December 3, 2017

Street Design In Arid Regions

streets are one of the richest and most distributed urban public spaces, people spend a considerable amount of their time in streets, weather to walk, cycle, commute, play or even socialise. unfortunately, this is not the case in many arid region countries which form around one third of the world.

this was my master thesis where I focused on studying street design in European countries and identifying what makes a street successful. also, I investigated the possibility of applying these good practices to provide a similar experience within arid regions. finaly I provided street design guidlines, and a detailed design for three streets in Doha Qatar.

Al-mirqab Al-jadeed street

analysis

the site is a heavily trafficked street, that forms a dividing line between two fundamental areas, Al Mirqab area and Al Nasr area. this street was chosen because it has several local activities that are taking place in it, with a good location in the heart of the old Doha city

Phasing

Based on this study findings, phasing the process of improving street designs in Doha will be the best approach to eventually have people friendly streets. Based on this, a three phase process to improve Al Mirqab street, is suggested:

Phase one is site focused, improving the street conditions, materials, and design to create a street that is people friendly with a distinct character, encourages walking and outdoor activities in addition to introducing green infrastructure.
Phase two, intervention that will create a better connection between the redesigned street and other streets and public realms nearby.
Phase three, creating a common language between Al Mirqab street and other streets such as Al Nadi street in addition to start applying cycling routes after introducing walkability in phase one.

Design Proposal

The street will be divided into two sections, the traffic in the street will be limited on one section of the street which links Doha expressway road to Al kinana street, as Al kinana street is parallel to Al Mirqab street. The rest of the street will be pedestrianised with seating areas.

The section with car traffic, will include two car lanes with no parking areas as all the parking spots will be transferred to certain parking areas around the street. the rest of this section will include walking spaces and seating areas for optional activities, moreover it will respond to climate by applying shading roofs with solar panels that will provide energy to be used in the street lights and other elements, in addition to using canopies and trees to provide extra shades and air ventilation.
Pedestrian crossings are applied in this section as the existing street does not have any, which creates a safety problem, moreover the street will be taking an angle to calm down the speed and create a responsive street.

The second section is fully pedestrianised with seating areas and green infrastructure. For shading, roofs with solar panels, canopies, and trees will be used. For the seating areas there will be two types, regular wooden benches underneath the canopies, and seating areas that involves greenery, wooden roofs for shading and seats. Moreover, several fountains will be applied along the street to cool the weather and water sprays to cool pedestrians crossing by. Along the street there will be three open public spaces that are transferred from some existing car parks.

Open public space, one of the existing car parks along the pedestrian section was chosen to be re-designed to demonstrate how it could serve as an open public space. The proposed space will create a comfortable, enjoyable, and inviting space within the street, that will act as a needed break from the polluted surrounding environment, for optional activities. The space responds to climate by implementing several traditional and modern elements. A wind tower, that is inspired by the one in Masdar city. Canopies shading, inspired by the ones in Al Mawalih Souq, water fountains to draw attention to the space and cool the air, adding take away cafe shops and roofs with solar panels, in addition to using a combination of lightning pavements with mosaic pavements as reversion to old with new combination.