Integrated Recreation Cities and Sustainable Development in Saudi Arabia: Contributions, Constraints, and Policies
, Tareq Alrawaf 1 and Reham Abdellatif 3,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Title: Integrated recreation cities and sustainable development in Saudi Arabia: contributions, constraints, and policies
Tufail Alyousof, Faez Alshihri, Mahmoud Abdellatif , Tareq Alrawaf , Reham Abdellatif
Abstract
Please structure the abstract as:
Introduction-Aims
Method
Results and interpretation
Line 58: Table 1: Long climate records for Dammam and Al-Ahsa monitoring stations
Please write the numbers with decimals using . instead the ,
e.g. correct: 34.5 not 34,5
Line 182: ….(223 km2 planned developed area).
Please correct, type 223 km2
Line 189: Figure 3: The main elements of Qiddiya Recreation City
Please insert some toponyms for better orientation of the reader
Line 252: …QuestionPro was used to create the electronic questionnaire, share the survey…
Please indicate some details about the content of the questionnaire.
Line: 258: The sample of the study can be described as follows…
Please represent graphic the obtained data for more visibility for the journal readers
Line 383: Li [11] ….. “multiple images of recreational activities are making urban areas more livable and 384 improving the health status of their populations.
Please complete the citation also with the page because of the ,,mot a mot citation``
References
Line 596
. "Qiddiya Features of Attractions." Qiddiya Investment Company. www.qiddiya.com (accessed. 596
Please complete reference no 1
Please cite also:
Ilieş Alexandru, Grama Vasile, (2010), The external western Balkan border of the European Union and its borderland: Premises for building functional transborder territorial systems, in Annales. Annals for Istrian and Mediteranian Studies, Series Historia et Sociologia, ISSN 1408-5348, 20, 2010, 2, Zalozba Annales, Koper, Slovenia, pag. 457-469, (http://www.culture.si/en/Annales_Journal);
Ilieş Marin, Ilieş Dorina, Josan Ioana, Ilieş Alexandru, Ilieş Gabriela, (2010), The Gateway of Maramureş Land. Geostrategical Implications in Space and Time, in Annales. Annals for Istrian and Mediteranian Studies, Series Historia et Sociologia, ISSN 1408-5348, 20, 2010, 2, Zalozba Annales, Koper, Slovenia, pag. 469-480, (http://www.culture.si/en/Annales_Journal)
What is the main question addressed by the research?
The main question addressed is of high importance for recreation, tourism and public health for Saudi society. The paper review of wide range of articles in this research domain, their advantages and disadvantages etc
Is it relevant and
interesting?
The paper is relevant especially nowadays in postpandemic period in complex environment of Arabia Saudi. It synthetizes the actual available literature data, focus mainly on "recreational development" a necessary step to achieve environmental, economic, and social sustainability for the Saudi society
How original is the topic?
Is an actual topic with medium degree of originality; but it is important subject especially in the post pandemic period, authors findings confirmed that wellbeing of individuals, families, and society, is under priority development in the whole country of Saudi Arabia
What does it add to the subject
area compared with other published material?
The paper is well documented because the authors cited more than 47 scientific published articles, updated to 2021.
Is the paper well written?
The paper is well written. The quality of English translation is good.
Is the text clear and easy to read?
The text is well structured, clear and easy to read from the specialists in the field but as well as from the persons from public.
Are the conclusions consistent with the evidence and arguments presented?
The conclusions are consistent and underline the idea that the research should be still developed and tested; to have recreational facilities that promote better quality of life and environment for their residents and visitors. To ensure that these recreational facilities reach global standards.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
In general, the use of 'Integrated Recreation Cities (IRC)' comes across as an established and common practice worldwide- which is not, maybe?
Recreational land use is widespread globally but is not defined as 'integrated cities'. In this paper, the term Recreation use or land use and Recreation city/cities are mixed up when referenced papers discuss green areas or parks with multi uses. This use of natural resources for recreation is not and should not be defined within the context of what the authors titled 'Integrated Recreation Cities (IRC)'.
Due to local needs in Saudi Arabia, climate and environmental conditions, IRC might be an interesting approach to develop. The Authors can clarify that IRC in SA is different from the general global definition of recreational land use and provide examples globally of what land use can fit the definition of an IRC. Unfortunately, no single example of an international IRC site is mentioned in this paper.
The authors might consider the following:
- Set a baseline of the definition and the parameters of an IRC (scale location, use, activities, facilities..etc.). Are you using Qiddiya in SA as a basline?
- Provide at least ten international examples that fit this IRC definition.
- Locally, what is the spectrum of use, scale and facilities that an IRC in SA looks like?
- Now comes the potential IRC contribution to sustainable development in SA survey.
The mixed-up between the term Recreation use and Recreation city/cities adapted in this paper is evident below:
Line 11 and 12 – This sentence cones across that: there are already IRCs in SA, proven to be necessary, and then there is just one. The idea can be elaborated more clearly.
Line 466 - In Biedenweg et al. [10] did not come across 'Recreation Cities' in the paper. The Authors may consider rephrasing this referencing sentence. Biedeweg discusses recreational landscapes.
Line 469 - In Leal-Filho et al. [28] did not come across 'Recreation Cities' in the paper. The Authors may consider rephrasing this referencing sentence.
Line 486 - In Poelman [42] did not come across 'recreation city' in the paper. The Authors may consider rephrasing this referencing sentence. However, Poelman provides an interesting set of recreational use such as gardens, zoos, parks, and castle parks.
Line 489 - As of the above check Hollar et al., [25].
Line 497 - As of the above, considering checking Arvanitidis & Papagiannitsis [44] don't have access to this one.
It would be good to see how the authors are addressing the above issue and how it fits into the survey, before going into the numbers and providing comments on the survey. Which looks rigorous and strong.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
