Influence of Urban Planning on Social Dynamics: Spatial Forms and People’s Behavior in the Public Spaces of Baghdad

It is well known that there is a complex interaction between urban spatial design and human behavior.Environment has a significant impact on social dynamics and the activities of people.It is more pronounced in cities.In the Al-Bataween area of Baghdad, the interaction of people with their surroundings provides an opportunity to examine the physical space layout that influences routines and social interactions.In this context, this paper examines the effects of spatial design of neighborhoods on behavior, emphasizing the integration of historical heritage and present urban necessities.This research uses quantitative methods to explore 57 small-scale urban settings in Al-Bataween in Baghdad.Data was gathered by direct observations and then analyzed using SPSS software to identify behavioral patterns related to the physical structure of the metropolitan regions.It investigates the relationship between spatial integration and resident activities.The technique provides a comprehensive overview of how urban architecture affects human behavior.The fact that "passing by," "sitting" and "shopping" account for more than 58.30% of all recorded actions lends credence to the notion that the physical architecture of metropolitan areas has a substantial influence on resident behavior.These findings underscore the need to include spatial design into urban planning to promote vibrant and active communities.By highlighting the need for planning to assimilate modern urban life as well as historical relevance, this study advances our understanding of the socio-spatial processes that define historically rich cities like Baghdad.