Department Overview :

The Urban Planning Department in the College of Architecture and Planning at King Saud University is one of the oldest urban planning departments in Saudi Arabia. It was established in 1984 (1404 AH) and has since been led by distinguished faculty members who obtained their education at prestigious universities around the world. This has provided the department with a high level of unique expertise, creating an excellent academic environment for the learning process. The department offers a bachelor's degree in one of two specialized tracks: Urban Planning or Urban Design.   

Students in the department study various courses that build their skills in planning, design, analysis, preparing plans, writing reports, and computer applications. The project courses provide students with the opportunity to tackle real-world problems and case studies related to residential neighborhoods, the environment, and the economics of development such as industry and tourism. 

The department has had a significant impact on society, as many of its former professors have held high positions in the government. Many of its graduates have occupied important positions in both the public and private sectors, playing leadership roles in the development and management of Saudi Arabia's urban environment. The department has gone through various stages of developing its undergraduate programs, the latest of which includes a new plan that shares courses with the Department of Architecture and Building Sciences during the first two years, followed by specialization in either Urban Planning or Urban Design. 

The department offers three separate graduate programs: Urban Planning, Urban Design, and Real Estate Development. This aligns with the university’s goal to expand its graduate programs and to qualify professionals to meet the needs of the job market in various environmental disciplines. 

The department prides itself on the contributions of many of its members who provide consultations to government and private entities in urban planning and research. It also actively contributes to scientific associations, such as the Saudi Association for Urban Sciences and the Saudi Real Estate Science Society. 

The department aims to maintain its excellence and leadership in urban education at the national level. The university has embraced urban planning as a field it seeks to excel in, as outlined in its current strategic plan. The department continues to strive for academic program accreditation to ensure quality education in urban planning.