Environmental, Social and Economic Challenges for Urban Development: Stakeholder’s Perception in a Developing Economy

Due to rapid urbanization, more than half of the world's population now live in cities. By the year 2050, the urbanized population will increase to two–thirds of the global population, which prompted increased international attention to identifying environmental, social and economic challenges of urban development encompassing diverse aspects such as energy, water, waste, infrastructure, transportation, public services, and housing. Public perception of the intrinsic indicators is essential to enhance their participation in the process, especially in the developing countries that are undergoing significant changes requiring buy-in from the stakeholders. A nationwide survey (N=620) was carried out in Iraq using a 29-item structured questionnaire to investigate environmental, social and economic challenges of urban development with reference to Iraq. The items were identified through an extensive review of the literature, which was reduced dimensionality using principal component analysis (PCA). In addition to applying statistical tests on the responses to investigate the relationship between the items and demographic characteristics. Seven principal components have been identified, namely, minimize impacts; water, materials and waste; culture and investments; natural hazards; mobility and transportation; and safety. The item Safety of public places was ranked as the most important factor between urban indicators, followed by Water Conservation, Preservation of historic buildings, and Increasing housing projects, respectively. While, the item Earthquakes from the natural hazard group was classified as the least important indicator between all items. The study concluded the necessity to identify environmental, social and economic challenges of urban development in different urban environments, through the investigation of stakeholder perspectives and analysis the urban indicators by adopting computer-based assessment approach for raising the concerns and proving the validity, accuracy, and reliability of the survey data. The local priorities of urban development challenges have been identified that is represent a fundamental step to support communities in making a decision that is considered a very crucial concern for planners, designers, and policy-makers to achieve a healthy environment, social wellbeing, and economic prosperity toward adopting the longterm sustainability of urban development projects.