Measuring Social Segregation Through Street Network Centrality and Land use Diversity: A Spatial Design Network Analysis (sDNA) for Selected Neighbourhoods in Erbil

Rapid urban expansion in Erbil has intensified socio-spatial differentiation between open neighbourhoods and gated residential communities. This study examines social segregation through an integrated framework combining street-network centrality, land-use diversity, and residents social outcomes in Kwestan and New Azadi. Spatial Design Network Analysis (sDNA) was used to measure betweenness and closeness/NQPD centrality at 400 m, 800 m, and 2000 m radii; land-use diversity was assessed using the Shannon entropy index; and a semantic differential survey was administered to 180 residents, equally divided between the two neighbourhoods. Results show that the non-gated Kwestan neighbourhood achieved higher network centrality, with BtE400 reaching 1408.9 compared with 106.9 in New Azadi, and BtE800 reaching 8986.6 compared with 472.4. Kwestan recorded higher land-use diversity (H = 0.81) than New Azadi (H = 0.53). Survey findings indicated stronger casual encounters, neighbour interaction, and service accessibility in Kwestan. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between closeness/NQPD and social interaction (r = 0.299, p = 0.004) and sense of belonging (r = 0.259, p = 0.014). The findings suggest that permeable, mixed-use neighbourhoods can support social integration while strengthening economic vitality through improved accessibility, walkability, and local service distribution.