanya

Al Asyah

Riyadh Al Khabra

Al Badaya'a

Al Bakiriyah

Al Mithnab

Ar Rass

Unaizah

Buraidah

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Wages in governmental budget (%) Percentage of recurrent expenditure

Total expenditure on recurrent budget and wages (%)

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

In Al-Qassim’s cities, there is equally A common characteristic observed in most the region’s cities (which is
a very high reliance on central across the world among cities below 60 per cent for majority of
government. In Buraidah, Unaizah, Al that depend unduly on central them). According to 2018 data from
Mithnab, Al Bakiriyah and Riyadh Al revenues is that they exhibit a weak the Qassim Urban Observatory,
Khabra, central revenues account for and inefficient municipal revenue Buraidah had the highest revenue
more than 80 per cent of the cities’ collection structure. This is also true collection efficiency at only 81.7
total income. As shown in figure 4.3, in Al-Qassim, where the high reliance per cent, while in 4 of 10 cities the
only revenues of Daria, Al- Asyah, Al on central revenues could explain efficiency was less than 50 per cent.
Nabhanya and Uyun Al-Jiwa record the low revenue efficiencies reported
less than 10 per cent reliance on
central funds.

Figure 4.3 Source of revenue and revenue collection efficiency in Al-Qassim’s cities

100

80

60

40

20

0
Buraidah Unaizah Ar Rass Al Mithnab Al Bakiriyah Al Badaya'a Riyadh Al Al Asyah Al Nabhanya
Khabra

Local revenues Central Revenues local revenue collection efficiency

The above observed trends in self-sustaining in the long term. To For Al-Qassim cities to accelerate their
revenue and city spending point reverse this trend, major policy and growth towards prosperity and make
investment decisions that respond to
to a weak budgetary governance budgetary changes and investments
the needs of their populations, they
structure in the region’s cities, which must be made in revenue must improve their revenue collection
is likely to impact negatively their management systems. efficiency, which will one step closer
efforts to become prosperous and to their reduced reliance on the central
revenues.

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 Governance for prosperity: Experiences from Al Qassim cities, Chapter 4

4.4 Al-Qassim cities perform poorly in public participation, but their residents
are significantly satisfied with prevailing service provision

Citizen participation in decision- departments averaged only 1.4 during the 2011–2015 period,4 albeit
making and urban governance per cent across all 13 cities. We at a different scale (municipal for
processes is an important indicator also established that the situation Al-Qassim’s cities versus national
of how much urban residents own is more dire in senior roles in the elections for world average). While
projects and their level of citizenry. regional government departments the low voter turnout in Al-Qassim’s
Cities which engage their inhabitants where only two cities —Buraidah cities could be associated with
in the planning process, election of and Unaizah—had very few females the broader governance structure
leaders, budget making processes, in senior positions (representing 0.9 in Saudi Arabia, each city should
and which integrate public feedback per cent and 3.1 per cent of the total encourage more participation in the
in the final plans and decisions are female employees in the government electoral processes, which might be
likely to respond more to the needs departments, respectively). a good way of promoting visions that
of their residents than those which do respond to their needs.
not. The most widely used indicators This poor performance in women’s
of citizen participation in urban involvement in the labour force Despite the low voter turnout and
governance include participation in is exacerbated by low levels of the limited involvement of women
electoral processes, incorporation public participation in electoral in the labour force, the combination
of women in leadership positions, processes, where the voter turnout of service delivery modes discussed
level of civil society consultations in most cities is below 70 per cent. in chapter 3 and the way in which
in decision-making, and public According to data from the Qassim urban administration is implemented
satisfaction with the governance and Urban Observatory, only 27 per cent throughout Al-Qassim is largely
municipal services. of registered voters participated satisfactory to the residents of most
in municipal elections in Buraidah, cities; the majority of them are happy
Overall, cities in Al-Qassim perform which was the least turnout of the six with the government and municipal
poorly in terms of public participation cities for which data on this indicator services (see figure 4.4). It is only in
in elections and women’s inclusion was available. Al Mithnab recorded Al Nabhanyaa, Alskoor and Daria
in leadership positions, while their the highest voter participation (70.1 where public satisfaction with the
inhabitants report high levels of per cent) followed by Riyadh Al government and municipal services
satisfaction with the prevailing Khabra (61.8 per cent), Al Badaya’a falls below 80 per cent. In general,
governance mechanisms. (60.5 per cent), Ar Rass (58.3 per this indicates that the regional
cent) and Al Bakiriyah (50.7 per and municipal governments have
In chapter 3, we identified that the cent).i) These figures are significantly put in place measures to respond
labour market in all of Al-Qassim low but are close to the global voter appropriately to the needs of their
is male dominated, with the share turnout of 66 per cent reported inhabitants.
of women working in the different

Public participation and engagement in urban planning and decision making processes
are key to ensuring development integrates the needs of the urban populations,
encourages a sense of belonging and creates responsible citizens who care for and
promote their city.

i). Data for Buraidah is for 2018 while for the other 5 cities is from 2016

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Figure 4.4 Citizen satisfaction with government and municipal services in Al-Qassim

Citizen satisfaction with government services Citizen Satisfaction with Municipal Services

100

80

60

40

20

The positive public reviews should This should particularly be applied in Buraidah, only 63.5 per cent of
be used as a motivation by the city in the planning process, where residents were satisfied in 2018 with
administration and related structures satisfaction with the participation in respect to citizen participation in the
to engage their public further on planning is quite low. For example, planning process.
ways to improve municipal services.

