Service Accessibility and Wellbeing in Amman’s Neighborhoods: A Comparative Study of Abdoun Al-Janoubi and Al-Zahra

Abstract

Amman, the capital of Jordan, has undergone significant urbanization over the past seventy years, evolving from a small village into the nation’s largest city. This rapid growth has led to unpredictable population increases, creating socioeconomic disparities and affecting residents’ access to services and overall wellbeing. This study investigates the impact of service accessibility on wellbeing in two neighborhoods of Amman: Abdoun Al-Janoubi and Al-Zahra. Data were gathered from 492 household heads through structured interviews and systematic sampling. The study analyzed accessibility factors such as safety, convenience, comfort, and esthetics, and their influence on residents’ wellbeing, defined by positive emotions, social relationships, and overall life meaning. The results indicate a robust correlation between service accessibility and resident wellbeing, with Abdoun Al-Janoubi demonstrating superior accessibility and higher wellbeing compared to Al-Zahra. Key insights are illustrated, with data supporting the idea that enhanced urban service access improves quality of life. Safety and esthetics are critical factors, while comfort is less significant. Abdoun Al-Janoubi’s favorable attributes lead to higher wellbeing scores. Recommendations for urban planners include improving Al-Zahra’s infrastructure, enhancing esthetics, and optimizing public transport. Community organizations should promote social engagement, while local governments need to adjust zoning laws and upgrade public amenities.

1. Introduction

Amman, the capital city of Jordan, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past seventy years, evolving from a small ancient village into the nation’s most densely populated metropolis. This dramatic urban expansion has been primarily driven by fluctuating population growth, with Amman’s development seamlessly extending into nearby Al-Zarqa. It now accommodates approximately four million residents [1,2,3]. The rapid pace of urbanization, however, has intensified socio-economic disparities, adversely affecting the quality of life for Amman’s diverse inhabitants [4]. Understanding Amman’s complex urban landscape is essential to addressing the challenges of accessibility to essential services.

The historical trajectory of Amman reveals persistent challenges in providing equitable access to services and enhancing communal welfare. The city’s substantial growth in the 1970s, influenced by the Lebanese Civil War and increased oil revenues, positioned Amman as an emerging financial hub, particularly in areas like Jabal Amman [3,5]. This growth bifurcated the city into East and West Amman, with the latter characterized by wealthier populations and superior infrastructure, while the former became a densely populated area, housing lower-income communities and significant numbers of Palestinian refugees [6] (Ababsa, 2013). Urban planning choices such as zoning regulations, which favored larger, better-equipped plots in the west, reinforced these social divides [7,8].

Amman’s urban fabric highlights the complex relationship between demographic distribution and service accessibility. Upon examining the distribution of educational and health services within the city, it was found that these services are positioned seemingly at random, with no clear correlation to population distribution [9]. The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) manages neighborhoods with varying densities and levels of service access. While West Amman benefits from improved infrastructure, East Amman faces challenges such as congestion and limited services, which hinder equitable service distribution [10,11,12]. This economic and social divide has resulted in spatial segregation, influencing access to resources based on factors such as wealth, education, and geography [6]. As a result, studies indicate notable disparities in the quality of residents’ journeys across different neighborhoods [13,14].

Addressing these disparities, this study emphasizes the importance of improving service accessibility to enhance wellbeing amidst rapid urbanization, population growth, and socio-economic inequality [15]. Equal access to crucial services like healthcare, education, and commerce becomes vital as density intensifies. Improved service accessibility can situate critical amenities closer to residents, reduce commuting challenges, and facilitate a more inclusive, sustainable urban environment [16,17,18]. Recent evaluations by the Greater Amman Municipality underline the significance of equitable service distribution, especially in resource-limited, congested urban contexts. Global urban planning models offer valuable frameworks for enhancing service accessibility in Amman. The Wellbeing Index from Santa Monica and the UN-Habitat’s New Urban Agenda, for example, advocate for integrated planning strategies that link accessibility with community wellbeing [19]. These models stress the development of compact, accessible urban areas to encourage sustainable growth and lessen vehicle dependency [20]. Recent research highlights the connection between urban design and resilience, demonstrating improvements in the quality of life for urban populations [21]. Additionally, the rapid urbanization in some Chinese cities has raised concerns about human health and quality of life [22]. Implementing these frameworks could encourage equitable urban development in Amman, aligning local efforts with international standards.

This research investigates access to neighborhood services—educational, commercial, healthcare, religious, emergency, and social—and their impact on residents’ wellbeing, focusing on two contrasting residential areas: Abdoun Al-Janoubi in the west and Marka Al-Shamalyeh (Al-Zahra) in the east. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the study analyzes data from 492 household heads to explore the relationship between service accessibility and wellbeing, defined by positive emotions, social relationships, environmental engagement, life meaning, and sense of accomplishment. The study employs a structured cluster systematic proportional random sampling method, defining total service accessibility through micro-level journey attributes such as safety, convenience, comfort, and esthetics.

Through these insights, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how improved service accessibility can enhance the overall quality of life for Amman’s residents as its urban landscape continues to evolve. The research specifically seeks to: (1) evaluate the accessibility to services and corresponding resident wellbeing at the neighborhood level, and (2) assess the impact of different urban residential settings on service accessibility and wellbeing. Key research questions include: What components of neighborhood-level accessibility may affect service access and residents’ wellbeing? How do varying urban residential settings influence service accessibility and thus wellbeing?

2. Literature Background

The current literature examines urban and residential service provision, with a particular focus on Amman. It offers definitions of both accessibility and service access, detailing the components of place accessibility at both macro and micro scales. Moreover, it examines various levels of wellbeing, encompassing urban and residential aspects. The discussion extends to models and measures of residents’ wellbeing, incorporating both subjective and objective indicators. Finally, this section presents the conceptual framework employed in the study to assess how accessibility to services influences residents’ wellbeing within the chosen residential contexts.

2.1. Urban and Residential Services Provision

In urban development, land use planning stands out as a critical process typically orchestrated in a top-down manner within public institutions. This technical endeavor involves stakeholders to decide land utilization strategies across both urban and rural landscapes. As noted by [23], it plays a crucial role in resource management, promoting regional growth, and reducing pollution. Furthermore, land use planning safeguards lands of significant agricultural, historical, or cultural importance [24]. Land has been indispensable since early human settlements, reflecting the interaction between humans and the environment while serving as a foundation for economic development [25]. The classifications and codes that define land uses shape socio-economic activities within cities and rural areas, significantly influencing resident behavior and the local environmental health [26].

Linking planning to broader societal participation is increasingly recognized as beneficial. A participatory approach integrates community and institutional input on where distinct socio-economic activities like housing, healthcare, education, industries, and commerce should occur. This collaboration ultimately endeavors to enhance residents’ quality of life [24,26]. However, despite the diverse range of participants—including politicians, business people, landlords, and direct users—the landlord, often also the direct user, holds paramount importance in this process [24]. As planning shifts from analysis and community involvement to implementation, several key factors must be considered. These include equitable resource distribution, land usage that aligns with its natural capacity, the prioritization of social and cultural aspects, and economic viability that supports development and improved living conditions [24]. Comprehensive urban planning demands the integration of environmental data alongside solid waste and water resource information [27].

The societal fabric of cities is composed of a rich array of opportunities, such as employment, education, and cultural experiences. Cities cultivate environments conducive to social interaction, creativity, and physical activity, addressing fundamental human needs for recreation, self-expression, and sensory engagement [28]. Thus, providing adequate neighborhood facilities is crucial for the ongoing ability of communities to live, work, and socialize effectively. Early urban planning scholars emphasized the importance of pedestrian transportation and walkability within neighborhoods, noting that these factors can significantly enhance residents’ physical activity and overall health [29]. As highlighted during the Rio Earth Summit through Agenda 21, achieving sustainable communities hinges on offering residents quality housing, employment, and opportunities for social interaction, ultimately promoting equity and empowerment [30].

