Urban quality of life is a notion that has been discussed recently in various studies as a
response to many problems facing the new towns all over the world as well as in Egypt. The purpose
of this paper is to decompose the term urban quality of life into other more precise terms such as
quality, quality of life and urban/urban planning. The paper also aims to address the notion of
sustainable development and tries to understand its relationship with the notion of quality of life.
Further, it deduces urban quality of life definition and dimensions. On the other hand this paper
discusses contemporary urban planning theories and approaches raised in the late of twentieth
century in order to provide a high and sustainable quality of life and protect the natural environment.
Finally, a matrix concluding the relationship between the principles of these contemporary
urban planning theories and approaches and urban quality of life dimensions is developed, in order
to achieve a set of principles that address environmental, physical, mobility, social, psychological,
economical and political concerns called urban quality of life principles. These principles represent a
guide useful for participants of the design process and for policy makers.