Government's Role in Saudi Arabian Village Development: The Case of Al-Yazeed

Abstract

This is a study of the impact of governmental policies on space and cultural landscape changes in the village of Al-Yazeed (Asir Province) in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from residents via a questionnaire, interviews, a field survey, government reports and handwritten documents. The study revealed that the settled residents of Asir Region are still living in a clanship but it has been weakened as a result of socio-economic development taking place in Saudi Arabia. It also showed that the nuclear pattern of the Saudi village which is based upon the clanship system as represented in Al-Yazeed has dramatically changed to a dispersal sprawl as a result of the development which has taken place over the last thirty five years. The vertical type of Saudi house has changed to one spacious floor with large rooms and windows, but privacy is still considered in such a conservative Islamic society. Finally, timing and function of weekly markets have changed to meet the new requirements of the fast developing Saudi society. Al-Yazeed is not the only example. Other parts of Saudi Arabia have witnessed similar changes