When examining governance structures, urban services are systematically organized into public, municipal, and local levels, spreading across the city’s neighborhoods and districts [31]. The concept of living convenience in public facilities emphasizes a spatial layout that addresses living, working, and leisure needs at both macro and micro scales. On a macro scale, the spatial design should prioritize living and working spaces considering geographical location, whereas on a micro scale, it should focus more on communal facilities and resident satisfaction [32]. This structured approach aligns with the role of elementary schools in shaping neighborhood size and demographics. The strategic placement of shopping hubs at the edges of neighborhoods exemplifies modern planning models designed to serve larger districts. Essential to maintaining this urban equilibrium are infrastructural components like arterial roads, recreational areas, and central public facilities, which foster community interaction while reducing disruptive traffic flows [33].

Services Provision in Amman

In Jordan, urban planning and service provision operate under a multi-leveled framework that includes the National Spatial Plan, the Regional Plan, the Municipality Plan, and the Detailed Area Plan. These levels are intended to form an integrated framework for urban development; however, their effectiveness is often hindered by challenges such as poorly defined standards and coordination issues across different planning tiers, leading to fragmented national plans [34,35]. The National Spatial Plan sets the strategic direction for national development by focusing on infrastructure investments and land use management. Its aim, as stated by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, is to guide development through spatial parameters applied to sectors like transportation and housing. Following this, the Regional Plan aims to tailor national objectives to region-specific needs, addressing disparities and fostering balanced development. Significant variations in regional strategy application often result in inconsistent service provision across governorates.

At the local government level, the Municipality Plan is responsible for integrating urban services to address local needs, such as waste management and public transit. Nevertheless, rapid urban expansion in areas like Greater Amman has resulted in infrastructure service delays, with city growth outpacing infrastructure enhancement [36]. The framework concludes with the Detailed Area Plan, which offers zoning regulations and construction guidelines at the neighborhood level. Despite its significance, this plan often suffers from limited enforcement and outdated regulations, according to an UN-Habitat urban sector assessment [37]. Amman faces constraints from overlapping agency responsibilities and competing priorities—issues compounded by a 20% population increase from 2010 to 2020, while infrastructure growth lagged at only a 10% increase in wastewater treatment capacity [36]. The Greater Amman Municipality reports that about 35% of infrastructure projects face delays due to inter-agency coordination challenges [11].

The conclusion of Jordan’s land use planning takes place with the District Planning Committee’s approval, categorizing land uses for various establishments such as schools, healthcare facilities, and grocery stores [34,35]. Despite this, regulatory emphasis remains more on spatial aspects than on specific service needs at the neighborhood level, revealing a disconnect between spatial planning and service provision [38]. The need for defined standards and better inter-agency cooperation is critical to improving urban planning and service provision in Amman. Reforms that address policy gaps and enhance coordination between entities such as the Greater Amman Municipality and other planning bodies are essential. Such initiatives are vital for meeting the city’s growing demands and improving residents’ quality of life [35].

2.2. Urban Accessibility to Services Framework

Urban accessibility is a complex concept that evaluates the ease with which individuals can access, use, or benefit from services and products [39]. It is a vital consideration in urban planning and infrastructure, influencing how easily locations can be reached within a transportation system. This aspect of urban design is primarily determined by proximity and minimizing physical movement, reflecting Zipf’s Principle of Least Effort, which suggests that people naturally strive to reduce effort in daily tasks by clustering related activities to decrease travel and operational costs [40]. Research in the expansive cities of the Algerian Sahara has shown that a well-connected and integrated urban area enhances accessibility and reduces dependency on motorized trips, whereas fragmented and segregated facilities can struggle to meet residents’ needs, increasing reliance on vehicles [41]. Accessibility is essential in urban planning as it significantly influences transportation and land use models, which dictate the spatial distribution of resources and their efficient utilization, thereby directly affecting urban efficiency [42].

Several land use models are integral to urban planning, each with distinct approaches to enhancing urban accessibility through the interplay of transportation infrastructure and land use strategies. The Gravity model, akin to Newton’s gravitational law, posits that human spatial interaction between two locations is proportional to their size (typically population or economic activity) and inversely proportional to the distance between them; however, it assumes symmetrical effects of size and distance for all locations, failing to consider other factors like specific transportation infrastructures or regional characteristics [43]. Land Use and Transport Interaction (LUTI) models emphasize the dynamic relationship between land use and transportation systems, often employing systems of equations to model feedback loops in transportation accessibility and land development, yet they face challenges due to modeling complexities, substantial data demands, and high computational costs [44]. Meanwhile, the Accessibility Instruments for Planning Practice in Europe (AENEAS) target integrating accessibility measures with transport policies within European frameworks, using GIS and spatial analysis tools to calculate accessibility indices, but are constrained by their limited applicability outside European contexts and their high dependence on data quality [45]. These models underscore the foundational role of integrated approaches in advancing urban accessibility.

Contemporary research incorporates accessibility as a core criterion for evaluating land use efficiency and promoting urban compaction. This focus is integral to strategies aimed at curbing urban sprawl and encouraging sustainable city growth [46]. Accessibility is typically assessed through a combination of transportation and land use characteristics, divided into journey and destination attributes. Historically, accessibility measures have drawn criticism for their emphasis on transportation system deficiencies, which are mainly pertinent to macro-scale evaluations. More nuanced measures emphasizing neighborhood-level or micro-scale attributes, including pedestrian and transit amenities, provide a more comprehensive understanding of accessibility [47]. Technological tools like Space Syntax and GIS software enhance our ability to gauge connectivity and urban space dynamics [14]. However, a distinction must be made between objective and perceived accessibility. While objective accessibility considers concrete measures such as location and travel time, perceived accessibility adds subjective dimensions like safety, security, and ease of transportation mode use. It reflects individuals’ diverse needs and perceptions [48].

The concept of accessibility to services revolves around the ease with which one can reach social and economic hubs. This accessibility hinges on factors like spatial service distribution, the quality of destination activities, transport system efficiency, and traveler characteristics [13,49]. Perceived accessibility can further be divided into personal and place components, with personal accessibility accounting for demographic elements like age and gender, while place accessibility focuses on the transport and travel ease from diverse starting points [13,14,49].

Accessibility attributes are further delineated into journey and destination categories. Journey attributes consider place and personal accessibility. Place accessibility encompasses macro and micro components, where macro components pertain to motorized travel parameters, and micro components highlight non-motorized travel features like safety, convenience, comfort, and esthetics [47]. Safety, for instance, includes provisions such as street lighting and traffic signs, which impact the desirability of travel modes. Similarly, destination attributes assess factors that influence an individual’s selection of services. These encompass considerations of safety, convenience, and esthetics; for instance, destinations might be appraised on perceived safety, convenience in access, and esthetic values like scenery and signage [47].

In summary, urban accessibility is a complex, multidimensional framework that requires understanding both the tangible and intangible factors that impact how services are accessed and utilized in urban environments. This intricate interplay of elements underscores the necessity for strategies that cater to diverse urban needs and foster sustainable development.

2.3. Wellbeing and Urban Transformation

Wellbeing, a nuanced interplay between happiness and eudaimonia, extends beyond mere emotional satisfaction to embrace physical, mental, and social dimensions. From the philosophical musings of Aristotle and the Dalai Lama, wellbeing has evolved into a cornerstone for individual and societal prosperity, as noted by [17]. Its foundation lies in meeting essential human needs and nurturing social connections, thus influencing various life facets such as lifestyle, technology, urban planning, and education [50].

