Saad Bin-Jassas

Teams and roles for Saad Bin-Jassas

Research student
School of Geography and Planning

I am a 1st-year PhD student and a Lecturer (Teaching Assistant) at the Department of Geography, King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where I have been employed since 2016. My academic background includes a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Cartography. My teaching and research interests focus on the use of geospatial technologies across human and physical environments, with particular emphasis on spatial and statistical analysis, geographic data engineering, and advanced cartographic production.

My research seeks to address contemporary challenges through the application of geospatial technologies to support sustainable development and evidence-based decision-making.

Rapid urban expansion has become a pressing issue in many developing countries, including Saudi Arabia. During my undergraduate studies, the northern part of Riyadh was experiencing significant urban growth; therefore, my research provided an objective framework to measure and analyse this expansion, serving as a foundation for future studies aimed at predicting urban development patterns.

Similarly, my master’s research responded to the national drive to enhance domestic citrus production and agricultural capacity, in light of the decline in local citrus output. The study presented evidence-based recommendations drawn from successful regional and global practices, contributing to informed and sustainable agricultural planning.

My doctoral research also addresses a contemporary and globally relevant issue. It focuses on analysing and predicting carbon dioxide emissions from private cars to evaluate whether current policies and strategies are sufficient to achieve national sustainability targets. This topic is particularly significant, as many countries have committed to specific timelines for achieving net-zero carbon emissions, yet the feasibility of these ambitions remains uncertain.

Bachelor’s Thesis: Urban Change Detection in the Northern Area of Riyadh City Using Geospatial Technologies.
Conducted during a professional training placement at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, this study applied remote sensing and GIS-based change detection techniques to identify, quantify, and map patterns of urban expansion in northern Riyadh, providing insights into the spatial dynamics of urban growth.
Master’s Thesis: Spatial Suitability Analysis for Citrus Cultivation in Saudi Arabia.
This project employed GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation to analyse many factors influencing the suitability of citrus cultivation, using advanced decision-making techniques and locally calibrated parameters.
Doctoral Thesis (Ongoing): Spatial Analysis and Prediction of CO₂ Emissions from Private Vehicles and Their Alignment with National Sustainability Goals.
The project integrates spatial, statistical, and predictive modelling to examine current CO₂ emissions from privately owned vehicles and forecast their future spatial dynamics, providing spatially informed insights to support low-carbon and sustainable transport policies.

Thesis

With a specialisation in Geographic Information Science (GIScience), I have taught a range of undergraduate courses, including Principles of Geographic Information Systems, Spatial Analysis Using GIS, Building Geographic Databases, Thematic Cartography, Digital Mapping, and Geographic Information Science. These courses reflect my focus on developing students’ analytical and technical competencies in geospatial technologies and their applications across human and environmental environments.

On the professional side, since joining King Saud University in 2016, I have contributed to several academic and administrative committees, including the GIS and Remote Sensing Unit, the Academic Discipline Committee, the Academic Advising Committee, and the Curriculum Committee, where we redesigned the undergraduate Geographic Information Science (GIScience) programme to align with recent advances in geospatial science. I also helped organise multiple editions of the International GIS Day to promote geospatial awareness and innovation.

During my undergraduate studies, I conducted a thesis on urban change detection in northern Riyadh using geospatial technologies, while my master’s research focused on spatial suitability analysis for citrus cultivation in Saudi Arabia using GIS-based modelling.