Urban planning, neighbourhoods and social cohesiveness: A socio-cultural study of expatriate residents in Dubai Bhakti More School of the Built Environment College of Science and Technology University of Salford, Salford, UK Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Table of Contents List of Tables .................................................................................................................... v List of Figures ................................................................................................................. vii List of Abbreviations ........................................................................................................ x Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... xi Declaration ...................................................................................................................... xii Abstract ..........................................................................................................................xiii Chapter 1 - Introduction .................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1 Background of the Research ................................................................................... 1 Research Rationale and Purpose ............................................................................. 2 Research Aim .......................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Research Objectives ................................................................................................ 3 1.6 Research Approaches .............................................................................................. 3 Research Scope ....................................................................................................... 4 Significance of the Research ................................................................................... 4 Chapter structure and summaries ............................................................................ 6 Chapter 2 - Literature Review .......................................................................................... 8 Introduction: Urban Social Sustainability ............................................................... 8 Concept and Theories of Urban Social Sustainability ............................................ 9 Indicators of Urban Social Sustainability ............................................................. 13 Building Sustainable Communities ...................................................................... 19 Urban Social Sustainability in the Middle East .................................................... 23 Urban Forms and Social Sustainability ................................................................ 25 Social Cohesiveness and Urban Neighbourhoods ................................................ 27 Social Interactions ................................................................................................. 31 Sense of Community ............................................................................................. 33 Social Ties ........................................................................................................... 34 Residential Stability ............................................................................................ 35 Neighbourhood Designs and Social Cohesiveness ............................................. 37 The Role of ‘Common Spaces’ ........................................................................... 43 Globalisation: An Overview ............................................................................... 45 i The Concept of the Global City .......................................................................... 47 2.15.1 Global Cities and Urban Planning Approaches ........................................... 49 Migration and the Growth of Cities in the Gulf .................................................. 50 Dubai: A Historical Overview ............................................................................ 52 2.17.1 Phases of Urban Development in Dubai ...................................................... 53 2.17.2 Dubai: An Emerging Global City ................................................................ 55 2.17.3 Dubai Plan 2021........................................................................................... 56 Chapter Summary ............................................................................................... 60 Chapter 3 - Research Methodology ................................................................................ 63 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 63 Research Methodology ......................................................................................... 63 Research Philosophy ............................................................................................. 64 3.3.1 Epistemology ................................................................................................. 66 3.3.1.1 Positivism…………………………………………………...………66 3.3.1.2 Realism……………………………...…………………………...….67 3.3.1.3 Interpretivism………...……………………………………………..67 3.3.2 Ontology ........................................................................................................ 67 3.3.2.1 Objectivism……………………………………..……...……..……68 3.3.2.2 Positivism…………………...……………………………...………68 3.3.2.3 Positivism……………………………………...…………...………68 3.3.3 Axiology ........................................................................................................ 69 Research Approach ............................................................................................... 69 Quantitative Analysis ............................................................................................ 70 Qualitative Analysis .............................................................................................. 71 Mixed Method Approach ...................................................................................... 73 Data Sampling ....................................................................................................... 79 Data Collection ..................................................................................................... 81 3.9.1 Quantitative Methods ..................................................................................... 81 3.9.2 Qualitative Methods ....................................................................................... 82 Questionnaire Design .......................................................................................... 83 Research Process and Strategy............................................................................ 83 Quantitative Method ........................................................................................... 89 3.12.1 Data Collection ............................................................................................ 89 ii 3.12.2 Questionnaire Design ................................................................................... 89 3.12.3 Simple Linear Regression ............................................................................ 92 Qualitative Method ............................................................................................. 93 3.13.1 Overview of the Analytical Approach ......................................................... 93 3.13.2 Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Methodology............................ 96 3.13.3 Rationale for Applying Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Methodology ........................................................................................................... 97 3.13.4 Data Analysis Software ............................................................................. 101 3.13.5 NVivo Application and Process ................................................................. 102 3.13.6 Data Analysis Processes ............................................................................ 108 Spatial Analysis ................................................................................................ 114 Summary of the Chapter ................................................................................... 119 Chapter 4 - Research Findings ...................................................................................... 120 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 120 Pilot Study ........................................................................................................... 120 4.2.1 Findings of the Pilot Study .......................................................................... 120 4.2.2 Recommendations from the Pilot Study ...................................................... 123 Research Findings: Observation and Spatial Analysis ....................................... 123 4.3.1 Bur Dubai ..................................................................................................... 123 4.3.2 Deira............................................................................................................. 128 4.3.3 International City ........................................................................................