Transitioning from a broad understanding of wellbeing, we delve deeper into its specific manifestations within urban contexts, where the interplay of psychological wellbeing and city design becomes crucial. As Jane Jacobs highlighted in “The Death and Life of Great American Cities”, each city, rich in its unique culture and identity, necessitates a tailored approach to wellbeing [51]. This emphasizes the need for cities and residents to collaboratively craft environments conducive to mutual prosperity [17,52].

2.3.1. Urban Wellbeing and Governance

Urban wellbeing is not just an end goal but a dynamic process shaped by the city’s character and its governance identity. Positive psychology frameworks can offer creative solutions for enhancing urban living by establishing clear wellbeing objectives [53]. Both objective indicators, such as green spaces and governance structures, and subjective indicators, like social capital, play critical roles. The failure of St. Louis’s Pruitt-Igoe housing project exemplifies the negative consequences when these factors are overlooked [54]. This highlights the need for inclusive city planning that fosters community involvement to reduce socioeconomic disparities and enhance wellbeing [52]. The political economy is a crucial driver of urban wellbeing, shaping the economic landscape through regulations and policy development [55]. This intricate relationship is evident in policies affecting income distribution and economic opportunities, as critiqued and informed by economists [56,57]. Furthermore, recent research on the circular economy has concluded that architecture and spatial organization significantly impact residents’ wellbeing. Users of these spaces are vital stakeholders; without their full engagement, spaces may not serve their intended long-term purpose and can negatively affect health and wellbeing [58].

The political economy’s influence extends to aspects like affordability, opportunity, and business diversity, each contributing to urban residents’ life quality and satisfaction. The Arab Spring, a series of anti-government protests and uprisings in the Arab world beginning in late 2010, significantly impacted the political economy of many nations, including Jordan. As the Arab Spring swept through the region, it highlighted widespread grievances related to governance, economic disparities, and social injustices. In this context, Jordan’s strategic geopolitical role became even more pronounced as it navigated the external pressures and internal demands for reform [59,60]. The government’s response to the Arab Spring included adopting neoliberal economic practices, partly as a strategy to stabilize the economy and maintain social order. However, these practices have had mixed results. On the one hand, they aimed to boost economic growth through market liberalization and attracting foreign investment. On the other hand, these policies resulted in reduced public spending on essential services and increased taxation, leading to rising living costs and exacerbating inequality among the population, thus impacting urban wellbeing [56]. This shift towards neoliberalism demonstrates the complex interplay between political decisions and economic realities, where efforts to enhance economic stability can sometimes undermine social welfare and the quality of life. The situation in Jordan underscores the critical need for balanced policy for these accounts for both economic efficiency and social equity, particularly in contexts influenced by significant geopolitical and social upheavals like the Arab Spring.

2.3.2. Residents’ Wellbeing and Social Networks

Within the urban backdrop, residents’ wellbeing emerges as a multifaceted construct involving personal satisfaction, health, and the fulfillment of both material and psychological needs. These elements diverge across cultural contexts, reflecting differing societal priorities [17,52,61]. Neighborhoods significantly influence wellbeing, as evidenced by a study in Framingham, Massachusetts, emphasizing the social ripple effect of happiness within close communities [62]. City planners play a monumental role in crafting environments that enhance resident wellbeing, considering factors from the micro to macro systems of urban design. This integration of wellbeing concepts requires a hierarchy of insights and models, from individual demographic analysis to the broader societal constructs of collective wellbeing [63].

Comprehensive models of wellbeing, like Diener’s tripartite and Ryff’s psychological wellbeing dimensions, offer tools to quantify these experiences through tangible measures [64,65]. Of relevance is Seligman’s PERMA model, integrating emotional, social, and personal components, serving as a framework for assessing and enhancing resident wellbeing [66,67]. By employing both subjective and objective measures, municipalities can better address their communities’ needs and adapt resources accordingly. Demographic analyses provide critical insights into the socio-economic factors driving wellbeing, helping city leaders to tailor policies that effectively address citizen needs and promote a more equitable urban environment [63]. Ultimately, the pursuit of wellbeing in urban settings underscores a broader agenda for sustainable development, fostering environments where both cities and their residents thrive collaboratively.

Wellbeing involves how people assess and experience their own lives, reflecting an everyday sense of happiness. The tripartite model of subjective wellbeing, according to [64], encompasses frequent positive effects, infrequent negative effects, and cognitive evaluations such as life satisfaction. This model distinguishes cognitive wellbeing, which pertains to life satisfaction, from positive and negative emotions. Although these are interconnected, with one often influencing the other, individuals tend to evaluate their lives based on daily experiences, which are colored by positive or negative emotions, subsequently shaping their satisfaction and behaviors [64]. Subjective wellbeing can be quantified using a questionnaire with a Likert scale, as demonstrated by [68] in their study on California residents and university students, where higher scores reflected greater wellbeing.

The six-factor model of Psychological Wellbeing, developed by Carol Ryff, encompasses self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, environmental mastery, autonomy, and positive relationships. Like subjective wellbeing, psychological wellbeing can be evaluated using a Likert scale. Ref. [65] assessed this across various U.S. states, employing response scales ranging from one (completely disagree) to six points (completely agree). The flourishing model of wellbeing integrates three elements: subjective wellbeing, psychological wellbeing, and social wellbeing, assessing respondents’ perceptions of their success. This too is typically measured using a seven-point Likert scale [64]. Seligman’s theory of positive psychology, which explores happiness and flourishing, seeks to identify what makes life meaningful. His ’Authentic Happiness’ theory emphasizes deriving happiness from life experiences, though it has faced criticism for lacking realism [63,67].

The PERMA model, developed by Seligman, identifies essential elements of wellbeing: positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. The theory suggests that wellbeing does not necessarily correlate with happiness; some life activities, while not inherently joyous, may foster high wellbeing, such as families reporting lower happiness but high wellbeing due to children. This model often employs a Likert scale ranging from one to eleven [17,61,67]. While the model offers a comprehensive perspective on wellbeing, it is essential to acknowledge several limitations: (1) Subjectivity and Self-Report Bias, which suggest that relying on self-reported data introduces biases such as social desirability and inaccurate self-assessment [66]; (2) Cultural Variability, where the culturally nuanced nature of wellbeing may not be fully captured by the model [69]; (3) Static Measurement, which indicates that the model’s snapshot approach fails to encompass the dynamic nature of wellbeing, thus advocating for longitudinal studies [70]; (4) Oversimplification, which might overlook factors like physical health or economic stability [71]; (5) Interrelation of Elements, with distinct elements often interrelated, a critique echoed in related literature [66]; (6) Lack of Differential Weighting, where the model does not account for the varying significance of elements to different individuals, as noted by [72]; and (7) Population Characteristics, which question the generalizability of findings due to the demographic makeup of studies, emphasizing the need to consider factors such as gender, age, and socio-economic status [66].

The PERMA model offers valuable insights and a foundational framework for measuring wellbeing. While the PERMA model provides a foundational framework to assess wellbeing, these limitations underscore the need for adaptive research and models to ensure accurate application across diverse contexts and populations. The PERMA model was selected for this study due to its comprehensive approach, integrating various wellbeing models and encompassing multiple psychosocial domains. Measures of residents’ wellbeing, divided into subjective and objective components, include demographics as crucial objective measures. Subjective measures, according to the PERMA model, include the following:

• Positive Emotions: Evaluating the ratio of positive to negative emotions.
• Social Relationships: Analyzing social ties, networks, support levels, and satisfaction with and contributions to support systems.
• Engagement in the Environment: Measuring deep psychological engagement, evidenced by intense focus, whether through work dedication or academic involvement.
• Meaning in Life: Assessing the individual’s life direction and goals.
• Sense of Accomplishment: Evaluating progress toward life goals.

