Towards Livable Streets: Physical Factors for Enhanced Urban Growth and Street Design

This study aims to identify and evaluate the physical factors that impact the livability and quality of urban streets, with a primary focus on how these factors drive, enable, and constrain urban growth. This study utilized an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach to examine in detail the relationship between key physical street design parameters and patterns of urban expansion and transformation. Initially, qualitative data were gathered through a comprehensive literature review that identified key themes related to physical street layout and its direct impact on urban development. Field surveys were conducted to collect quantitative data from street users using structured questionnaires. To analyze the physical structure and visual aspects of the streets, data collection methods included both observational interviews and survey-based techniques. The target population for this study comprised residents, pedestrians, and workers on the selected streets in 2024. The findings reveal that several physical challenges, such as inadequate lighting, weak integration between streets and buildings, insufficient pathway width, narrow sidewalks, parking shortages, traffic congestion, inefficient public services, unimproved building façades, limited planting spaces, poorly managed signage and boards, and a lack of seating areas, not only reduce the perceived livability of urban streets but also directly hinder the capacity for urban growth, redevelopment, and densification. The study shows that fixing these physical issues is crucial not only for enhancing user experience and quality of life but also for eliminating barriers to urban growth and helping urban areas adapt better to increasing populations and economic activity. It advocates a holistic approach to urban street design that prioritizes the functional, spatial, and aesthetic qualities of street environments as foundational strategies for stimulating and supporting sustainable urban growth. By fostering effective collaboration among urban planners, local governments, and communities, cities can implement targeted physical design interventions to create more livable urban spaces and actively facilitate urban development. This chapter serves as a vital resource for understanding how improving street design through key physical factors is directly linked to enhanced urban livability and robust growth.