Urban planning, neighbourhoods and social cohesiveness : a socio-cultural study of expatriate residents in Dubai

More, BA

Abstract

In an era of globalisation and hyper-urbanisation, cities are rapidly emerging as drivers of social, cultural and economic change. Cities are imbibing the values of urbanism: the absence of intimate and personal relationships, and human relations which are largely anonymous, superficial and transitory. The concept of community neighbourhoods in urban living is gradually disappearing, which has led to more challenges for urban planners, designers and the architects.

As architecture and urban planning are expressions of social and cultural milieus, this research focuses on contemporary urban planning approaches, with a theoretical framework that assesses the social cohesiveness and sustainability of neighbourhood communities. Academic literature in key areas of urban social sustainability, social cohesiveness and urban neighbourhood planning guides the theoretical framework. The key attributes of social cohesiveness identified by primary research are social interactions, sense of community and social ties.

The aim of the study is to assess and analyse the role of the physical planning of the built forms, layout and design in creating socially cohesive neighbourhoods in the multicultural city of Dubai. The study focuses on four selected neighbourhoods in Dubai to analyse the extent of social cohesiveness evident and present and within these neighbourhoods. The study involves mixed methods: with quantitative, qualitative, spatial and observation analysis examining the physical factors of the neighbourhood and its impact on social cohesiveness.

The findings of the study conclude that physical layout and built form contribute towards social cohesiveness among residents. There is a willingness of the residents to be part of a socially cohesive society; and if opportunities are provided through urban planning, this can help foster a socially cohesive multicultural society in Dubai. The study concludes that the role of urban planners, architects are important in building socially cohesive neighbourhoods in Dubai. The study seeks to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on building socially cohesive urban neighbourhoods; more specifically, in the context of Dubai’s transient multicultural expatriate population.

Keywords: built environment, culture, Dubai, expatriates, housing, neighbourhood, social sustainability, social cohesiveness

Citation

More, B. (in press). Urban planning, neighbourhoods and social cohesiveness : a socio-cultural study of expatriate residents in Dubai. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Acceptance Date: Mar 19, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 23, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 23, 2018