The Arabian Gulf region has undergone significant changes in social housing, largely driven by modernization, economic diversification, and ambitious policy reforms such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. These initiatives aim to enhance living standards and expand access to affordable housing across Gulf nations.
Despite notable progress, challenges persist in ensuring sustainable housing delivery. Affordability remains a key concern, alongside regulatory inefficiencies and socio-cultural factors that often hinder the alignment of housing policies with local needs and traditions.
Many existing studies and policy reviews remain fragmented, focusing narrowly on individual aspects such as governance or technology. They frequently overlook the importance of cultural integration and resident participation in shaping effective social housing models.
This gap underscores the need for a holistic approach that connects policy, cultural understandings, technology, and participatory design to achieve sustainable housing development in the Arabian Gulf.
The review seeks to deliver an in-depth analysis of the evolution of social housing across Gulf countries. It examines the relationships between policy frameworks, cultural patterns, innovative construction practices, and inclusive design processes, emphasizing the need for resilience and long-term sustainability.
By synthesizing fragmented perspectives, this research contributes to developing comprehensive models for social housing that respond effectively to the diverse economic and cultural realities of the region.
Author’s Summary: The article explores how modernization and policy reform shape social housing in the Arabian Gulf, advocating for integrated, culture-sensitive, and participatory solutions.