Upgrading commercial streets: Planning, Tools and design solutions Case study: Khlousi street, Shubra misr, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Commercial streets worldwide are considered an essential component of cities urban context. Over the course of years, that type of streets has evolved and developed and its organic growth proved to be one successful approach of city urban spaces and development. It also continued to develop and formed a type of architecture space within the buildings which contributed significantly on social, cultural and economical aspects. In addition to innovative urban design solutions.In recent years, components of cities have changed noticeably towards creating a new type of urban public spaces within modern types of mixed-use buildings and commercial streets are now a prominent part of it. It is noticeable now that people are started to lean towards the experience of commercial streets rather than commercial markets. Unlike markets, commercial streets provides a richer experience to in terms of social, economic, cultural and recreational aspects.The aim of this research is to study the possibility of upgrading such commercial streets to be not only an urban space for residents but also a touristic attraction area and a recreational area by highlighting the current obstacles, challenges and violations on such urban space. The current challenges unplanned mixed-uses, traffic congestion and high-density population are present mainly because of lacking strategic vision to develop and upgrade streets like this. This research proposes a methodology to study and assess the current situation of Khlousi street in Shurba Misr as a commercial street and analyze current challenges to propose a set of urban tactics and design solutions for urban context problems.

Keywords

• commercial streets
• urbanism
• shopping streets
• urban development