Atlas of Urban Expansion

Population

The Population of Riyadh in 2013 was 5,552,240, increasing at an average annual rate of 4% since 2000. The population of Riyadh in 2000 was 3,311,356, increasing at an average annual rate of 4% since 1990, when its population was 2,210,740.

Urban Extent

The Urban Extent of Riyadh in 2013 was 127,805 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 5% since 2000. The urban extent in 2000 was 66,811 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 3.8% since 1990, when its urban extent was 45,887 hectares.

• 1990
• 2000
• 2013

•  
• Urban Extent
• Urban Built-up
• Suburban Built-up
• Rural Built-up
• Urbanized Open Space
•  
• Exurban Area
• Exurban Built-Up Area
• Exurban Open Space
•  
• Rural Open Space
• Rural Open Space

Density

Built-up Area Density in Riyadh in 2013 was 58 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -1.8% since 2000. The built-up area density in 2000 was 73 persons per hectare, increasing at an average annual rate of 0% since 1990 when the built-up area density was 72.95 persons per hectare.

The Urban Extent Density in Riyadh in 2013 was 43 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -1% since 2000. The urban extent density in 2000 was 50 persons per hectare, increasing at an average annual rate of 0.3% since 1990 when the urban extent density was 48 persons per hectare.

Composition of Added Area

A total of 50,422 hectares of built-up area was added to the Riyadh urban extent between 2000 and 2013. Of that added built-up area, 25% was Infill, 66% was Extension, 0% was Leapfrog, and 9% was Inclusion. A total of 15,190 hectares of built-up area was added to the urban extent between 1990 and 2000. Of that added built-up area, 36% was Infill, 43% was Extension, 0% was Leapfrog, and 21% was Inclusion.

• 1990–2000
• 2000–2013

• Built-up Area
  1990
• Infill
• Extension
• Leapfrog
• Inclusion

Roads

Average road width in the Riyadh 1990-2014 expansion area was 15.49 meters, compared to 16.29 meters in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area in Riyadh occupied by roads in the 1990-2014 expansion area was 35%, compared to 35% in the pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014

Arterial Roads

The density of arterial roads in Riyadh's 1990-2014 expansion was 1.57 km/km2, compared to 2.24 km/km2 in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area within walking distance of an arterial road in Riyadh's 1990-2014 expansion area was 87%, compared to 96% in the pre-1990 area.

• 1990
• 2013

Blocks and Plots

Average block size in Riyadh's 1990-2014 expansion area was 5.8 hectares, compared to 3.3 hectares in its pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014