A PROPOSED SYSTEM FOR MEASURING THE QUALITY OF MAJOR SQUARES IN SAUDI CITIES

Public squares play a prominent role in cities and in their inhabitants' lives. They facilitate social interaction and provide opportunities for cultural, economic, and other activities. The authorities regard the squares with high importance and work to keep them in high quality, as this attracts users and benefits cities. Systems to assess the quality of the squares are needed, as they help to develop measures to enhance them. Researchers studied the quality of squares and proposed systems to assess it. But many of these systems are generic and need to be locally oriented to be more useful. This research aimed to develop a system to measure the quality of main squares in Saudi cities. To achieve this goal, the analytical approach was followed. In the first stage, a broad analysis of the literature was conducted to identify the elements that define the quality of squares, leading to generating an initial system. This initial system was evaluated by a group of experts. The second stage of the methodology consisted of an analysis of the feedback from the group's members, allowing to develop the system further. Taking into account local designers and government employees' feedback, the required final system was achieved. Using the system's elements, surveys will be used to determine the quality of the  major squares in Saudi cities. A system to measure the quality of major squares in Saudi cities and the method of using it represents the most important result of this research. Consequently, measures can be taken by the authorities in order to develop the squares and enhance their suitability for social, cultural, environmental, and economical uses and purposes