Optimal Density Thresholds for Spatial Justice: Balancing Affordability and Sustainability in Kabul's Fragile Urban Landscape

This study examines the multifaceted dynamics of unsustainable urban congestion, a pressing challenge in contemporary urban environments. The concentration of population and activity in limited urban zones often results in inequitable socio-economic outcomes, disproportionately impacting low-income communities. Within this framework, the research investigates the role of urban density in promoting equitable residential planning. Focusing on Nila Bagh, a densely populated neighborhood in Kabul, Afghanistan, the study explores how varying residential densities influence housing affordability, household income distribution, and employment accessibility. Using a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative analyses, the study provides a comprehensive perspective on these interrelations. Findings reveal that residential densities between ۱۰,۰۰۰ and ۴۰,۰۰۰ individuals per square kilometer constitute a sustainable threshold, balancing housing demand and urban service pressures. The optimal density of ۲۵,۰۰۰ individuals per square kilometer ensures affordability while mitigating congestion and environmental degradation. Conversely, densities exceeding ۴۰,۰۰۰ individuals per square kilometer exacerbate air quality decline and spatial overcrowding without proportional benefits to affordability. The research emphasizes the necessity of context-sensitive urban density planning that aligns with socio-economic and environmental benchmarks. By addressing vulnerabilities in low- and middle-income housing, the study contributes actionable insights for policymakers and urban planners in rapidly urbanizing and governance-fragile contexts. This work establishes a foundational framework for strategic interventions and adaptive planning paradigms applicable to urban settings facing similar demographic and spatial challenges, enriching the discourse on sustainable urban development.

Keywords:

Urban Density Optimization , Affordable Housing , Post-Conflict Urbanism , Socio-Spatial Justice , Kabul