Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Urban Planning Department, Faculty of Art & Architecture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Archeology Department, Faculty of Art & Architecture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
Abstract
One of the key challenges for contemporary urban planners is the assessment of quality of life in new towns from social and cultural perspectives, as such evaluations provide a clearer vision for the social and cultural development of these cities. Quality-of-life classification serves as a tool for more effective urban planning; accordingly, this study aims to model the assessment of quality of life in new towns from social and cultural perspectives based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, taking the new town of Ramshar as a case study. To test the constructs derived from the theoretical foundations and the conceptual model, quality-of-life levels in new towns were first classified through a comparative analysis of the conceptual model and Maslow’s hierarchy, leading to the development of an initial model for quality-of-life assessment. The model was subsequently tested using data obtained from 127 questionnaires completed by residents of Ramshar New Town. Construct analysis was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM) in SmartPLS software. The final model identifies seven resident-validated constructs: changes in living conditions (CHL), social security (SSE), proportionality with behavioral patterns (PROP), social justice (SJUS), social trust (STR), social harms (SHRM), and employment status (EMPS). A binary comparison with Maslow’s hierarchy indicated that these constructs correspond primarily to the lower levels of the hierarchy; therefore, the quality-of-life level in Ramshar New Town is classified at the lowest level. This study demonstrates that the Maslow-based New Towns Quality of Life Assessment Model (MNQOLAM) provides an effective tool for identifying quality-of-life levels in new towns, enabling municipal managers and planners to determine residents’ needs and design interventions to enhance overall quality of life.
Keywords
- Modeling
- Quality of Life
- Maslow Pyramid
- Evaluation of Social and Cultural Dimensions
- Ramshar New town
Main Subjects
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