Perceived Socioenvironmental Determinants of Neighborhood Attachment: Empirical Evidence among Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Perceived neighborhood characteristics are linked to individual well-being and quality of life. However, it is still unclear how neighborhood walkability and the social environment influence place attachment among children, particularly in the Saudi context. Therefore, this study addresses this research gap and offers novel theoretical and practical insights. The study aims to assess how perceived neighborhood walkability impacts place attachment among children. Moreover, it investigates whether the perceived neighborhood social environment mediates this association. Data are collected from 152 children (aged 10–19) in the Al-Falah neighborhood of Riyadh Metropolitan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling is estimated on the sampled data using Smart PLS 3. The results indicate that perceived neighborhood walkability positively influences place attachment directly and indirectly through the neighborhood social environment. The findings further suggest that addressing physical accessibility issues could generate positive experiences and promote independent walkability among children, which will also help strengthen their neighborhood attachment. The research outcomes benefit policymakers and decision makers in developing child-sensitive and accessible urban neighborhoods.