Demographic data, as a vital objective measure, aids city leaders in addressing community needs and resource allocation. It encompasses comprehensive socio-economic statistics, such as gender, age, marital status, income, and home ownership, alongside community data like population density and average income [63].

2.4. Conceptual Framework of the Study

The literature underscores the importance of providing urban and residential services, with a specific focus on Amman. It highlights the crucial link between service provision and accessibility, delving into the various aspects of urban accessibility, which include both journey and destination characteristics. Journey attributes are further categorized into place and personal accessibility components, analyzed at the macro (district-level) and micro (neighborhood-level) scales. This study concentrates on the micro-scale place accessibility components, aiming to examine service accessibility within neighborhoods specifically. Key attributes of service accessibility at the micro level include safety, convenience, comfort, and esthetics.

Furthermore, the literature review addresses city and resident wellbeing in urban settings, identifying diverse models of residents’ wellbeing. This study employs the PERMA model to gauge residents’ wellbeing, as it is regarded as one of the most comprehensive and well-established measures of wellbeing by scholars. The PERMA model integrates various wellbeing frameworks along with multiple psychosocial domains. It identifies key attributes of resident wellbeing, such as positive emotions, social relationships, engagement with the surrounding environment, meaning in life, and a sense of accomplishment. The conceptual framework for this study is depicted in Figure 1.

3. Research Method

This study aimed to examine the service accessibility across various residential areas in Amman and its impact on residents’ wellbeing, implementing a quantitative research framework. It evaluated the facets of service accessibility affecting wellbeing, using the PERMA model for wellbeing assessment. The quantitative data collected were analyzed via SPSS Version 25.

Data were gathered through structured, face-to-face interviews with closed-ended questions, focusing on service accessibility and wellbeing attributes. A total of 492 participants were sampled, with 213 from Abdoun Al-Janoubi and 279 from Al-Zahra. The head of the household served as the sampling unit, and a cluster systematic proportional random sampling technique was utilized across three clusters, with each cluster proportionately sampled at 25%: Marka Al-Shamaleyeh, Al-Zahra neighborhood, and Abdoun Al-Janoubi. The resulting data were presented in tables and figures illustrating variable relationships.

This study aimed at understanding the influence of service accessibility on resident wellbeing in two distinct Amman neighborhoods. By adopting quantitative methodologies, it identified service accessibility characteristics as independent variables and residents’ wellbeing attributes as dependent variables. Data collection employed a cluster systematic proportional random sampling approach.

3.1. Research Settings

The study was conducted in Amman, Jordan, the country’s capital and largest city, with approximately 4 million inhabitants. The research focused on two distinct residential settings:

1. Abdoun: Located in West Amman and part of the Zahran district, Abdoun includes the Abdoun Al-Shamali (North) and Al-Janoubi (South) clusters. The research focused on Abdoun Al-Janoubi due to its low population density. The area spanned 4.1 square kilometers, with a population of 15,244 and a density of 3718 persons per km². It comprised 3811 households characterized by a luxurious commercial hub with cafes, restaurants, and a shopping mall, see Figure 2.

2. Marka Al-Shamaleyeh: One of the oldest neighborhoods in East Amman, inhabited after the “Six Day War” in 1967, and part of the Marka district. It includes two clusters, Hamzeh and Al-Zahra, with Al-Zahra being the focus due to its high population density and homogeneity. Al-Zahra spans 2.7 square kilometers with a population of 42,005 and a density of 15,557 persons per km². It hosts 8937 households typified by low- and middle-income housing, as shown in Figure 3.

3.2. Population of Study and Sampling

The study encompassed all residents living in Abdoun and Marka Al-Shamaleyeh. Abdoun has 35,244 residents, while Marka Al-Shamaleyeh has 113,258. The target population comprised 3811 households in Abdoun Al-Janoubi and 8937 in Al-Zahra. A cluster systematic proportional random sampling method was utilized. Abdoun Al-Janoubi was segmented into 23 blocks, and Al-Zahra into 72 blocks, see Figure 4. A proportional number of subjects from each block was randomly selected, yielding 213 samples (43.3%) from Abdoun Al-Janoubi and 279 (56.7%) from Al-Zahra.

3.3. Hypothesis of the Study

The general research inquiry of the study investigated the relationship between accessibility to services and residents’ wellbeing in different residential settings in Amman. Based on the reviewed literature, the study hypotheses were stated as follows:

• Total accessibility to services in different residential urban settings in Amman affects total residents’ wellbeing.
• Total accessibility to services was defined by journey attributes at the micro- level, which were safety, convenience, comfort, and esthetics.
• Total residents’ wellbeing was defined by positive emotions, social relationships, engagement in the surrounding environment, meaning of life, and sense of accomplishment.

3.4. Variables of the Study

3.4.1. Independent Variable

Accessibility to services was defined by safety, convenience, comfort, and esthetics. Total accessibility to services was measured by the average of the sum of the four components. Each component was measured using a continuous 5-points Likert scale. Accessibility to service components was defined as follows:

• Safety: Safety was measured by the average sum of the statements of the following six attributes: street lighting provides safety, speed limit and stop signs provide safety, street width provides safety, sidewalks and pavement continuity provide safety, length of walk to services is safe, length of walk to services is safe; Q.8–Q.13.
• Convenience: Convenience was measured by the average sum of the statements the following four attributes: service location is convenient, travel time to service is convenient, parking is available, public transportation is available; Q.14–Q.17.
• Comfort: Comfort was measured by the average sum of the statements of the following four attributes: there are shades on walkways, there are shades for car parking, there are shades at bus stops, there are benches at bus stops; Q.18–Q.21.
• Esthetics: esthetics was measured by the average sum of the statements of the following two attributes: there is a scenery esthetic, available signage is esthetic; Q.22–Q.23.

3.4.2. Dependent Variable

Resident’s wellbeing was defined using the PERMA model attributes: positive emotions, social relationships, engagement in the surrounding environment, meaning of life, and sense of accomplishment. Total residents’ wellbeing was measured by the average of the sum of the five attributes. Each attribute was measured using a continuous 5-points Likert scale. Residents’ wellbeing attributes were defined as follows:

• Positive emotions: these were defined by how high or low the positive emotions were compared to negative emotions. Positive emotions were measured by the average of the sum of three statements, Q.24–Q.26.
• Social Relationships: these were defined by the subject’s social ties, social network, received support, perceived support, satisfaction with support, and giving support to others. Relationships were measured by the average of the sum of three statements, Q.27–Q.29.
• Engagement in the surrounding environment: this was defined by measuring an extreme level of psychological engagement that was characterized by intense concentration and focus. Engagement in the surrounding environment was measured by the average of the sum of three statements, Q.30–Q.32.
• Meaning of life: this was defined by the subject’s life goals and direction in life. Meaning of life was measured by the average sum of three statements, Q.33–Q.35.
• Sense of Accomplishment: this was defined by the subject’s actions towards achieving life goals. Sense of accomplishment was measured by the average sum of three statements, Q.36–Q.38.

3.4.3. Confounding Variables: Socio-Economic Characteristics

Socio-economic characteristics, including housing typology, gender, age, marital status, household size, income source, and private vehicle availability, were measured via ordinal and nominal scales.

3.5. Research Instrument

The questionnaire comprised three parts gathering data on confounding variables, the independent variable (service accessibility), and the dependent variable (residents’ wellbeing) using the PERMA model, totaling 38 questions.