Endnotes

1. World Bank Group, 2019. Ease of Doing Business 2019. Washington DC PP1
2. World Bank Urban indicators database, 2019; World Bank Group, 2019. Ease of Doing Business 2019. Washington
DC
3. World Bank Group, 2019. Ease of Doing Business 2019. Washington DC
4. Solijonov, A, 2016. Voter Turnout Trends Around the World. International IDEA

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Governance for prosperity: Experiences from Al Qassim cities, Chapter 4

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Conclusion and Recommendations

The Qassim Urban Observatory was city authorities with previously monitoring stations to track air
set up to respond to the need for unavailable timely and relevant data quality, investments to increase the
timely and relevant data at city level for policy and decision-making. number of children beds in response
to inform local decision-making and to identified infant mortality rates
investments in Buraidah city. Over Over the last decade, data generated within the cities, and general support
the last decade, the most important or compiled by the observatory has for broad policy and decision-making
achievement of the observatory has also been instrumental in analyzing processes within the municipalities.
been increased investment in local and communicating to policymakers’ Tracking should be continual.
data collection and management performances in different thematic
systems, increased availability areas. Examples include the From analysis of data on more than
of local data across sectors and production of the Buraidah Voluntary 100 indicators presented in this
more reliance on data in policy and Local Report 2018, which outlined the report, cities in Al-Qassim Region
decision-making processes. The status of performance against SDG 11 perform differently across sectors.
success of the urban observatory indicators and the required actions to Emerging from the analysis and
in Buraidah led to the expansion of accelerate attainment of sustainable discussions in this report are the
the observatory’s operational scope urbanization in the city. Some specific following key observations and
and mandate to the entire Al-Qassim actions that have been implemented recommendations which, if adopted,
Region covering all the major cities. as a result of recommendations from would accelerate the progress of
Today, observatory produces data on the observatory’s reports and data the 13 cities of Al-Qassim towards
229 indicators in 13 cities, providing include installation of environmental prosperous growth and sustainability.

1 Rapid urbanization without a regional development strategy

and urban plans poses sustainable urbanization challenges
in Al-Qassim’s cities

Like many cities in Saudi Arabia and the already experiencing challenges in access to
larger Arab States region, the 13 main cities basic services since they have expanded prior
in Al-Qassim Region experience rapid spatial to layout of the core municipal infrastructure of
expansion. In Al-Qassim, where agriculture is a water and sewerage.
major economic activity, this rapid rate of urban
expansion will not only continuously convert In cognizance of this challenge, the regional
fertile agricultural land to urban land uses, but government and the individual city governments
will also make it more expensive to connect have been taking important steps to formulate
households to basic services such as water and a regional urbanization strategy and city plans,
sewerage. and also to expand the main water and sewer
infrastructure, which is likely to have positive
A more significant challenge is that Al-Qassim impacts on the quality of life of their citizens.
and its main cities lack a clear urbanization The need for formulation of urban plans and a
strategy or urban plans to guide their growth, regional development strategy, which is currently
which if not well addressed could result in still at the conceptual stages, may however need
haphazard development. Several cities are to be fast-tracked.

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 Conclusion and recommendations

2 Cities in Al-Qassim have a literate and youthful population,

which creates massive opportunities for accelerated
prosperity if they make the right policies and investments

Al-Qassim’s cities may harness benefits from stay within Al-Qassim in the long term, there is
their high number of literate youthful population however need for creation of job opportunities
if they make the right policies and investments. and economic diversification to reduce their high
This population not only ensures steady supply rate of unemployment. One of the areas where
of highly knowledgeable people over the next these populations can be engaged is in the
few decades, but also presents opportunities manufacturing, pharmaceutical and ICT sectors
for economic diversification into the productive which seem to have high potential for rapid
sectors. To encourage these populations to growth.

