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Compactness, connectivity, and walking accessibility on the neighborhood level according to sustainability certifications: improvement or downgrade? A case study of Cairo, Egypt

Author

Listed:
  • Amr Ah. Gouda

    (Zentrum Technik und Gesellschaft (ZTG), Technische Universität Berlin
    Ain Shams University)

  • Houshmand E. Masoumi

    (Zentrum Technik und Gesellschaft (ZTG), Technische Universität Berlin)

Abstract

Urban sustainability certifications (USCs) urge developers to exceed the local norms and regulatory requirements to attain sustainability. USCs are gaining international recognition as planning and policy support tools. This study aims to assess the relevance of four USCs (LEED for Neighborhood Development, BREAAM communities, CASBEE for Urban Development, and Pearl Community Rating System) in contexts outside their country of origin using Cairo Governorate as a case study. The study focuses on compactness, street connectivity, and walking accessibility as prominent components for sustainable mobility and urban form at the neighborhood level. The study examines 202 neighborhoods in Cairo in terms of compactness and then focuses on eight urban areas in different locations and with different characteristics to assess their connectivity and walking accessibility. Different analyses were performed with ArcGIS software using data about neighborhoods’ population, residential units, street networks, established buildings, buildings’ outlines and heights, and detailed uses. Results show that USCs’ indicators and thresholds are generally lenient and insensitive to the context of formal areas in Cairo Governorate, which are significantly more compact, mixed (horizontally and vertically), and connected. This study adds to the currently limited empirical evidence refuting the use of some USCs as global tools and questioning their utilization in different contexts either as they are or even through an adaptation process.

Suggested Citation

  • Amr Ah. Gouda & Houshmand E. Masoumi, 2018. "Compactness, connectivity, and walking accessibility on the neighborhood level according to sustainability certifications: improvement or downgrade? A case study of Cairo, Egypt," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 413-449, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jgeosy:v:20:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s10109-018-0272-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10109-018-0272-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Handy, Susan, 2002. "Smart Growth and The Transportation-Land Use Connection: What Does the Research Tell Us?," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt5kh4f7fp, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    2. Yongxin Deng, 2016. "Challenges and complications in neighborhood mapping: from neighborhood concept to operationalization," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 229-248, July.
    3. Daniels, Rhonda & Mulley, Corinne, 2013. "Explaining walking distance to public transport: The dominance of public transport supply," The Journal of Transport and Land Use, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, vol. 6(2), pages 5-20.
    4. Karathodorou, Niovi & Graham, Daniel J. & Noland, Robert B., 2010. "Estimating the effect of urban density on fuel demand," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 86-92, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ferrari, S. & Zoghi, M. & Blázquez, T. & Dall’O’, G., 2022. "Towards worldwide application of neighborhood sustainability assessments: A systematic review on realized case studies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Certifications systems; Sustainability assessment; Compactness; Walking accessibility; Street network connectivity; Cairo Governorate;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure

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