3.6. Data Collection Technique

Data were collected through the door-to-door interview approach, prioritizing male household heads unless unavailable, in which case female heads were interviewed. Informed consent was obtained before participation, and upon completion, participants were thanked and debriefed.

4. Research Analysis and Discussion

4.1. Descriptive Analysis of the Study Variables

This section presents descriptive analysis of the research data in the form of descriptive statistics and frequency measures.

4.1.1. Socio-Economic Characteristics

The socio-economic characteristics of the study were defined according to personal accessibility to services attributes, as follows:

• Residential Setting Typology: Most household heads of the surveyed households were living in residence, making up 32.1% of the total sample. In the Abdoun Al-Janoubi neighborhood, residence A was the most dominant, making up 74.2% of the sample. In the Al-Zahra neighborhood, samples were almost equally distributed among residence C and light industries, as 51.6% of the sample were living in residence C, as shown in

  Table 1. Percentiles of socio-economic characteristics—Part A.

  Residential Typology	Abdoun Al-Janoubi		Al-Zahra		Total Sample
  	Frequency	Percentage	Frequency	Percentage	Frequency	Percentage
  Residence A	158	74.2%	0	0.0%	158	32.1%
  Residence B	46	21.6%	0	0.0%	46	9.3%
  Residence C	0	0.0%	144	51.6%	144	29.3%
  Residence D	9	4.2%	3	1.1%	12	2.4%
  Light Industries	0	0.0%	132	47.3%	132	26.8%
  Total	213	100%	279	100%	492	100%
  Gender
  Male	122	57.3%	117	41.9%	239	48.6%
  Female	91	42.7%	162	58.1%	253	51.4%
  Total	213	100%	279	100%	492	100%
  Age
  18–<30 Years	20	9.4%	86	30.8%	106	21.5%
  30–<40 Years	69	32.4%	94	33.7%	163	33.1%
  40–<50 Years	69	32.4%	58	20.8%	127	25.8%
  >50 Years	55	25.8%	41	14.7%	96	19.5%
  Total	213	100%	279	100%	492	100%

  Source: Researchers, 2024.

  .
• Gender: Most of the surveyed household heads were almost equally distributed between males and females for the total sample. In Abdoun Al-Janoubi, most of the surveyed household heads were males, making 57.3% of the sample, while in Al-Zahra, females dominated the samples, forming 58.1% of the sample, as shown in Table 1.
• Age: Most of the household heads surveyed were distributed among the three age ranges of 18–<30 years, 30–<40 years, and 40–<50 years. The most frequent age range of the total sample was 30–<40 years. In Abdoun al-Janoubi the most frequent age range was equally distributed among the ranges of 30–<40 years and 40–<50 years, making 32.4% of the sample. In the Al-Zahra neighborhood, the most frequent age ranges were 18–<30 years, making up 30.8%, and 30–<40 years, making up 33.7% of the sample, as shown in Table 1.

4.

Marital Status: Most of the household heads surveyed were married, representing 73.8% of the total sample. In the subsamples, married household heads dominated the samples, making up 74.6% in Abdoun Al-Janoubi and 73.1% in Al-Zahra, as shown in

Table 2. Percentiles of socio-economic characteristics—Part B.

Marital Status	Abdoun Al-Janoubi		Al-Zahra		Total Sample
	Frequency	Percentage	Frequency	Percentage	Frequency	Percentage
Single	28	13.1%	52	18.6%	80	16.3%
Married	159	74.6%	204	73.1%	363	73.8%
Divorced	14	6.6%	7	2.5%	21	4.3%
Widowed	12	5.6%	16	5.7%	28	5.7%
Total	213	100%	279	100%	492	100%
Household size
1–<3	76	35.7%	62	22.2%	138	28.0%
3–<6	112	52.6%	139	49.8%	251	51.0%
6–<10	25	11.7%	68	24.4%	93	18.9%
>10	0	0.0%	10	3.6%	10	2.0%
Total	213	100%	279	100%	492	100%
Income source
Unemployed	1	0.5%	35	12.5%	36	7.3%
Self-Employed	111	52.1%	77	27.6%	188	38.2%
Permanent Job	77	36.2%	123	44.1%	200	40.7%
Pensions	24	11.3%	44	15.8%	68	13.8%
Total	213	100%	279	100%	492	100%
Car Ownership
No	12	5.6%	158	56.6%	170	34.6%
Yes	201	94.4%	121	43.4%	322	65.4%
Total	213	100%	279	100%	492	100%

Source: Researchers, 2024.

.

5.

Household Size: The 3–<6 household size category dominated the total sample of the surveyed households (51.0%). The household size (3–<6) distributions for the Abdoun Al-Janoubi and Al-Zahra neighborhoods were very similar, making up 52.6% in Abdoun and 49.8% in Al-Zahra, as shown in Table 2.

6.

Income Source: The income of most of the household heads interviewed came from permanent jobs, making up 40.7% of the total sample. Self-employed household heads were also dominant, making up 38.2%. Abdoun Al-Janoubi household heads were mostly self-employed, making up 52.1%. Al-Zahra household heads had mostly permanent jobs making up 44.1% of the sample, see Table 2.

7.

Car Ownership: Most of the household heads surveyed responded positively to the car ownership, forming 65.4% of the total sample. In Abdoun Al-Janoubi, 94.4% owned a car, while in Al-Zahra neighborhood most household heads (56.6%) responded negatively to car ownership, as shown in Table 2.

4.1.2. Independent Variable—Accessibility to Services

The total accessibility to services in different residential urban settings in Amman was defined by the following components: safety, convenience, comfort, and esthetics.

Table 3. Distribution of accessibility to service components.

Neighborhood		Total Accessibility to Services	Safety	Convenience	Comfort	Esthetics
Abdoun Al-Janoubi	Mean	3.38	3.87	3.53	1.89	4.25
	Std. Deviation	0.50	0.62	0.76	0.77	0.86
	Variance	0.24	0.39	0.57	0.59	0.74
	Minimum	2.0	2	1.5	1	1
	Maximum	4.6	5	5	4.3	5
Al-Zahra	Mean	3.23	3.83	3.61	2.39	3.08
	Std. Deviation	0.58	0.70	0.70	0.82	1.17
	Variance	0.34	0.48	0.48	0.68	1.38
	Minimum	1.7	1.8	1	1	1
	Maximum	4.9	5	5	5	5
Total Sample	Mean	3.29	3.85	3.57	2.17	3.59
	Std. Deviation	0.55	0.66	0.72	0.84	1.20
	Variance	0.30	0.44	0.52	0.70	1.44
	Minimum	1.7	1.8	1	1	1
	Maximum	4.9	5	5	5	5

Source: Researchers, 2024.

shows the distribution of data. The total accessibility to services mean value (M = 3.29, SD = 0.55) indicates positive responses from the total sample, which is higher than the central tendency value of 2.5. The Abdoun Al-Janoubi sample reported relatively higher positive responses of total accessibility to services (M = 3.38, SD = 0.50) than the Al-Zahra sample (M = 3.23, SD = 0.58). In the total sample, the safety attribute of accessibility to services scored the highest mean value (M = 3.85, SD = 0.66), followed by esthetics (M = 3.59, SD = 1.20) and convenience (M = 3.57, SD = 0.72). Comfort received the lowest score, with a mean value (M = 2.17, SD = 0.84) falling below the central tendency mean of (2.5).

