Measuring pedestrian quality standards: a case study of Al-Khourng walkway and Al-Rawan Street

Abstract

Streets are an important component of the urban form and the most popular urban space in the city. Therefore, our streets deserve to be more than just traffic lanes because the negative impact of car-centered lifestyles has led to the reduction of urban spaces and their inadequacy with human needs, as it creates a social burden. We are also increasingly aware of the devastating cost of car air pollution, to our health. Cities are starting to realize that by encouraging more people to walk by reducing the number of car trips, as in old cities. A healthier and equal society can be created, business and investment attracted, and streets become a vital space for pedestrians and need to be governed effectively and efficiently to promote a conducive, sustainable and friendly environment for all. The aim of this study is to find out the difference between a pedestrian street scene and a car based on the characteristics of a pedestrian-friendly environment. The study area that will be covered in the research in the practical side is the Al-Khoranq walkway in the old city of Najaf with an organic planning and Al-Rawan Street in the modern districts of Najaf with network planning. As for the practical side of the research, geographic information systems technology was used with field surveys and image capture of the study area. The study reached a conclusion that the planning of our city around cars left many streets unattractive places for walking or hiking due to the failure to achieve safety and comfort for pedestrians, unlike pedestrian streets that were planned for the person and achieve his well-being when using the street.