From Urban Quality of Life to Residential Outcomes: Explaining the Mediating Role of Social Sustainability in Hashtgerd New Town

Abstract

Urban quality of life is a multidimensional concept that encompasses not only the quality of the housing unit but also economic conditions, services, spatial justice, public spaces, and residents’ subjective experiences. In new towns, the transformation of these conditions into a sustainable residential experience depends on social capacities and relationships among residents. The present study aimed to explain the relationship between integrated urban quality of life and residential mechanisms and outcomes and to examine the mediating role of social sustainability in Hashtgerd New Town. In terms of purpose, the study was applied, and in terms of approach, it employed an exploratory mixed-methods design with a qualitative-to-quantitative sequence. In the qualitative phase, 20 experts were purposively selected and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis in MAXQDA resulted in the extraction of 77 basic themes, 35 organizing themes, and five overarching themes. In the quantitative phase, a questionnaire developed on the basis of the qualitative findings was administered to 384 residents, and the model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling in SmartPLS. The mean scores for integrated urban quality of life and social sustainability were 2.706 and 2.863, respectively, both below the midpoint of the five-point scale. The results showed that integrated urban quality of life had a positive and significant effect on social sustainability (β = 0.526, p < .001), and social sustainability, in turn, had a positive and significant effect on residential mechanisms and outcomes (β = 0.262, p < .001). The indirect effect of urban quality of life through social sustainability was also significant (β = 0.138, p < .001), and a VAF of 27.2% indicated partial mediation by social sustainability. Therefore, part of the effect of urban quality of life on residential mechanisms and outcomes is transmitted through strengthened trust, cohesion, participation, justice, security, identity, and social belonging, while the direct effect of integrated urban quality of life on residential mechanisms and outcomes also remains in the model.