Analyzing the Impact of Urban Growth on Urban Quality of Life in El Eulma City: Multidimensional Study (ALGERIA)

Abstract

Contemporary cities are facing increasing pressures resulting from the rapid pace of urban growth and the associated imbalances that affect residents’ well-being and the sustainability of urban systems. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of the conventional urban expansion model, particularly in the absence of integrated planning, which has exacerbated issues related to land-use density and inadequate infrastructure. In light of the growing awareness of the importance of sustainable development, new trends in urban planning have emerged that aim to reconcile urban growth with quality of life by adopting holistic approaches that consider social, economic, and environmental dimensions. The concept of urban quality of life, with its multidimensional normative character, is closely tied to the outcomes of urban growth both positive and negative thus necessitating its study in the context of local dynamics and transformations. This research falls within this framework, aiming to explore the relationship between urban growth and urban quality of life by analyzing the morphology of urban expansion in the city of El Eulma (Setif Province) and assessing its impact on the living conditions of residents. The city is characterized by a pattern of rapid and heterogeneous urban growth, resulting from the interplay between official planning policies and informal on-the-ground practices, leading to a complex urban landscape.

The study adopts a qualitative analytical methodology, based on an examination of the morphological characteristics of urban growth and an evaluation of urban quality of life indicators. The goal is to provide a critical reading of the current situation and offer planning recommendations grounded in the principles of sustainable development, contributing to the improvement of the urban living environment and the achievement of a balance between expansion and urban well-being.

Keywords: urban planning, urban expansion, urban services, social inequalities, urban environment, urban morphology, spatial inequalities