Green Building Transformation in Riyadh: A Data-Driven LEED Analysis

Authors

  • Hala Sirror

    Department of Architecture, College of Architecture and Design, Prince Sultan University, P.O. Box 66833, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia
  • Asad Ullah Khan

    Qatar Green Leaders, Jeddah 23411, Saudi Arabia
  • Husna Usman

    Faculty of Civil, Agricultural & Mining Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
  • Zeinab Abdallah Mohammed Elhassan

    Department of Architecture, College of Architecture and Design, Prince Sultan University, P.O. Box 66833, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia
  • Salma Dwidar

    Department of Architecture, College of Architecture and Design, Prince Sultan University, P.O. Box 66833, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia
  • Rosniza Othman

    Department of Architecture, College of Architecture and Design, Prince Sultan University, P.O. Box 66833, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia
  • Yasmeen Gul

    Department of Architecture, College of Architecture and Design, Prince Sultan University, P.O. Box 66833, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jbms.v7i4.12641
Received: 1 November 2025 | Revised: 1 December 2025 | Accepted: 19 December 2025 | Published Online: 30 December 2025

Abstract

Sustainable development has emerged as a defining priority in contemporary urban planning, with increasing emphasis on minimizing environmental impacts while promoting efficient resource use and long-term resilience. Among the globally recognized frameworks supporting this transition, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system has become a key benchmark for evaluating environmentally responsible construction practices. In the context of Saudi Arabia, the growing adoption of LEED aligns closely with the national objectives outlined in Vision 2030, which emphasizes ecological stewardship, energy efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and the development of sustainable and resilient urban environments. This study examines the temporal growth and characteristics of LEED-certified and registered projects in Riyadh from 2008 to 2024, with particular focus on certification trends, annual registration patterns, achieved certification levels, and the distribution of LEED rating system versions. During the study period, a total of 702 projects successfully achieved LEED certification, highlighting the city’s increasing engagement with green building standards. The analysis indicates that LEED 2009 (v2008) was the most widely adopted rating system, accounting for 622 certified projects. In terms of certification levels, Silver certification dominated the dataset with 533 projects, followed by Gold certification with 117 projects, while Certified and Platinum levels were comparatively limited. Overall, the results demonstrate a consistent upward trend in both LEED registrations and certifications over time, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainable construction. These findings provide valuable insight into Riyadh’s evolving sustainability trajectory and offer a useful evidence base for policymakers, planners, and developers seeking to advance future urban and environmental planning initiatives.

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How to Cite

Sirror, H., Khan, A. U., Usman, H., Elhassan, Z. A. M., Dwidar, S., Othman, R., & Gul, Y. (2025). Green Building Transformation in Riyadh: A Data-Driven LEED Analysis. Journal of Building Material Science, 7(4), 180–192. https://doi.org/10.30564/jbms.v7i4.12641

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 4 (December 2025)

Article Type

Article

License

Copyright © 2025 Hala Sirror, Asad Ullah Khan, Husna Usman, Zeinab Abdallah Mohammed Elhassan, Salma Dwidar, Rosniza Othman, Yasmeen Gul

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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