Abstract:
Pedestrian areas are a type of urban public space, nowadays because of the serious consequencesof car-dependency and ignoring pedestrian needs, a consensus on the importance of walking and the necessity forplanning for pedestrians movement has been formed among urban designers, planners and people. The concernsabout human health and movement in city create a new trend in contemporary urbanism, entitled “pedestrianizationmovement”. So far, walking in the streets has been defined under the influence of cars and they have always been givena priority over pedestrians. As a result, cars gradually conquer urban spaces, retreat pedestrians from their essentialrights to use public spaces. If it is accepted that the quality of urban public areas has a considerable influence oncitizens’ everyday social activities, this influence can be seen much greater in car free zones than anywhere else in thecity. The main attention of the present study is enhancing social interactions in urban spaces, so the main purpose ofthe study is finding solutions and providing a model and design criteria to promote social interaction of citizens. Theresearch methodology is qualitative which is based on reviewing literature of pedestrian areas and social interactions.The case of study is Khajoo Neighborhood, one of the oldest and historical neighbors of Isfahan1. The result shows thatdesign of pedestrian zones invite people and residents to spend their time in urban space and have social interactions.
Machine summary:
International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development Vol. 5, No. 2, Spring 2015 Pedestrian Area Design to Promote Social Interaction (Case study: Isfahan Khajoo Neighborhood) 1*Elaheh Naghibi, 2Farah Habib, 3Amirhossein Shabani 1 M.
(Fig. 6) Table 4: Summary of Different Theories on Pedestrianism Theorists Book, Article, Report Concepts and Theories Jane Jacobs "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" Book, 1961 -Mixed uses, social mixture, Flexibility -Giving meaning to city center by active and vibrant pedestrian areas with possibility of social interactions and diverse behaviors X X Project for Resulting from studying -Accessibility and integration (pedestrian activities, transit, eligibility, X X X Public Space more than 1000 urban connectivity) public spaces in different -Comfort and mental image (Walkability, Spirituality) countries, 2003 -Uses and activities (Retailing, celebration and ceremonies, entertainment) -Sociability (social networks, night activities, voluntarily activities, amiability, diversity, cooperation) Serge "Community and Privacy" -Free public transportation facility X X Chermayeff Book, 1964 -Rental bike in city centers Jan Gehl "Life Between Buildings" -Three types of activity in urban space: necessary, optional, social X Book, 1987 -Livable city=Traffic Calming =using of public spaces by more numbers of people and spending leisure time in it Bill Hillier "Space Syntax" Theory, -Natural preservation of urban space by presence of people in the space X X 1996 -Compatibility of successful public spaces with local traffic system and the importance of connection between spaces for pedestrians -Presence by product of movement in space in most of pedestrian travels: Possibility of doing other activities in addition to the primary function of travel from origin to destination, such as stopping to buy newspaper, talking with a friend, viewing and watching around.