Spatial Accessibility Analysis of Universities in Riyadh City Using GIS Network Analyses

Rapid urban expansion in Riyadh has intensified spatial disparities in access to higher education services. However, empirical studies that comprehensively evaluate university accessibility using GIS-based network analysis integrating both travel time and distance remain limited, highlighting a critical research gap in spatially equitable higher education planning. This study examines the spatial distribution and accessibility efficiency of universities in Riyadh City using GIS-based network analysis, integrating both travel time and network distance metrics. The method of this research uses service area analysis and Origin-Destination (OD) cost matrix techniques to quantify both ways, travel time and distance from residential areas to the nearest universities in terms of actual road network conditions. The spatial analysis stage was set and performed by combining datasets from the Riyadh Municipality and the Ministry of Education and by processing in ArcGIS Pro using topologically corrected road networks. The results showed that there were considerable spatial disparities in accessibility; the central sectors had very high accessibility (within 0–10 min or <10 km), whereas the outer sectors had very limited accessibility (>20 min or >20 km). The analysis reveals that approximately 46% of Riyadh’s residential population resides in areas characterized by low or very low accessibility to universities, highlighting substantial spatial inequities in higher education provision. The comparison between time-based and distance-based service areas unveiled the great effect that travel time efficiency has on accessibility efficiency. Thus, the combined accessibility evaluation figured out the areas where people were deprived of services and hence, the need for strategic intervention in those areas. The results highlight the importance of spatially equitable educational planning and offer a set of evidence-based recommendations for the optimal locations of future universities to increase accessibility, facilitate balanced urban development, and create equal opportunities for higher education throughout the sprawling metropolitan area of Riyadh. This paper adds to the body of literature that employs GIS to analyze accessibility to educational facilities in rapidly urbanizing contexts.