English abstract
Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) exhibit urbanization patterns that are
part of a global trend driven by globalization, industrialization,
modernization, and marketization. In line with this, the growth of
urbanization has generated a keen interest in the discourse on social
sustainability, especially in response to the increased social and economic
inequalities that urbanization often brings about. This thesis examined the
impacts of urbanization on social sustainability within three geographies
in the Al Seeb Wilaya of Muscat, Oman, namely, Al-Sharadi, Al-Khoud
6, and Al-Mouj. Each of these geographies exhibits varying levels of
urbanization, with Al-Mouj displaying the highest level and Al-Sharadi
the lowest. The dimensions of social sustainability considered in this
thesis encompass multiple aspects, including satisfaction with the quality
of the neighbourhood as a place to live, satisfaction with housing, social
interaction and integration, availability of meeting and gathering places,
sense of security, and connections to place. This thesis also examines the
relationship between gender, age, income, housing ownership, and length
of residence with the dimensions of social sustainability.
Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to
a random sample of 529 individuals residing in the aforementioned
geographies of interest. This was supplemented by in-depth focus-group
interviews and observations. Key findings indicate that geographies with higher levels of urbanization tend to exhibit greater social sustainability in terms of neighbourhood quality, satisfaction with housing, and overall
safety. Conversely, less urbanized geographies tend to have higher levels
of social interaction and integration. Furthermore, monthly income was
positively associated with satisfaction with housing and neighbourhoods.
This thesis concludes with a set of recommendations aimed at promoting
social sustainability within the Al Seeb Wilaya of Muscat, Oman. A key
recommendation is the development of a place-based policy framework
for social sustainability that focuses on social cohesion.
