Application of Smart Technologies to Enhance Sustainable Urban Renewal Principles: Al-Shumaisi Neighborhood in Riyadh Case Study

This paper highlights the role of smart technologies in promoting sustainable urban renewal principles in urban deteriorating neighborhoods, applying Al-Shumaisi neighborhood in Riyadh as a case study. Urban renewal in deteriorating neighborhoods faces a major challenge represented by neglecting the use of smart technologies to support sustainable development. This absence also hinders the achievement of urban renewal project goals, and threatens to marginalize these residential neighborhoods in the future. Therefore, the research paper aims to evaluate the suitability of smart technology indicators to promote sustainable urban renewal principles in Al-Shumaisi neighborhood. The study relied on the theoretical and descriptive approach based on a review of reports issued by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City RCRC and the Riyadh Municipality to analyze the local reality. The paper identifies indicators to evaluate the suitability of applying smart technologies in promoting sustainable urban renewal principles in urban deteriorating neighborhoods through an in-depth review of the literature and previous studies. The paper used questionnaire tools for a sample of (34) academics and experts. The study concluded that smart technologies can be applied in Al-Shumaisi district to enhance sustainable urban renewal through six indicators: smart government, smart physical environment, smart human, smart transportation and infrastructure, smart economy, and smart life. The study recommended adopting smart technologies as a strategic approach to deal with urban deteriorating neighborhoods, which contributes to creating a sustainable urban environment that meets the needs of current and future generations, within the framework of the National Vision 2030.