Neighbourhood layout design and its impact on the social well-being of inhabitants in the Qatari context: a mixed-methods study

Purpose This study aims to investigate how neighbourhood layout typologies impact residents' social well-being in Doha, Qatar, addressing the limited empirical evidence in rapidly urbanizing Middle Eastern contexts and focusing on urban form elements critical for quality of life. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach was employed across six distinct Doha neighbourhoods selected for varied spatial typologies (grid, loop and cul-de-sac). Methodologies included structured interviews, systematic observations, questionnaire surveys and space syntax analysis. Findings Spatial attributes such as proximity, connectivity and visual integration significantly influence residents' social interactions, perceived safety and privacy levels with higher integration values (average Rn = 0.646), fostered stronger social networks (average 21 known neighbours) and higher perceptions of safety. Conversely, cul-de-sacs with lower connectivity and integration (average Rn = 0.429), limited pedestrian activity, restricted social networks (average 13 known neighbours) and raised privacy concerns, reflecting Qatar's privacy-centric cultural norms. The study reveals a tension where design features promoting connectivity sometimes conflict with deep-seated needs for privacy. Research limitations/implications The findings highlight the critical need for context-sensitive urban design. While the study provides valuable insights, generalizability may be limited by its focus on specific neighbourhoods in Doha and winter observations; further research across seasons and more diverse contexts is implied. Social implications This research demonstrates how specific neighbourhood designs directly affect community social health by shaping opportunities for interaction, influencing perceptions of safety and impacting residents' experience of culturally specific privacy needs. Originality/value This study provides novel empirical evidence on the interplay between urban form and social well-being within the under-researched Qatari context. It offers culturally and climatically nuanced insights to guide sustainable urban development, challenging a direct application of Western urban design theories like New Urbanism and demonstrating the need to integrate socio-cultural factors into space syntax models.