The impact of neighbourhood change on social sustainability: A case study of Jabal Al-Weibdeh

Abstract

A quick glance at neighbourhood development and progress behaviour reveals an obvious trend towards neighbourhood urbanisation. Therefore, much research has been developed to investigate this phenomenon. Only a few of these studies, however, have addressed the potentially negative impact of neighbourhood change on social sustainability and how to eliminate it. In this paper, a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between neighbourhood development and social sustainability will be investigated by exploring the changing characteristics of neighbourhoods. Understanding these changes required studying the neighbourhood’s transformation of population and built environment over ten years. This was achieved through tracking demographic transformation using statistical census, mapping changes of land use and exploring the impact of these changes on social sustainability by gathering data from residents through structured questionnaires. As a result, a negative impact of social sustainability for indigenous residents has been identified, especially the fear of becoming a neglected group associated with a high level of dissatisfaction, minimum communication and low level of social interaction between residents. Consequently, an equitable sustainable strategy is needed to ensure the neighbourhood’s stability, eliminate alterations and preserve social sustainability.