Developed vs. undeveloped streets in Da Nang, Vietnam: which are more usable, and for whom?

Abstract

ABSTRACT The improvement of street space, in both physical and non-physical aspects, has brought a new-look to the city but also raised some controversy. Undeveloped streets, despite their lower quality and fewer amenities, still prove to have a certain attraction to urban residents. This study explores users’ perceived usage of street space based on physical and non-physical attributes that help fill the knowledge gap in street design and development. The results show that higher-income individuals tend to gather and participate in activities on modern streets, while lower-income individuals have a tendency to use undeveloped streets. This result supports the hypothesis that differences in demography can lead to differences in environmental perceptions. These findings also provide empirical evidence of the irrationality of street improvement in Vietnam, which primarily focuses on physical factors but omits non-physical elements. The study also gives suggestions for street improvements and development in Vietnam, in particular, which can be applied in countries with similar socio-economic and cultural contexts.