MIXED USE/COMMERCIAL STREET PEDESTRIANIZATION AS A STRATEGY TO ENHANCE THE EGYPTIAN STREET LIFE

Abstract

In recent years, the continuous deterioration of the Egyptian street life became an evident in congested cities such as Cairo. This is well identified in mixed use/commercial streets in general, and in downtown’s ones in particular. These streets function as corridors for vehicular movement, rather than places for people's activities and interaction due to car invasion with its consequent problems such as: pollution, and high congestion. Moreover, the transformation of commercial environment in Egypt as a result of many political and socio-economic movements such as public realm privatization and social mobility, along with the indoor shopping mall invasion in Cairo's new suburbs have contributed to emptying out the retail activities from old districts mixed use/commercial streets. The thesis in hand suggests the applicability of pedestrianization of mixed use/commercial street in these districts as an integrated strategy to enhance the quality of the street life and activities and promote walkability and social interaction. Thus, this study presents an analysis of the challenges and problems facing people in Egyptian streets, concludes a theoretical framework of various qualities of street walkability and street as a place for activities as suggested by leading urban theorists and planners, and accordingly, investigates street pedestrianization as an application of the integrated (corridor – place) street design approach that balances the dual functions of the street as a movement corridor that enhances walkability and a place for people’s activities and social interaction, aiming at proposing a research final integrated approach regarding mixed use/commercial street pedestrianization/pedestrian mall development. Furthermore, providing criteria for the selection of the mixed use/commercial streets that have the potential to be successfully converted into pedestrian malls that cater for walking, social interaction and economic activities.