Campus Urbanism in Peripheral Cities: Enhancing Social Engagement and Sustainable

Mohammed Mashary Alnaim^1,2*Mohammad Alshenaifi^1,2Emad Noaime^1,2Ghazy Albaqawy^1,2Mohammed Awad Abuhussain^3,4Mohamed Hssan Hassan Abdelhafez^1,2

• ¹College of Engineering, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
• ²University of Hail, Ha'il, Hail, Saudi Arabia
• ³Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
• ⁴College of Engineering, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia

The study focuses on the changing role of university campuses in urban and social development, focusing on Hail University in Saudi Arabia. It investigates how the rapid expansion of higher education institutions contributes to urban renewal, economic growth, and improved urban quality of life. It also emphasizes need for significant transformation of university campuses as academic and research hubs and critical nodes for economic development and urban sustainability. Particular attention is placed on integrating existing, proximate commercial investments, such as shopping centers and hotels, with the university proper, emphasizing their impact on social engagement and community integration. Through a comprehensive survey and observational study, the paper investigates community perspectives on Hail University's urban management, space engagement, social activities, and investment opportunities. The study took place at Hail University from 2022 to 2023 and used 1,460 participants through a mixedmethods design. This included 292 participants from the local community together with 1,168 participants from the university population, which included students, faculty, and staff. The research data was collected through observational fieldwork and two thematic surveys and semi-structured interviews. The findings provide insights into local and everyday community perceptions, as well as an assessment of the impact of the university's urban settings and facilities. The study concludes with strategic recommendations for improving urban sustainability and connectivity of the university's campus, which could be applied to other similar context universities looking to improve their sustainability efforts. To contribute to Saudi Arabia's larger agenda of sustainable urban development, the study emphasizes the critical role of universities in shaping sustainable urban environments, promoting economic development, and fostering a vibrant community life that includes both formal members of the university as well as those living adjacent to the university.