Within Abdoun Al-Janoubi, the safety attribute maintained a relatively high mean (M = 3.87, SD = 0.62). Convenience was rated at (M = 3.53, SD = 0.76), and esthetics received positive responses with a high mean value (M = 4.25, SD = 0.86), surpassing that of Al-Zahra. Comfort was rated negatively here, with a mean of (M = 1.89, SD = 0.77). In contrast, Al-Zahra residents responded positively to safety (M = 3.83, SD = 0.70) and rated both convenience (M = 3.61, SD = 0.70) as well as comfort (M = 2.39, SD = 0.82) slightly higher, compared to Abdoun Al-Janoubi. For esthetics, Al-Zahra had a mean of (M = 3.08, SD = 1.17), as shown in Table 3.

4.1.3. Dependent Variable—Residents’ Wellbeing—PREMA Model

Residents’ wellbeing was defined using the PREMA model, which specifies five attributes: positive emotions, social relationships, engagement in the surrounding environment, meaning of life, and sense of accomplishment. Total residents’ wellbeing mean value (M = 4.16, SD = 0.61) indicated high positive responses from the total sample. Abdoun Al-Janoubi household heads reported higher wellbeing responses (M = 4.42, SD = 0.47) than Al-Zahra households’ heads (M = 3.97, SD = 0.63). For the total sample, residents’ wellbeing attributes showed relatively close mean values. Engagement with the surrounding environment had the highest mean (M = 4.37, SD = 0.68), followed by positive emotions (M = 4.03, SD = 0.99) and social relationships (M = 4.00, SD = 0.78). Sense of accomplishment was rated at (M = 4.19, SD = 0.75), while meaning of life registered the lowest mean (M = 4.18, SD = 0.89), as shown in

Table 4. Distribution of residents’ wellbeing attributes—PREMA model.

Neighborhood		Total Residents’ Wellbeing	Positive Emotions	Social Relationships	Engagement in Surrounding Environment	Meaning of Life	Sense of Accomplishment
Abdoun Al-Janoubi	Mean	4.42	4.45	4.06	4.68	4.50	4.40
	Std. Deviation	0.47	0.71	0.76	0.51	0.74	0.66
	Variance	0.22	0.51	0.58	0.26	0.55	0.43
	Minimum	2.8	2	2	2.3	2	2
	Maximum	5	5	5	5	5	5
Al-Zahra	Mean	3.97	3.71	4.01	4.14	3.93	4.04
	Std. Deviation	0.63	1.04	0.79	0.70	0.91	0.77
	Variance	0.39	1.09	0.63	0.49	0.82	0.60
	Minimum	1.9	1	1	2	1	1.7
	Maximum	5	5	5	5	5	5
Total Sample	Mean	4.16	4.03	4.03	4.37	4.18	4.19
	Std. Deviation	0.61	0.99	0.78	0.68	0.89	0.75
	Variance	0.37	0.97	0.61	0.46	0.78	0.56
	Minimum	1.9	1	1	2	1	1.7
	Maximum	5	5	5	5	5	5

Source: Researchers, 2024.

.

In subsamples, Abdoun Al-Janoubi residents reported higher wellbeing scores than those from Al-Zahra. Positive emotions in Abdoun Al-Janoubi scored (M = 4.45, SD = 0.71), with engagement reaching the highest score in both Abdoun Al-Janoubi (M = 4.68, SD = 0.51) and Al-Zahra (M = 4.14, SD = 0.7). Meaning of life and sense of accomplishment were also high in Abdoun Al-Janoubi at (M = 4.50, SD = 0.74) and (M = 4.40, SD = 0.66), respectively. In contrast, Al-Zahra showed lower scores, with positive emotions at (M = 3.71, SD = 1.04), meaning of life at (M = 3.93, SD = 0.91), and sense of accomplishment at (M = 4.04, SD = 0.77), as shown in Table 4.

4.2. Hypothesis Testing and Discussion

This section presents a research hypothesis that tested the relationship between total accessibility to services in different residential urban settings in Amman and total residents’ wellbeing. The relationship was further investigated through testing the relationship between each variable according to the residential setting. The hypothesis was tested using an ordinal regression model with co-variate residential setting and an independent t-test model, as follows.

4.2.1. Total Accessibility of Services Effect on Total Residents’ Wellbeing by Residential Setting

An ordinal regression model was utilized to test the general hypothesis, which states that the total accessibility to services in different residential urban settings in Amman affects total residents’ wellbeing.

Table 5. Total accessibility of services effect on total residents’ wellbeing by residential setting.

Model	−2 Log Likelihood	Chi-Square	df	Sig.
Intercept Only	3489.88
Final	2951.46	538.42	186	0.00

Source: Researchers, 2024.

shows that the general hypothesis data are statistically significant at [X²(186) = 538.42, p = 0.00]. This finding agrees with [17], which reported a relationship between residents’ wellbeing and the city’s physical context. Additionally, [17] further explained that one of the objective measures of wellbeing in cities is the physical environment. This significant relationship between residents’ wellbeing and residential setting agrees with [52], which divided residents’ wellbeing into four systems. The direct system that affects wellbeing is the immediate residents’ environment, which relates to the study’s covariate residential setting.

4.2.2. Total Accessibility of Service Components by Residential Setting

An independent sample t-test was conducted to test the significance of and compare between accessibility to service components in the Abdoun Al-Janoubi and Al-Zahra neighborhoods. The accessibility to service components were safety, convenience, comfort, and esthetics. The results of the independent t-test are displayed in

Table 6. Total accessibility to service components by residential setting.

	F	Sig.	T	Df	Equality of Means
					Mean Difference	Std. Error Difference
Total Accessibility to services	5.35	0.02	3.18	490	0.16	0.05
Safety	2.49	0.12	0.69	490	0.04	0.06
Convenience	3.39	0.07	−1.24	490	−0.08	0.07
Comfort	0.45	0.50	−6.87	490	−0.50	0.07
Esthetics	20.33	0.00	12.24	490	1.17	0.10

Source: Researchers, 2024.

.

Comparative means of the independent t-test for accessibility to services and its components in Abdoun Al-Janoubi and Al-Zahra neighborhoods are shown in

Table 7. Accessibility to service components—comparative means.

	Neighborhood	N	Mean	Std. Deviation	Std. Error Mean
Total Accessibility to services	Abdoun Al-Janoubi	213	3.38	0.50	0.03
	Al-Zahra	279	3.23	0.58	0.04
Safety	Abdoun Al-Janoubi	213	3.87	0.62	0.04
	Al-Zahra	279	3.83	0.69	0.04
Convenience	Abdoun Al-Janoubi	213	3.53	0.76	0.05
	Al-Zahra	279	3.61	0.69	0.04
Comfort	Abdoun Al-Janoubi	213	1.89	0.77	0.05
	Al-Zahra	279	2.39	0.82	0.05
Esthetics	Abdoun Al-Janoubi	213	4.25	0.86	0.06
	Al-Zahra	279	3.08	1.17	0.07

Source: Researchers, 2024.

.

The results were as follows, in a descending order of significance:

• Esthetics component of accessibility to services is affected by residential setting [F(490) = 20.33, p = 0.00]. Esthetics was significantly higher in the Abdoun Al-Janoubi than the Al-Zahra neighborhood (t = 12.24, M = 4.25 for Abdoun Al-Janoubi, and M = 3.08 for Al-Zahra). This finding agrees with [14,47], who explained that place accessibility is dependent on location and related to the spatial distribution of services in residential settings. Esthetics is a component of place accessibility (journey attributes).
• Total accessibility to services was also affected by residential settings [F(490) = 5.35, p = 0.02]. Total accessibility to services was slightly higher in the Abdoun Al-Janoubi than in the Al-Zahra neighborhood (t = 3.18, M = 3.38 for Abdoun Al-Janoubi, and M = 3.23 for Al-Zahra). This finding agrees with [14,20,47], who believe that accessibility is affected by the wider economic context of a city and is more linked to high-income groups.
• The convenience component of accessibility to services was weakly affected by residential setting [F(490) = 3.39, p = 0.07]. Convenience was slightly higher in the Al-Zahra than the Abdoun Al-Janoubi neighborhood (t = 3.18, M = 3.61 for Al-Zahra, and M = 3.53 for Abdoun Al-Janoubi). This finding agrees with [14,47].

