Abstract
The case of Khoud 6 in Muscat, Oman, manifests the collective power of inhabitants within local neighborhoods. The research presents interventions concerning physical infrastructure and youth capacity development within the neighborhood carried by various men and women committees. This model of decision-making and financing process raise the question to the existent of democratic practices within neighborhoods in a monarchy governing structure. Following a qualitative research approach, the research evaluates the governing structure of the mosque and surrounding facilities in Khoud 6, using local, regional and western principle of participation, social capital and democracy. The research focus on both political and social definitions that are legally binding and socially defined. The result presents a local participatory model within a neighborhood scale alongside culture values that governs urban development. The democratic model practiced in Khoud 6 evaluated alongside Arab philosophers and scholars articulation on democracy provides an environment that is inclusive to the women, men, and children of the neighborhood. Recommendation on policy levels for neighborhoods in the Middle East region in inclusive and democratic decision-making process is outlined. The research concludes with an outlook on democratic processes within neighborhood scale that carries direct impact on the lives of those who live within a defined community along with the hierarchical framework of planning.
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Notes
- 1.
High levels of social capital could result on the misuse of trust leading to manipulation within a social network.
- 2.
Muscat Building Regulation as Local Order No. 23/92, that delineates the buildings offsets within plots boundary walls along within building facades both of which contribute to the streetscape of neighborhoods.
- 3.
Oman geographic location along with its current issues on the hydrological cycle has resulted in high dependency on desalinated seawater counting for over 80% of water sources in the country (Diam, 2018).
- 4.
In this paper, Mosque is used to refer to Ja’ma. According to the Urban Planning Regulation book, a Masjid is a place for worship for all daily prayers and should serve a maximum of 2500 individuals and with a service radius of 500–700 m. The Ja’ma is, similar to Masjid, a worship place with the exception of carrying Jum’a (Friday) prayers and Eid prayer. In addition, the Ja’ma should have additional amenities within its boundary such as women prayer area, Quran school, Imam accommodation, and commercial shop. Hence, the capacity area for the Ja’ma is 10,000–20,000 individuals with a service radius of 1–2 km.
- 5.
Waqf is a “… religious endowment, recognized by Shariah as religious, pious or charitable donation.” Also, “make endowment of houses and keep its gains in the way of God. By this, we can understand that waqf or endowment is to preserve or upkeep the original wealth, whether land or house, etc., and give its profit to the needy.” (Yalawae & Tahir, 2008).
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Elzain, R. (2021). Consultative Hubs for Democracy Within Neighborhoods in Muscat. Alternatives for Urban and Social Development Strategies. In: Trapani, F., Mohareb, N., Rosso, F., Kolokotsa, D., Maruthaveeran, S., Ghoneem, M. (eds) Advanced Studies in Efficient Environmental Design and City Planning. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65181-7_20
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