The role of urban dimension in improving urban happiness (a case study on Al-Amir neighborhood in the city of Najaf)
Keywords:
Happiness, Happy Cities, Urban Dimension, Al-Amir Neighborhood, Najaf GovernorateAbstract
In light of escalating urban challenges and the growing need for more humane urban environments, the concept of urban happiness is gaining increasing importance as a central goal in sustainable planning policies. This research discusses the role of the urban dimension in enhancing residents' happiness through an applied study of the Al-Amir neighborhood in the holy city of Najaf, Based on a set of planning indicators related to the quality of the urban environment, such as diversity of uses, connectivity, accessibility, human scale, and building quality, advanced spatial analysis tools (GIS) and a field survey comprising 375 questionnaires were used to assess urban performance and link it to the three types of urban happiness (momentary, evaluative, and virtuous). The results revealed strengths in some indicators, such as urban condition and visual scale, while posing clear challenges in the spatial distribution of uses and ease of access to services. The study demonstrated that enhancing urban happiness requires reorienting urban policies toward flexible and equitable planning that places the well-being of residents at the core of spatial decisions. The chapter concludes with a set of recommendations aimed at improving the urban environment of the Prince's District and enhancing urban happiness.
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