The vitality of commercial streets

Abstract

Commercial streets are the city’s mirror, they reflect the city’s status in general and particularly the local quality of life. Vitality is the core quality that determines successful open spaces. Thus, vital commercial streets are one of the main indicators of a successful city. Deterioration of the vitality in Commercial Street leads to dull open spaces or chaotic ones resulting in loss of the Commercial Street’s role in offering a pleasant experience that attracts users.

Alexandria is among the cities that face this problem. Historically, it was nominated as a pioneer city within the Mediterranean area for its successful urban spaces. Its present condition fails to satisfy many of its citizens. Thus, most of its citizens use other commercial venues instead of using its original commercial streets. This situation has influenced the economy of the city negatively and weakened peoples’ relationship with their physical environment. This is why the research at hand focuses on the vitality of commercial streets.

Through highlighting different indicators- “concepts” of vitality- this research aims at concluding a referential set, which is suitable to be used for appraising the vitality state of commercial streets. Through the theoretical, analytical and empirical methods, the research has been developed to reach that aim. After concluding the referential set from the theoretical base, the research examines it on three vital commercial streets (Mariahhilfer Street, Las Ramblas, and Istiklal Street) to investigate which concepts are significant. Finally, the referential set is applied on Al Attarine Mosque Commercial Street in Alexandria, finding that Al Attarine Mosque Street falls short on several dimension that would lead it to noble state of vitality.

Keywords: urban open spaces – streets - commercial - vitality - Meta concepts - Alexandria.