Significance of the Urban Observatory for Urban Development Management in Cities

Abstract

The urban observatory functions as a sustainability tool in an organized administrative framework. It collects and analyzes data to produce a range of local and international urban indicators to assist policy makers in achieving balanced urban development. The research aims to prove the importance of establishing a local urban observatory in the city ofHilla and its role in explaining and understanding the urban problems in the city. The research covered the concept ofan urban observatory, its levels, significance and objectives. It dealt with sustainable urban development and compared the indicators of the city of Hilla, with the indicators of Buraidah and the global index according to data from the World Bank. The research problem is summarized as ignoring the use of indicators in the planning process, which negatively affects the level of urban development in the city. Paving the way to unrealistic expectations and estimates is a grave mistake. Especially if we are talking about a comprehensive development that requires hundreds of millions of dollars (the plan must be based on information, statistics and indicators). By comparing the socioeconomic indicators between Hilla, Buraidah and the world index. The researchers conclude an increase in the value of negative indicators such as poverty, crime, illiteracy, informal employment and classroom density. And the devaluation of positive indicators, such as educational attainment and men's life expectancy. The researchers recommend the development of planning solutions based on urban indicators. Decrease the values of negative indicators and increase the values of positive indicators on the basis ofthe principle (better knowledge leads to better cities).