The Characteristics of Livable Streets: A Study of Physical Aspects of Two Streets in Riyadh

Abstract

Riyadh is one of the major capital cities of the world, its urban fabric has been affected by rapid urbanization and population growth. Enormous urban expansion has had negative effects on the human dimension, as the streets became more devoted to transportation rather than an integrated urban space. The local municipalities in Riyadh have exerted efforts to restore the human dimension to streets by developing urban spaces and built environments. However, these efforts did not provide a strategy for creating livable streets, because they were built based on individual initiatives. This work aims to investigate the physical aspects of Riyadh streetscapes and define their influences on the livability and quality of spaces. This paper provides a descriptive analysis of two streets in Riyadh, Tahlia Street and Tabuk Street, which have been developed to make them pedestrian friendly. The research data were obtained through field surveys, interviews, and observations. Moreover, in-depth analyses of several government reports from The Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs were conducted. Results show that Tahlia Street has wide physical aspects compared to Tabuk Street, making the former more vital than the latter. However, both streets lack some street infrastructure to protect pedestrians from weather conditions. Finally, the paper proposes to develop the current conditions of the physical characteristics of street scenes in order to improve the quality of the streets in Riyadh and enhance the residents' quality of life.

Keywords

• livable
• streets
• physical
• urban design
• quality of life
• riyadh
• saudi arabia