Urban Livability in a Rapidly Urbanizing Mid-Size City: Lessons for Planning in the Global South

Abstract

Urban livability is becoming an increasingly significant concept in the field of urban planning and design, especially in rapidly urbanizing mid-sized cities of the Global South, where unplanned growth raises concerns about the living condition of city dwellers. With a focus on Khulna City, Bangladesh, this study aims to improve the understanding of how subjective perceptions and objective assessments of urban livability can coexist and foster the effective planning and design of urban environments, in line with broader planning principles. By integrating local community input with expert evaluations and socio-technical analysis at the fine geographic granularity of urban districts, this study reveals a strong alignment between people’s lived experiences and empirical geographic data, but also significant discrepancies. It highlights the importance of inclusive urban planning that considers both human experiences and environmental factors, stressing the need for flexible planning tools that reflect the unique social and cultural contexts of mid-sized cities in addition to objective assessments. The findings underscore the importance of comprehending the factors that influence urban livability for promoting sustainable urban growth and adopting practical land-use plans. Moreover, this study offers valuable guidance for urban planners and policymakers in designing inclusive, accessible, and environmentally sustainable cities, tailored to the socio-economic realities of fast-growing urban areas.