Evaluating urban green infrastructure for health promotion: Insights from Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province

Rapid urbanization in Saudi Arabia has intensified public health challenges, particularly rising obesity and sedentary lifestyles associated with automobile dependency and limited walkable environments. This study investigates the relationship between the spatial characteristics of parks and green spaces and health outcomes in Al Khobar, a rapidly developing Gulf city, using the Corniche Linear Park as a focused case study to explore context-specific dynamics of urban green infrastructure. Focusing on the Corniche Linear Park as a representative urban green corridor, the research employed a mixed-methods approach that explicitly integrated structured surveys (n = 541), GIS-based spatial analysis, and multiple regression modeling, using a triangulated analytical framework linking subjective perceptions, objective spatial metrics, and statistical inference. Variables examined included accessibility (proximity, entrances, and park distribution), neighborhood environmental perceptions, and land-use attributes, with dependent variables encompassing frequency of park use, self-perceived health status, and Body Mass Index (BMI). The findings reveal that accessibility indicators, particularly the number of parks and entrances within a 200-meter radius, significantly influence park visitation frequency. Subjective perceptions of pedestrian safety, comfort, and the presence of exercise-inducing environments were also critical predictors of physical activity and health outcomes. While BMI was more strongly shaped by personal characteristics such as age, gender, and lifestyle behaviors, proximity to parks within 400 m was associated with patterns consistent with improved behavioral outcomes, which are associated with patterns consistent with improved behavioral outcomes related to obesity risk. These results underscore the role of urban parks not merely as recreational amenities but as critical health-promoting infrastructure. The study provides evidence supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Quality of Life Program, emphasizing the importance of embedding accessible, pedestrian-friendly green spaces into urban planning to foster healthier, more resilient communities.