3 Al-Qassim’s cities should expand their employment

opportunities and diversify their economies

Cities in Al-Qassim record a high reliance on the opportunities outside the public sector, as well
public sector for employment and high youth as deliberate efforts to create new employment
and female unemployment rates. This is despite opportunities for youth and women to ensure
high literacy rates among youth and women. inclusive and equitable development where no
There is need for programmes on economic one is left behind.
diversification to create more employment

4 Al-Qassim’s cities are connected to others locally and

globally, which expands their options for economic growth
and prosperity

Cities in Al-Qassim are highly connected to equally links their residents to a vast global
others within the region, the rest of Saudi marketplace, where they can interact, trade and
Arabia and the world through the intertwined generate incomes. The high virtual connectivity
network of physical and virtual infrastructure. and high Internet usage combined with a
The high connectivity makes them accessible highly literate and youthful population should
and reduces wastage and system losses in the be leveraged to attain economic diversity to
production processes while also expanding the ICT-based economies such as business process
markets for locally produced goods and services. outsourcing.
The high Internet connectivity across all cities

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

5 There is need for investment in public transport in Al-Qassim

as the private car driven transport modes are unsustainable

Cities in Al-Qassim largely rely on private cars, challenge in most cities within the region,
and barely integrate green (for example, walking) Buraidah, the largest city, records the highest
and public transport modes. This demands amounts of time spent in traffic each year, a
regular expansion of roads to cater for an situation that may worsen in future. In their bid
ever-increasing number of private cars, which to become more prosperous and sustainable,
in turn translates to more (and regular) capital all cities in Al-Qassim need to invest in public
investments as well as increased air pollution. and green transport infrastructure systems in the
While traffic congestion is currently not a major short to long terms.

6 Cities in Al-Qassim should put in place strategies to reduce

water wastage and invest in water recycling

Water is a scarce resource in Al-Qassim as in To safeguard Al-Qassim’s underground water

the rest of the country. Despite this scarcity, reserves and enhance the region’s long-term
cities in Al-Qassim consume water at rates agricultural productivity, there is need for a water
equivalent to those of water-abundant countries. management strategy to promote reduction
This, combined with an annual water wastage in water usage and wastage at the household
that exceeds 9.5 per cent of the total water and business levels. The cities should also
produced in the cities, is a worrying trend for invest in water recycling infrastructure, wherein
the sustainability of the resource, as is the wastewater could be used for agriculture.
amount of energy required to desalinate water.

7 Cities in Al-Qassim must reduce their waste generation and

invest in waste recycling infrastructure

Cities in Al-Qassim produce more waste per waste production and to promote reuse and
capita annually than the global average, yet the recycling should be put in place. These should
waste management strategies rarely incorporate be integrated into all the current and future
recycling. The waste disposal methods, developments for all cities within the region,
which largely comprise burying, pose a major and into the local and regional development
environmental concern. Actions to reduce strategies and policies for enhanced uptake.

67
 Conclusion and recommendations

8 To attain self-reliance, cities in Al-Qassim must improve

their revenue collection efficiency and reduce their reliance
on central revenues

Cities in Al-Qassim rely heavily on central their growth towards prosperity and make
revenues for their budgets. Moreover, their investment decisions that respond to the
revenue collection is below average, which needs of their populations, they must reduce
has serious negative impacts on their self- their reliance on the central revenues through
sustenance. If the cities are going to accelerate improving their revenue collection efficiency

9 Increased investment in capital expenditure will increase Al-

Qassim cities’ chances of accelerated prosperity

The current spending model in most of Al- investments like manufacturing by the private
Qassim’s cities, where more than two thirds of sector, cities in Al-Qassim will continue to have
incomes are spent on recurrent expenditure low levels of economic diversification. Finding
and wages, present major risks to the economic optimal strategies of diversifying their economies
growth of the region. Without investment in new is, therefore, one of the most urgent areas of
infrastructure⁠—such as public transport systems, intervention needed by city governments.
roads and ICT⁠—which encourage other

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

Overall, the data production and reporting activities of organizations and research centres, such as Qassim
the Qassim Urban Observatory and the commitment University’s Sustainable Development Centre, further
of Al-Qassim Municipality and Al-Qassim Regional contribute to new research in the area of urbanization
Government to use data, continuously, to inform as well as in formulation of workable recommendations
decision-making processes and investments presents which are based on the most recent global trends.
a global best practice on how the urban observatory
model should be linked to decision-making mechanisms The data produced by the observatory, and which is
within the city for maximum impact on citizens’ lives. presented in this report, is relevant for local decision-
Equally, the multi-stakeholder and consultative model of making and puts Al-Qassim’s cities on the global map,
the Qassim Urban Observatory, where data is sourced wherein performances can be compared with other
from different government departments, institutions, cities across the world, and experiences learned on the
surveys and community engagements is critical to most workable interventions against a diversity of urban
ensuring that the produced data is accurate and that challenges. The data is currently used as a baseline and
it responds to the needs of the populations. At the reference in the information bank of Al-Qassim Region,
higher level, cooperation between the observatory from which evaluation of progress will be undertaken.
and UN-Habitat’s Data and Analytics Unit (the global In addition, by openly sharing city-level data, local
coordinator of urban observatories) further promotes populations are able to track progress, provide inputs
production of standardized indicators in line with global to planning and decision-making processes, provide
agenda and globally accepted methodologies, while feedback on performance and suitability of projects, and
also promoting best practices sharing and peer learning. hold the city governments accountable.
Partnerships between the urban observatory and learning

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 State of urban development in Al-Qassim, 2020

71