The role of active public streets as preequiste for livable cities

Abstract

Cities all over the world are rediscovering their public spaces and a general awareness has been awakened regarding the need for dignified, high quality city environments for people. In some cities walking and public life are disappearing, emphasizing that life is becoming more and more privatized. Urban public streets made up the main component of any towns and cities that represent one of the major elements that create its sense of place. It is therefore very important to study and propose or recommend how they could be maintained or adapted for future reference and uses. It is also important to understand the underlying principles of their organization and design in order to be modified and adapted to be relevant to new and future settlement. Johor Bahru city is fast developing and changing in their effort to meet the current demands of the people. Living quality (that is residential settings and recreational facilities) and other environmental condition changes, with the development of the city and will evolve into new place. In the process of change, existing situation will be modified to meet its new uses and frequently it was found that many traces of the existing characteristics are erased. This situation is of loss to the place where traditional built environment is replaced by new with very little sense of continuity from their past situation, depriving the place of its roots and hence their sense of place. The development of towns and cities are normally influenced by many different aspects or characteristics such as physical (either natural or built form), socio-economic factor, land-use pattern, transportation system, psychological, behavioral and many others. They are interdependent (directly or indirectly) which is related to the history and culture of the people living in the town. The study established on the significant role of public active streets as prerequisite for creating urban livable environments. This study discussed the significance of the street as an important part of city elements. Therefore it is important to record and determine the urban pattern as well as the character of the urban space of the street for future references.