Assessing the Effectiveness of Urban Intensification as an Approach to Social Sustainability in Algerian Cities: An Analytical Study Integrating GIS-AHP in the City of Bou Saâda

Abstract

Urban planning in Algerian cities is increasingly confronted with challenges arising from haphazard urban sprawl, which has adversely affected social cohesion and the efficiency of public services. This study aims to evaluate the role of urban intensification strategies in fostering social sustainability, focusing on three fundamental dimensions: accessibility, urban diversity, and proximity. Taking the city of Bou Saâda as a case study, the research adopts a mixed-methods approach that integrates spatial analysis via Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assess four neighborhoods of varying densities. The study relies on a survey of 372 valid samples (93% response rate), supplemented by spatial data regarding road networks and service distribution. The AHP results demonstrate a clear superiority for high-density, mixed-use planning; the "Administrative District" (Le Quartier Administratif) led the social sustainability index with a score of (0.87), followed by the "Sidi Slimane" neighborhood (0.82), while low-density areas such as "Moufdi Zakaria" recorded the lowest indices (0.35). The study concludes that deliberate intensification—which prioritizes reducing access distances (less than 300 meters) and increasing the functional mix index (above 0.70)—serves as an effective tool for achieving social equity and enhancing the quality of life in medium-sized cities.