The t-test results showed no significance in the safety and comfort components of accessibility between the two neighborhoods, contrary to prior studies. This could be because comfort factors like shade and benches at bus stops may not heavily influence areas with limited public transportation like Amman, as noted by [6]. Notably, Al-Zahra reported higher comfort measures than Abdoun Al-Janoubi. In terms of safety, both neighborhoods benefit from either diplomatic presence or strong social ties among residents.

4.2.3. Total Residents’ Wellbeing Attributes by Residential Setting

An independent sample t-test was conducted to test the significance of and compare between residents’ wellbeing attributes in the Abdoun Al-Janoubi and Al-Zahra neighborhoods. Residents’ wellbeing attributes according to the PERMA model of wellbeing included the following: positive emotions, social relationships, engagement in the surrounding environment, meaning of life, and sense of accomplishment. The results of the independent t-test are displayed in

Table 8. Total residents’ wellbeing attributes by residential setting.

	F	Sig.	T	Df	Equality of Means
					Mean Difference	Std. Error Difference
Total residents’ wellbeing	18.16	0.00	8.80	490	0.45	0.05
Positive emotions	31.70	0.00	8.87	490	0.74	0.08
Social relationships	0.01	0.94	0.71	490	0.05	0.07
Engagement in surrounding environment	13.29	0.00	9.46	490	0.54	0.06
Meaning of life	3.55	0.06	7.48	490	0.57	0.08
Sense of accomplishment	4.96	0.03	5.53	490	0.36	0.07

Source: Researchers, 2024.

.

Comparative means of the independent t-test for total residents’ wellbeing and its attributes in the Abdoun Al-Janoubi and Al-Zahra neighborhoods are shown in

Table 9. Residents’ wellbeing—comparative means.

	Neighborhood	N	Mean	Std. Deviation	Std. Error Mean
Total residents’ wellbeing	Abdoun Al-Janoubi	213	4.42	0.47	0.03
	Al-Zahra	279	3.97	0.63	0.04
Positive emotions	Abdoun Al-Janoubi	213	4.45	0.71	0.05
	Al-Zahra	279	3.71	1.04	0.06
Social relationships	Abdoun Al-Janoubi	213	4.06	0.76	0.05
	Al-Zahra	279	4.01	0.79	0.05
Engagement in surrounding environment	Abdoun Al-Janoubi	213	4.68	0.51	0.04
	Al-Zahra	279	4.14	0.70	0.04
Meaning of life	Abdoun Al-Janoubi	213	4.50	0.74	0.05
	Al-Zahra	279	3.93	0.91	0.05
Sense of accomplishment	Abdoun Al-Janoubi	213	4.40	0.66	0.05
	Al-Zahra	279	4.04	0.77	0.05

Source: Researchers, 2024.

.

The results were as follows, in a descending order of significance:

• The positive emotions attribute of residents’ wellbeing were affected by residential settings [F(490) = 31.70, p = 0.00]. Positive emotions were significantly higher in the Abdoun Al-Janoubi than the Al-Zahra neighborhood (t = 8.87, M = 4.45 for Abdoun Al-Janoubi, and M = 3.71 for Al-Zahra). This finding agrees with [17,52,66].
• Total residents’ wellbeing was also affected by residential setting [F(490) = 18.16, p = 0.00]. Total residents’ wellbeing was significantly higher in the Abdoun Al-Janoubi than in the Al-Zahra neighborhood (t = 8.80, M = 4.42 for Abdoun Al-Janoubi, and M = 3.79 for Al-Zahra). This finding is likewise in agreement with [17,52,53], who clarified that wellbeing in cities can be achieved when cities and the inhabitants co-create a good living environment.
• The engagement in the surrounding environment attribute of residents’ wellbeing was further affected by residential setting [F(490) = 13.29, p= 0.00]. Engagement is slightly higher in the Abdoun Al-Janoubi than the Al-Zahra neighborhood (t = 9.46, M = 4.68 for Abdoun Al-Janoubi, and M = 4.14 for Al-Zahra). This finding is also in agreement with [17,52,66].
• The sense of accomplishment attribute of residents’ wellbeing was affected by residential setting [F(490) = 4.96, p = 0.03]. Sense of accomplishment was significantly slightly higher in the Abdoun Al-Janoubi than the Al-Zahra neighborhood (t = 5.53, M = 4.40 for Abdoun Al-Janoubi, and M = 4.04 for Al-Zahra). This finding is likewise in agreement with [17,52,66].
• The meaning of life attribute of residents’ wellbeing was weakly affected by residential setting [F(490) = 3.55, p = 0.06]. Meaning of life was significantly higher in the Abdoun Al-Janoubi than the Al-Zahra neighborhood (t = 7.48, M = 4.50 for Abdoun Al-Janoubi, and M = 3.93 for Al-Zahra). This finding is also in agreement with [17,52,66,70].
• However, the t-test results demonstrate that the social relationships attribute of residents’ wellbeing was not significant, which means that it was not affected by residential settings. Social relationships can be measured according to the subject’s social ties, social network, received support, perceived support, satisfaction with support, and giving support to others. This finding disagrees with [17,52,66].

5. Conclusions and Recommendations

This study methodically examined the connection between service accessibility and residents’ wellbeing in two different neighborhoods in Amman: Abdoun Al-Janoubi and Al-Zahra. Through a comprehensive quantitative analysis, significant findings were identified, supported by various data visualizations (see Figure 5) that illustrate these relationships.

5.1. Conclusive Model Evaluation Insights

Based on the descriptive analysis and hypothesis testing presented in this study, several conclusions can be drawn regarding the socio-economic characteristics, accessibility to services, and residents’ wellbeing across different neighborhoods in Amman. Here are the conclusions supported by the results:

• Residential Setting Variation: The analysis reveals significant differences in socio-economic characteristics and accessibility to services between the two neighborhoods, Abdoun Al-Janoubi and Al-Zahra. A higher proportion of residents in Abdoun Al-Janoubi were in permanent employment and held more favorable socioeconomic attributes, such as car ownership and household size. This had an impact on their overall perception of accessibility to services, which was significantly higher compared to those in Al-Zahra.
• Gender Distribution: While the overall gender distribution among household heads was nearly equal, the neighborhood data indicate a divergence, with male predominance in Abdoun Al-Janoubi and female predominance in Al-Zahra. This suggests that gender roles or socio-economic dynamics may influence household structures differently across neighborhoods.
• Impact of Accessibility on Wellbeing: The significant correlation between accessibility to services and residents’ wellbeing supports the hypothesis that improved service access enhances wellbeing. Higher mean values of total accessibility to services in Abdoun Al-Janoubi align with residents reporting better wellbeing scores. This is consistent with previous research that emphasizes the influence of physical environmental attributes on quality of life.
• Components of Accessibility: The study identified that esthetics significantly influenced total accessibility to services, particularly in Abdoun Al-Janoubi, where higher scores were reported. This finding underscores the importance of the physical and esthetic quality of neighborhoods in enhancing overall accessibility experiences.
• Positive Emotions and Engagement: Abdoun Al-Janoubi residents reported significantly higher levels of positive emotions and engagement in their environment compared to those in Al-Zahra. This indicates that socio-economic factors and urban design may play critical roles in fostering psychological wellbeing, as residents in more affluent neighborhoods tend to have more positive emotional experiences tied to their living environments.
• Sense of Accomplishment: This attribute of wellbeing was also significantly higher in Abdoun Al-Janoubi. The socio-economic stability associated with the residential setting may contribute to a greater sense of achievement among the residents.
• Social Relationships: Interestingly, the analysis did not find significant differences in the social relationships attribute related to residential setting, contrary to what the previous literature suggested. This might indicate that social networks and relationships operate independently of the socioeconomic status of the neighborhoods, potentially offering insight into community dynamics.
• Comfort Issues: The findings indicate that although comfort measures were better rated in Al-Zahra, both neighborhoods faced challenges, which might be attributed to the limited public transportation options in Amman. This highlights the importance of addressing infrastructure to enhance accessibility and comfort across urban settings.

