A Methodology to Measure Urban Quality of Life in New Cities in Egypt (New Damietta Case Study)

Abstract

In recent years, the notion of quality of urban life (QUL) has gained prominence in response to the various challenges faced by new cities globally, including Egypt. This study aims to introduce this notion, defined as the urban planning features that can improve individual quality of life. To achieve this, the study examines existing definitions of quality of life, urban planning, and Regenerative growth. While sustainability assessment methods have been developed to evaluate the environmental impact of buildings or groups of buildings. Insufficient research exists regarding the impact of urban planning on the well-being of individuals. Thus, the objective of this study is to develop a methodology for measuring the QUL following established principles of urban quality of life, for the purpose of enhancing residential neighborhoods such as Modern and Intelligent Urbanism, Smart Growth, Urban Village. These principles should be useful for designers in developing new areas and locating potential weaknesses in designed areas. The approach utilized entails examining modern theories and practices in urban planning, followed by the comparison and integration of methods like BREEAM Communities and LEED for neighborhoods with new indicators. The research identifies a fundamental group of indicators of urban quality of life that are relevant to the proposed evaluation framework. The indicators consist of seven primary dimensions of urban quality of life, each with 25 component sub-categories. This research presents a valuable contribution to the literature on the QUL and offers practical tools for urban planners and designers to enhance individual quality of life in new urban areas.