Urban Livability in a Rapidly Urbanizing Mid-Size City: Lessons for Planning in the Global South

Urban livability is becoming an increasingly significant concept in the field of urban planning and design, especially in rapidly urbanizing mid-sized cities of the Global South, where the unplanned growth raises concerns about living condition of city dwellers. This study aims to improve the understanding of how subjective perceptions and objective assessments of urban livability can coexist and foster effective planning and design of urban environments, in line with broader planning principles. With a focus on Khulna City, Bangladesh, the study examines the geographical dynamics of urban livability and assesses how well subjective judgments and empirical geographic evaluations coincide. By integrating local community input with expert evaluations and socio-technical analysis at the fine geographic granularity of urban districts, the study reveals a strong alignment between people’s lived experiences and empirical geographic data, but also significant discrepancies. The findings highlight the importance of inclusive urban planning that considers both human experiences and environmental factors, stressing the need for flexible planning tools that reflect the unique social and cultural contexts of mid-sized cities in addition to objective assessments. By expanding the understanding of livability beyond major cities, this research addresses a critical gap in urban studies, especially advocating for socially inclusive urban growth models like the 15-minute city concept, which can better serve the Global South’s unique challenges in rapidly urbanizing nations with controlled expansion. The findings underscore the importance to comprehend the factors that influence urban livability for promoting sustainable urban growth and adopting practical land-use plans. Moreover, this study offers valuable guidance for developing land-use strategies that enhance accessibility, equity, and sustainability in fast-growing urban areas.