Applying Urban Livability indicators in gated communities

Abstract

The main goal of cities is creating a context for people to engage with each other. As the Public realm forms a vital conduit for the exchange of ideas, friendships, skills, and even material goods. Public spaces are the basis and content for the public life of cities; thus, the livability of spaces is crucial for boosting and promoting the social life of cities and improving its quality of life. Today's cities are struggling to cope with the changes that are depleting urban life. Streets are overcrowded with vehicles, scarifying pedestrians on streets and open areas that are gradually being replaced by parking lots. In general, urban open space is becoming increasingly disconnected from sustainability, accessibility, and pedestrian friendliness, all of which are important criteria for making a city livable. However, the city's livability requirements are an essential aspect in inhabitants' general well-being, and they can be practiced and advanced where required. A modernized city should have qualities that improve the quality of life of its residents as much as feasible. This paper provides indicators that, in theory, improve the quality of life in a livable city. Two urban qualities sustainability and accessibility are described including pedestrian friendliness through layers of networks such as pedestrian routes, open spaces, facilities, and greenery. According to analysis of different precedents livability indicators extracted to be applied on a case study to arouse the livability and quality of urban life. Once the measures are devised, they are tested through a case study (compound El Yasmin in Zayed City, Giza, Egypt). Doaa Mohamed Helal Hamdy /Engineering Research Journal 174 (June 2022) A114-A127 A115 Introduction The urban environment is constantly changing as a result of new technologies, transportation modes, and lifestyles on streets and public spaces, as well as population and building growth. These changes appear to create a challenge for urban planners and architects to create a better and healthier urban life. Many aspects of urban planning today are based on the concept of livability. The concept of livable city arose as an extension of urban quality and sustainability seeking after the 1980s in North America as a response to car-dependent urban sprawl. The primary goal of this concept is to create a high quality of life and a sense of belonging on a human scale in a sustainable urban environment. In terms of "quality of life and well-being," the terms "livability" and "sustainability" are used interchangeably. "Livability is regarded as a subset of a sustainable city" because the two are inextricably linked. (Abley, S and S Turner 2011) (Woolcock 2009). Sustainability is referred as the ability to maintain the standard of living. In terms of operation, it is frequently considered as improving current and future people' economic, social, cultural, and environmental well-being. Environmental performance, urban context, and change drivers such as technology, climate change, resource consumption, and global urbanization are all factors that influence the relationship between sustainability and livability. A livable city asserts to require a sustainable urban environment. A livable city is a sustainable city; one that meets the requirements of its current inhabitants without compromising the capacity of future generations to meet their own needs... In a livable city, both social and physical aspects must work together for the community's wellbeing and advancement, as well as the individual's well-being and progress as a part of the community (Salzano 1997) (Timmer, V. & Seymoar, N 2005). A neighborhood is a multilayered organism in which residents seek long-term quality of life, which livability concerns can provide. This part works on a new settlement livable compound proposal and discusses the variables of this proposal on a master’s degree student application in terms of livable community pedestrian-friendly concept in a mid-scale neighborhood located at sheikh Zayed city in the Great Cairo, Giza Governorate, northern Egypt. Livable Gated Community Approach Livability refers to an urban system that supports all urban residents' physical, social, and mental well-being as well as personal development. It's about creating exceptional and desirable urban spaces that reflect and offer cultural and religious. Livability is a broad term that refers to a variety of aspects of urban living. People's ability to access infrastructure such as communication and transportation modes, food, clean air, housing, networks of paths, open spaces, facilities, greenery, and parks is linked to their quality of life. In general, livability can be defined as the quality of life and daily routine that residents of gated communities can experience. (Timmer, V. & Seymoar, N 2005) (Southworth 2005)