![]() ![]() ![]() However, the high economical level of the resident users is not reflected in the street’s negligent appearance and services. The location of the street, which is in close proximity to the city’s waterfront governs the high value of the surrounding properties, which in turn determines the affluent social class of the residents. From an urban point of view, the street seems underutilized in many aspects, not only due to the number of brown fields that flank the street on both sides, but also due to the low level of social engagement and ineligible sidewalks. Al Mehmadi Heraa Street from the intersection with King Abdulaziz Street from the East to the intersection with Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Street from the West is a quiet residential street with few commercial projects and hotels. As a part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts in the field of urban development and sustainability, this project was conducted with fifteen students at Effat University in Jeddah who worked in groups to redesign four major east-west roads in Jeddah from car-oriented unwalkable streets into vibrant pedestrian oriented streetscapes. Fact is that activated pedestrianoriented streets are essential ingredients of vibrant cities. This affected the social, economic and environmental interaction of most communities in an adverse way, leading to suburbanized clusters with little vitality, a trend that is still prevalent in Jeddah today. A turning point in the holistic perception of streetscapes as public mixed-use spaces happened during Modernist era with the widespread separation of car and pedestrian movement with priority given to vehicular motion. Traditionally, streets represented not only circulation nodes but important places for people to linger, interact, and enjoy each other’s company. Throughout the history of cities, streets provided people with vital public open spaces right outside their homes. With this project, our goal was to transform four car-oriented streets in Jeddah into integrated and pedestrianfriendly streets where people can effortlessly do their errands, shop, talk, sit and, most importantly enjoy themselves. However, in Jeddah, walking a few blocks or crossing a street is not only an inconvenience but poses a danger to any pedestrian. Walking is the oldest and simplest form of human transportation.
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