The implications for neighbourhood social sustainability of the governance process in the provision of local facilities : case studies in Aleppo, Syria
Abstract
Providing local facilities is one of the important aspects of planning sustainable
neighbourhoods, while governance process is a key factor for achieving sustainable
development.
This research is concerned to establish the relationship between the governance process
for the provision of local facilities and neighbourhood social sustainability in Syria. The
research adopts a case study approach, choosing three relatively new neighbourhoods in
Aleppo/Syria as case studies for their distinctive characteristics, and applies two
analytical frameworks to examine the impact of local facilities on social sustainability at
the neighbourhood level as a process and as an outcome.
The governance process for providing local facilities is analysed, focusing on actors,
roles, relationships, rules, resources and rationalities. The impact of this provision on
neighbourhood social sustainability is analysed, focusing on accessibility, travel mode,
social interaction, safety and security, and sense of place.
On the one hand, findings from the research reveal poor implementation of local facilities,
which turn out quite different from what is specified in plans. The status of local facilities
is due mainly to the governance processes for providing them being hampered by many
challenges. These include the state continually attempting to control the provision
process yet failing to deliver adequately, and the weak formal participation of the market
and civil society in the governance process. On the other hand, the findings also reveal
the limited potential of the local facilities provided to enhance social sustainability at the
neighbourhood level in the three case study neighbourhoods which is attributable mainly
to their poor provision.
The research thus supports the view of governance process as a key element of sustainable
development and specifically of social sustainability. It concludes that improvement of
the governance process of delivering local facilities is a must if social sustainability at the
neighbourhood level is to be improved.