The Ideal City: A Planning Approach to Sustainable Urban Place Making
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This study proposes a planning approach for the "ideal sustainable city" that reconciles spiritual, material, and behavioral dimensions. It aims to apply the philosophical concepts of idealism into workable indicators that respect local identity and integrate sustainability goals. The study employed an analytical methodology that combines a spatial analysis approach using geographic information systems (GIS) for several indicators, including the land use index, 15-minute access to services, and population density. It also utilized a field survey analyzed using a Likert scale, as well as a comparative review of three international case studies (Auroville, Freiburg, and the Vatican). The indicators were applied to the city of Kadhimiya (Baghdad). The results indicated a diverse land use structure, equitable access to services, moderate population density, and high residential density. Meanwhile, the spiritual indicators (religious, cognitive, and emotional) scored highest, while the perceived safety level was average. Aesthetic aspects declined due to the asymmetry of facades and poor maintenance. While the behavioral factor played a role as a link between spiritual and material values through attention to public space, renovation/improvement within a complex framework that takes into account the context and respects the religious heritage city.
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