Designing the Socio-Spatial Context Urban Infill, Liveability, and Conviviality

Abstract

This study tackles the design challenge of urban in fill development which arises from changes in the urban form and daily living experiences. Using the Web of Science to review relevant literature published over the last decade, we found a signi ficant gap in the study of in fill development: it overlooks liveability and conviviality. To fill this gap, an in fill project in Ard el Golf, Cairo, Egypt, was surveyed using ethnographic research comprising two surveys and semi-structured interviews with site visitors, workers, and residents, and spatial analysis of the changes before and after the project. The results highlight the critical role of functional neighbourhood changes based on their impact on residents', site workers', and users' perceptions of their environment. A six-step strategic framework is presented aggregating the social and morphological dimensions that can off er designers a be er means of confronting the consequences of urban in fill projects with respect to the socio-spatial context for liveable and convivial urban living.

Revisiting Urban Street Planning and Design Factors to Promote Walking as a Physical Activity for Middle-Class Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome in Cairo, Egypt

“…Consequently, this led to their loss of financial ability to enjoy recreational activities, as they had memberships in private clubs, paid-for housing in gated residential compounds, or access to gated gardens and waterfronts exclusive to the elite. Unsafe sidewalks and traffic limit outings [72,78,79]. Malls have better walking environments but are crowded and challenging for older adults and those with walking difficulties [72,80].…”

“…Pedestrianization restricts streets to pedestrian use only to revamp outdoor shopping activities and improve the outdoor environment in the vicinity of this area. In contrast, the second mode improves walkability as a critical component of practical, accessible, equitable, sustainable, and livable communities [79]. Unlike the first approach, the second applies to all areas, not just commercial ones.…”

“…When designing a pedestrian network, six criteria are connectivity, linkage with other transportation modes, land use patterns, safety, path quality, and context [89]. Designers should consider urban design qualities, including imageability, enclosure, human scale, transparency, complexity [62,83], safety, conviviality, and vitality [70,79]. 9.…”

Introducing Sustainable Intervention Strategies of Operation Planning and Environment Design to Activate Void Areas on the Urban Fringe

“…In the context of urban regeneration, the relevant literature indicated a discrepancy between the studies and practices of infill urban development. The planning and design of some areas neglected user participation and experience, such as interactivity, joy and fun [24], and placemaking approaches were constructed as design strategies based on the person's recreational needs to participate in spatial interaction [25]. Therefore, this paper developed a sustainable environment design strategy for void areas by considering four sustainable aspects: function and layout, ecosystem management, construction materials and art and design aesthetics (Figure 2).…”

Reconceptualizing Proximity Measurement Approaches through the Urban Discourse on the X-Minute City

“…The idea of planning cities according to the proximity of services advocates for urban environments. In this context, residents can access essential services, work, education, healthcare, shopping, and recreational activities within walking or biking distance from their homes [17]. This concept represents a shift in emphasizing proximity, accessibility, and connectivity, crucial for planning more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive cities, as described in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) [1,18].…”