Asharq Al Awsat, Riyadh – A study prepared by the Supreme Authority for developing the city of Riyadh had stated that residential buildings make up 65% of the city”s buildings and that the number of buildings, according to land utilization study, had reached a total of 36,7156, including 10,694 that are currently under-construction.
The study highlighted the importance of the residential sector, as almost half of the buildings in the city are designed for living. This reflects the increasing rate of the population, the importance of developing housing projects, creating new models that are able to meet future needs whilst corresponding with the available financial capacities, all whilst designing and planning residential districts.
The study of land utilization had looked at all development projects in the governorate. Of the total number of buildings, more than one third are assigned to housing (18, 8318 villas, 32,052 residential buildings). The study had identified 19 buildings for principal use, in addition to a road network. The study had included a definition for the utility of the buildings, their constructional status, and the materials used in their construction. The analytical study had focused upon recognition of the number of buildings, and the dispersion of buildings all over the region.
The study had categorized buildings according to the nature of their usage into six groups; residential, commercial, industrial, administrational services, multi-usage buildings, and miscellaneous.
Each category includes subcategories that facilitate classifying the usage of the land, whilst comparing and defining the number of buildings and their status.
The study had shown that residential buildings represent more than 65% of the total number of buildings in the city. The residential buildings include; villas, Arab houses, residential compounds and urban buildings, in addition to other types of buildings.
Villas represent the common residential trend in Riyadh city representing 48% of total buildings, almost half of the city”s buildings. The number of villas in Riyadh reaches 17, 5329.
Residential compounds, defined as “residential units with homogenous designs and structures” are estimated at a number of 11,727 building and they are spread all over Riyadh”s districts.
The number of Arab houses that are constructed using the conventional materials, “clay and stone” is estimated at 36, 462, and within them are a number of buildings of high cultural value. The number of cultural buildings, “that are classified so, due to its structure or historical value” is estimated at 15, 000. The number of commercial buildings; including malls, markets and retail outlets, is estimated at 18,165. Buildings used for industrial activities amount to 10, 882 buildings whereas the number of administrational offices is estimated at 12, 621 buildings.
The study had also analyzed the constructional state of buildings, their safety and the need for repair. The number of buildings that require reconstruction is estimated at 3% of the total buildings, whereas 94% of the buildings are in good constructional state and 3% of total buildings are under construction.