Quality of life in Algerian medium-sized cities: a field study in Relizane city
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51247/pdlc.v7i3.782Keywords:
Urban quality of life; medium-sized cities; Relizane; urban policies; spatial inequality; residential satisfaction; urban fringeAbstract
This study examines the quality of life of residents in Relizane, an Algerian medium-sized city, from an urban-sociological perspective. The objective was to assess and analyze both the objective and subjective dimensions of urban quality of life and to identify spatial disparities among different urban neighborhoods. The research employed a descriptive-analytical design within a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to a purposive stratified random sample of 100 residents equally distributed across four neighborhoods: the City Centre (Old Urban Area), Hay Al-Gueraba (Traditional Popular Quarter), the AADL Housing District (Modern Urban Area), and Beshmirik (Urban Fringe). Qualitative information was obtained through 12 semi-structured interviews with local officials and urban planners. The findings revealed significant spatial inequalities in quality-of-life conditions. Residents of the peripheral Beshmirik neighborhood reported lower levels of satisfaction with public services, infrastructure, and urban facilities compared with respondents from the City Centre and the AADL district. Subjective dimensions, particularly residential satisfaction, perceived security, and social belonging, emerged as the strongest predictors of overall quality of life. The study concludes that urban quality of life in Relizane is shaped by the interaction between material living conditions and residents’ perceptions of their social and residential environment. Comprehensive urban policies aimed at reducing spatial inequalities and improving service provision in peripheral neighborhoods are essential for enhancing quality of life in Algerian medium-sized cities
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