Relationship between the perceived characteristics of the built environment and social sustainability: Sana'a City, Yemen use case

Though several previous studies dealt with the social benefits of the characteristics of the built environment within the concept of social sustainability, the relationship between the built environment characteristics and social benefits is controversial, and there is still a need for further investigations by using different methods and in multiple cultural and social contexts. Therefore, this study discussed the relationship between social sustainability and the perceived characteristics of the built environment in a cultural and social context different from the contexts addressed by previous studies. Investigations were conducted in four neighborhoods in Sana'a city. The study used a questionnaire to determine the variables of social sustainability and the perceived characteristics of the built environment. The results indicate that satisfaction with the components and design of the house and the house fulfillment of cultural and social needs are the most influential factors in social sustainability. Also, social sustainability is affected by the rest of the characteristics of the built environment, neighborhood atmosphere quality, neighborhood aesthetics, protection and safety, street intersections, accessibility, and availability of basic and recreational services. This study provided essential knowledge about the relationship between the characteristics of the built environment to social life. Architects, landscape architects, urban planners and designers, and those involved in city and neighborhood development policies and processes may benefit from such knowledge.