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L
ife in Riyadh has two faces: one serious and solemn for the day,
burdened with business, responsibilities, crowded busy schedules,
with tight agendas and fast relentless rhythm; andanothermore interesting
nocturnal lifewith amultitude of recreations, celebrations and an intimate
ambiance - leisure time that is enjoyed by all - men and women alike, the
young and the old. This night-time environment is suffused with a host of
scentsandflavoursthatemanatefromallcornersofthecity;fromthehouses
andstreets, parks, plazas andmarkets.
Inearlier times lifewas livedwithintheconstraintsof theavailablehours
of daylight. At first light people would pick their way to their farms and
marketplaces and then, with the sunset, life in Riyadh would settle down
with it. Markets closed down, the streets and alleys grew empty. Today,
by contrast, as the sun sinks below the horizon, another version of Riyadh
awakens, characterized by its own unique businesses and social, cultural and recreational activities. The result is
that somepartsof thecityaremoreactiveandvibrantduring theevening than indaylighthours.
The outward manifestations of daily life in Riyadh are a reflection of the needs of the city residents, of their
values and traditions. Moral values and religious rituals are themost important determinants of life for the city’s
residents. Prayers are an integral part of life, and at prayer time all other activities are suspended, with the result
thatotheractivitiesduringthedayandnightarescheduledaroundthesetimes.Throughout theday, theweekand
the year prayer time is a constant in the sense that it is the primary source of social interaction for the residents of
anyneighbourhood, bringingthemtogether timeafter time inaconstant cycle.DuringRamadanandEidseasons,
thepatternofprayersbecomes evenmorepervasive inthe livesof thepopulation. Prayer times aremanifestations
of social fraternity, solidarityandcompassion, andprayersarealsoanintegralpartofpeople’smost significantand
major social celebrations andgatherings.
Family and social bonds take second place. Most residents are organized in large extended families or,
alternatively, newly founded families. Family gatherings and the obligations of blood ties account for much
of an individual’s time throughout the week. The requirements of social bonds and family patterns have an
impact on the city’s service facilities, cultural centres, marketplaces and
recreational attractions. Indeed, the Saudi culture of the privacy of the
family is the most important factor in the design and management of
shopping and recreational activities.
Shoppingcomplexes andmalls areoneof themost prominent featuresof
the city and the fastest growing of its economic sectors, and are a reflection
of the economic prosperity of Riyadh and the high disposable incomes of its
residents.Thecityhasaveritablewealthofmega-mallsandsmaller shopping
centres,allofwhicharemarkedbythequalityoftheirdesignandservicesand
diversityof goodsondisplay.
While Saudi values, religious rituals and social structure are the chief
determinantsoflifeintheCityofRiyadh,itsclimateandweathersetthetone
formany of its activities.Winter and the rainy season aremarked by plenty
of country outings, while in clement weather the city’s plazas, courtyards
andeventhepavements are throngedwithresidents taking their ease.