In summary, the results of this study clearly demonstrate how residential setting attributes—socio-economic characteristics, accessibility to services, and community dynamics—jointly contribute to shaping residents’ wellbeing in urban environments. This highlights the need for urban planning policies that focus on improving the physical environment and accessibility to enhance residents’ quality of life.

5.2. Outcomes of Accessibility and Wellbeing

• Total Accessibility and Wellbeing: The research empirically confirms that increased accessibility to services significantly correlates with higher resident wellbeing. Abdoun Al-Janoubi residents enjoy better accessibility and, consequently, report greater wellbeing than those in Al-Zahra, as shown in Figure 6.

2.

Components of Accessibility: safety, esthetic appeal, and, to a lesser extent, convenience are important factors impacting wellbeing. However, ‘comfort’ shows no significant relationship with wellbeing. Abdoun Al-Janoubi ranks higher in esthetics and safety due to its environmental and infrastructural features, benefiting overall accessibility perception; see Figure 7.

3.

Wellbeing Attributes: Analysis using the PERMA model revealed higher scores on wellbeing attributes such as positive emotions, engagement, meaning, and sense of accomplishment in Abdoun Al-Janoubi. Exceptionally, social relationships scored higher in Al-Zahra, suggesting distinct community dynamics and perhaps age-related influences that affect social ties; see Figure 8.

4.

Influence of Urban Residential Setting: Residential settings strongly mediated both accessibility and the resulting wellbeing, as indicated by statistical tests. Despite greater convenience in public transport availability in Al-Zahra, logistic aspects such as private car reliance afford Abdoun Al-Janoubi an edge in overall convenience. Improvements in lighting and safer street designs offer further accessibility advantages.

5.

Comparative Insights: The study reveals that although certain objective factors, like marital status and income, do not have a direct impact on wellbeing, the subjective perception of engagement and social cohesion does play a crucial role. This elevates Abdoun Al-Janoubi as a more favorable environment for a high quality of life (see Figure 9).

5.3. Strength of Model Attributes

The accessibility of services in Abdoun Al-Janoubi was found to be higher overall, which correlated positively with residents’ wellbeing. Key accessibility attributes, particularly safety and esthetics, were significant influences on wellbeing in this neighborhood, while the impact of convenience was comparatively weaker. Notably, safety and esthetics showed strong enhancements specific to Abdoun Al-Janoubi, whereas in Al-Zahra, the availability of public transport had only a marginal effect on improving convenience. Additionally, comfort was found to have minimal relations to wellbeing, as it ranked lowest in importance across both neighborhoods.

In terms of residents’ wellbeing, the application of the PERMA model revealed that essential components such as positive emotions, engagement with the environment, and a sense of accomplishment were strongly associated with accessibility attributes in Abdoun Al-Janoubi, where these factors were notably higher among residents. Conversely, social relationships displayed only slight differences between the neighborhoods and appeared to be more influenced by age rather than by the specific residential setting itself.

5.4. Study Recommendations

Based on the conclusions of the present study, we can suggest the following new recommendations for different stakeholders concerning the relation between accessibility to services and residents’ wellbeing in Amman, particularly focusing on the Abdoun Al-Janoubi and Al-Zahra neighborhoods. While some recommendations align with established policies already implemented by urban planners, community organizations, local governments, municipal authorities, residents, and community leaders, others propose innovative approaches designed to address emerging challenges and gaps not fully covered by current frameworks. Our aim was to blend proven practices with forward-thinking solutions to enhance urban development and community wellbeing. We can provide further details or references to specific policies, should you require them.

1. Urban Planners and Policy Makers

• Enhance Physical Infrastructure: Improve path crossings and general street safety in high-density areas like Al-Zahra to match the levels seen in Abdoun Al-Janoubi. Investments in lighting, street width, and pedestrian paths could significantly improve accessibility and wellbeing.
• Promote Esthetic Upgrades: Encourage esthetic enhancements in neighborhoods to improve residents’ satisfaction and wellbeing. Planting trees, installing artistic features, and better maintaining public spaces could provide substantial benefits.
• Public Transport Accessibility: Improve public transportation to reduce congestion and reliance on private cars in areas like Abdoun Al-Janoubi to enhance convenience without compromising esthetics.

2. Community Organizations

• Foster Social Engagement Programs: Develop community activities and engagement programs in both neighborhoods to strengthen social relationships, which were noted to be weakly connected to the residential setting and more influenced by other personal factors.
• Support Networks: Enhance social support networks in Al-Zahra by facilitating neighborhood meet-ups or community support groups where neighbors can share resources and offer help.

3. Local Government and Municipal Authorities

• Zoning and Regulatory Adjustments: Adjust zoning laws and embark on projects that balance residential density with the need for accessible services. This could involve creating mixed-use developments within or adjacent to existing residential areas to reduce travel distances.
• Amenities Improvement and Maintenance: Upgrade and maintain public amenities, such as parks and community centers, in both neighborhoods to ensure they meet the expected standards of comfort and safety. Public facilities must accommodate both the esthetic and practical needs of the residents.

4. Residents and Community Leaders

• Participatory Initiatives: Engage in participatory urban planning to advocate for necessary changes in neighborhood infrastructure and services. Resident input should guide the prioritization of issues regarding comfort, safety, and the local environment.
• Awareness Campaigns: Organize awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of better urban planning and encourage community participation in maintaining neighborhood esthetics and safety.
• By focusing on these recommendations, stakeholders can improve the accessibility and overall wellbeing of residents in different urban settings in Amman. Implementing these changes holistically ensures that both the infrastructural and societal aspects of wellbeing are addressed effectively.

5.5. Future Studies

We recognize the limitations inherent in our current research design, particularly the use of a cross-sectional approach that captures data at a single point in time. While this method provides valuable insights into the present state of service accessibility and resident wellbeing, it lacks the ability to track changes or trends over time, which is a significant drawback in a rapidly evolving city like Amman. To address this, future research endeavors will incorporate longitudinal studies, allowing us to capture dynamic shifts and long-term impacts more effectively. This strategy will give us a more comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape and its implications.

Moreover, the transition from statistically significant results to actionable city planning insights requires a nuanced approach that considers local needs and community perspectives. In response to this, we propose a participatory approach for our future research phases. By actively engaging local stakeholders, community leaders, and residents through workshops and forums, we aim to gather diverse insights and priorities. This integration of qualitative perspectives with our quantitative findings will enable us to craft more detailed and practical recommendations tailored to community-specific needs.

We also recognize the potential value of conducting case studies in partnership with local authorities. Such collaborations would not only reinforce the practical applicability of our findings but also facilitate their implementation in real-world scenarios. By combining thorough research with participatory methods, our study aims to contribute more significantly to the field of urban planning in Amman and beyond.