Quality Of Life Assessment Methodology For New Urban Communities In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Given the numerous studies, literature, theses and discussions that debated the definition of the quality of life
(QoL), however, one can argue that this multidimensional concept, the QoL, is generally related to many
aspects, including improved living conditions, subjective well-being, positive emotions, and life satisfaction.
To evaluate the extent to which these aspects are fulfilled, and to which the individual’s needs, which are
associated with better quality, are met, many models have been proposed as indicators for the individual's
right to the QoL, in relation to the capabilities provided by countries to individuals. While these models are
primarily relative to the multiple concepts of QoL, and as most of the indicators focused on the most
important objective aspects of QoL, including the economic, social and environmental aspects, it has been
concluded that there is a need for a reference ecosystem ensuring the comprehensiveness of all appropriate
means of QoL in the different urban and developmental communities, to capture the grounds required to
achieve the QoL for these new urban communities. In this analytical study, we have concluded that the
efficiency of QoL in the new urban communities can be measured, analyzed and evaluated by four aspects.
These aspects are general indexes for population; environmental planning and design, environmental
operation of urban communities, and technical support for the available environmental resources, which have
been integrated into one application that enables those in charge of developing new urban communities to
assess the efficiency and measure the QoL, by analyzing the statistical data generated from this application.
In applying the methodology for measuring, analyzing and evaluating the QoL in the new residential areas of
KSA, the housing index scored 205/160, at 78%, as it achieved more than half the QoL requirements. The
Environmental Planning and Design Index scored 530/280, at 53%, as it achieved more than half the QoL
requirements. The Environmental Operation of Urban Communities scored 45/95, at 47%, as it achieved
more than half the QoL requirements. The Technical Support for Available Environmental Resources scored
70/30, at 43%, as it achieved less than half the QoL requirements