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Rapid changes and urban developments in many developing countries of the Arab world, UAE in particular, have produced certain home settlements which are noticeably different from traditional counterparts. In most cases, these changes pay little attention to structural, social, cultural and environmental considerations. At the same time, they take little account of the needs of such environments, over the long term, in terms of sustainability and interactive growth. As a result, built settlements are often alien and devoid of traditional values and qualities, causing thus a significant loss of identity and the breakdown of traditional aspects (Taleb, 2006). Looking for quick, sustainable-development solutions, according to immediate

and urgent need, led to the imposition of alien models which are unfamiliar to or inconsistent with the inherent aspects of the indigenous people.

In sustainable approaches, it is very important to discuss the necessity for local architecture, socially and culturally, as an essential issue in achieving sustainability. It demonstrates the significance of socio-cultural aspects of the traditional heritage and the methods adopted by people in taking advantage of these factors and values; spatially and architecturally, in their built home environments. The locale, according to many studies, was viewed as an essential socio-spatial resource in which a range of social, cultural, physical and institutional relations play a fundamental role in creating a more sustainable environment (Marvin & Guy, 1997).

Therefore, it may be rational to think globally, as is the case in most built developments, but it is also necessary to act locally in our approaches to promoting sustainability (Chiu, 2004). The locale confirms the desire to maintain continuity and sustainability. People have a tendency to associate with valued parts of their local environment in their attempts to emphasise local attributes that demonstrate the importance of their cultural heritage. This issue of the influence of several social, cultural and environmental factors and has led to several studies on their impact on people’s satisfaction or contentment. To understand this concept further, most Arab societies suffer from the effects of modernisation that led to a significant rupture in the continuity of inherited social and cultural aspects of the community. Eldemery (2002) argues that local architects should take responsibility for bridging the gap, which has been opened by the historical conscience, between past and present through the creation of sustainable built environments which are faithful to tradition by encouraging the inspiration of inherited cultural aspects.

4.8.1 Understanding and Applying Approaches to Sustainable Development to Urban Open Space

There are different visions and approaches that tackle the application of sustainability of communities (Clayton & Bass, 2002). As identified by Al Waer (2014: 29), “to develop better approaches to sustainable urban development, a deep mandatory competence and collective understanding through dialogue, rather than debate is needed between the future master planning teams”. Over 70 national, regional and local regeneration and development organisations have contributed to investigating the scope of creating more sustainable communities. There are three core aims to develop sustainable community:

• A healthy environment involves minimal ecological impact; minimal waste or pollution and maximum recycling; protection and enhancement of the natural environment; such that all may enjoy environmental benefits such as greenery, careful planning for physical and social well-being, space to walk, cycle, meet, gather, play and relax.

• A prosperous economy generates wealth and long-term investment without destroying the natural and social capital on which all economies ultimately depend; minimise resource use and environmental impact; develop new skills through education and training; and meet basic needs through local jobs and services.

• Social well-being arises from a sense of security, belonging, familiarity, support, cohesion and integration of different social groups, based on the respect for different cultures, traditions and backgrounds.

Based on the approaches mentioned above, the researcher argues that the new urban planning policies adopted by the UAE decision-makers and urban planning officials aimed at developing sustainable open spaces and squares in the new community master plans must bear in mind, regulate and include new design guidelines that future architects and urban planners should abide by. The regeneration of urban squares in cities in the UAE is a major issue, as multiple factors have to be taken into consideration during the design stages, such as the aesthetics and attractiveness of the location of the squares; their accessibility by all population groups (it is very important to meet requirements and have special access for elderly and disabled); local mitigation of urban temperatures in summer; increase of regenerated surfaces; use of eco-friendly materials; the reuse of old elements and structural techniques and materials that display durability with time and to outdoor conditions. Having all these factors met will widen the level of interaction between public urban squares and their users. However, such relationships cannot be achieved without carefully planned strategies and policy models for the sustainable development of such urban spaces. In fact, Dovers and Handmer (1992) suggest that sustainable development can be identified as a pathway for premeditated change and development that balance or enhance the attributes of the system while attending to the existing population's needs.

4.8.2 Linking Urban Space and Sustainability

4.8.2.1 The importance of sustainable urban development

The notion of sustainability represents an important issue in the field of urban planning and architecture. It plays a specific role and reveals the most challenging approach that faces architects and urban planners whose main interests are the formation of different factors of the built environment (Power, 2004). Few studies have investigated the socio-spatial implications of sustainability on people's needs, which, according to Taleb and Sharplas (2011:384),

“reflects the reality of socio-organisation, rather than the result of political or technical aggression”. Public open spaces are primary platforms in forming sustainable communities.

Social sustainability must succeed where “social well-being” is the criterion (Markvart, 2015:45). An open space should strengthen interactions amongst residents, and consequently enhance social sustainability (Harun, Zakarya, Mansour & Zakaria, 2014).

4.8.2.2 Sustainable urban development and social life

The social factor pillar plays a specific role in the plan for sustainability. According to Colantonio (2007), sustainability relates primarily to the personal and societal assets, habits, customs, rules and processes which empower individuals and groups within communities.

According to this interpretation, built environments are determined by social constraints set by social norms. To sustain any development socially is to confine it to specific relations, values and interactions. Thaman (2002) argues that “to be sustainable is to be rooted in people’s social and cultural values”. In response to this interpretation, the social dimension occupies a fundamental value in achieving a sustainably built environment. It relates primarily to the improvement of community values, needs and many ethical principles which affect social relations between community members. According to Polèse and Stren (2000), the architecture of the home and the spatial sequence of social space in community environments are compatible with the harmonious evolution of society, fostering at the same time, an environment that is conducive to the compatible cohabitation of culturally and socially diverse groups within the boundaries of the community. These values reflected in the daily practice of family and community members within different social spaces enhance the idea of considering everyday life as essential in creating a sustainable environment.

4.9 SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN THE