The Social Dimension in Evaluating the Efficiency of Urban Land Uses

(A Case Study of Al-Adhamiyah District Center)

Abstract

Urban land use planning is concerned with achieving multidimensional efficiency. This study aims to analyse the social dimension of urban land use from the perspective of the residents themselves, to explore the extent to which urban planning and land use efficiency are reflected in the well-being and cohesion of society in the Al-Adhamiya district in Baghdad.  To achieve this goal, the research adopted a human-centered approach by designing a research tool (questionnaire) to measure seven basic aspects that are considered accurate indicators of the health and well-being of the social fabric within the urban fabric, including: social justice in the distribution of services and opportunities; the nature of social interaction facilitated by urban spaces; the level of social solidarity; the strength of community and spatial identity; perception of quality of life; general sense of security and safety; and, finally, residents' preferences regarding the living environment and development recommendations. The results showed a degree of community satisfaction with the efficiency of land use and a high level of social interaction in the area, while changes in land use and congestion have led to a weakening of identity, especially in residential areas. The study concludes that the current plan needs to be reviewed to adopt social efficiency standards that ensure the sustainability of the area's social fabric and protect its heritage. The study recommends that urban planners and decision-makers adopt the proposed indicators as a tool for evaluating and restructuring certain uses and developing a plan that combines heritage preservation with improving the quality of social life for residents.