The grassroots of planning in insular contexts: Alckas village in the highlands of southwestern Saudi Arabia

This study examines the building and planning principles which shaped the traditional settlement of Alckas as a prototype of settlements in southwestern Saudi Arabia. It documents and analyzes the physical components of Alckas as a settlement in an insular context. Socioeconomic and political factors influenced the local governance, built form and spatial organization of settlements in the region. After 1932, the decision-making process became more centralized which established a new direction to the planning and urban development, but this ‘top-down’ approach, often dependent on international consultants, has been detrimental to many communities. The investigation stresses the need for a multi-level approach where regional and local views are incorporated into the planning process.