Residential relocation in a transitional urban environment. The case of Al-Hasa city, Saudi Arabia

Cities in developing countries have distinctive spatial structures which are different from those of cities in the developed world. Residential relocation in each city is influenced by factors which are unique to its population characteristics, socio-economic conditions and spatial pattern. This paper identifies and discusses the reasons for, and significance of socio-economic characteristics and residential mobility, identifies the factors that control the choice of new residences in Al-Hasa city, Saudi Arabia, and examines the differences in residential relocation between developed and developing countries. The study was based on a two stage stratified households random sample survey. The data used for this study was obtained, in questionnaire form, from 97 residents of Al-Hasa. Although Al-Hasa shares with other cities in developed countries some factors which affect residential relocation, the results have shown the influence of some elements of the traditional social organisation such as family and kinship ties and housing ownership on housing relocation.