Analysis of Urban Livability Capacities and Scenarios in Saqqez and its Surrounding Areas with a Spatial Justice Approach

Abstract

In recent decades, urban livability has emerged as a novel discourse in the field of urban planning and urbanization, receiving significant attention from planners and policymakers at global, regional, national, and local levels. This concept reflects the status of indicators related to sustainable development and spatial and social justice within the urban fabric, portraying the essence of the city in connection with qualitative indicators and enhancing resilience against crises, physical-content attractiveness, expansion of cultural capital, and the inclination toward urban innovation and creativity across various dimensions. Accordingly, the aim of the present study is to explain and analyze the capacities and challenges facing urban livability in Saqqez and its surrounding areas, and to identify its various states (from optimistic to crisis scenarios). The research method employed is descriptive-analytical, based on library-documentary studies, field surveys, expert meetings, and model and software analyses within the framework of Pearson correlation analysis, VIKOR analysis, and the Scenario Wizard model. In this context, 40 scientific and executive elites were selected as the statistical sample using a non-random purposive sampling method. The findings from the VIKOR model analysis indicated that Zones 3 (0.097), 1 (0.247), and 9 (0.264) have the most favorable livability conditions, while Zones 16 and 7, with (1.00) and (0.719) respectively, exhibited unfavorable conditions according to the investigated indicators. Additionally, the results of the Pearson correlation coefficient analysis showed that at a confidence level of (0.99) and an error probability of less than (0.01), there is a strong positive correlation in the first level (0.32) between spatial justice, place attachment, and in the second level (0.22) between spatial justice, social participation, and social cohesion. Finally, given the scores obtained, the likelihood of the current situation persisting (320) is higher compared to the desirable (250) and acceptable (180) scenarios.