Humanizing Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Streets: From a Car-Centric City to a Healthy, Culturally Vibrant, and Climate-Resilient City
摘要
The implementation of car-centric planning combined with the annual increase of visitors for Hajj and Umrah in Al-Madinah has led to a significant increase in car dependence on the streets, resulting in traffic congestion, air pollution, and a deterioration of public well-being. In response to Saudi Vision 2030, Al-Madinah is currently transitioning from a focus on cars to a focus on people in its planning. Al-Madinah’s Municipality is seeking a significant transformation that will establish the city as a prominent example of urban development, prioritizing the well-being and quality of life of its residents. This chapter displays the case study of Al-Madinah as an example of a city taking significant action to humanize its streets, moving away from a focus on cars and instead creating spaces that are more livable, environmentally sustainable, and culturally vibrant. These efforts include enhancing the infrastructure to be more pedestrian-friendly, promoting the visual and cultural identity, improving accessibility to historical sites, increasing vegetation, enhancing diversity, enhancing public spaces, and improving the public transit infrastructure. There are ongoing challenges in attaining an appropriate balance between the use of cars and the needs of pedestrians. The chapter asserts that by giving priority to the needs of people and the local culture, cities can create vibrant spaces for people, a healthier and climate-resilient environment.