Pedestrian street and its effect on economic sustainability of a historical Middle Eastern city: The case of Chaharbagh Abbasi in Isfahan, Iran
Pedestrianization is an urban revitalization strategy to enhance sustainability and livability in car-oriented cities. Despite many studies in this research field, the effects of pedestrianization on the economy of cities in developing countries still need further investigation. Additionally, the im...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Geography and Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666683923000184 |
| _version_ | 1797736642940764160 |
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| author | Soudabeh Shahmoradi Sayyed Mahdi Abtahi Pedro Guimarães |
| author_facet | Soudabeh Shahmoradi Sayyed Mahdi Abtahi Pedro Guimarães |
| author_sort | Soudabeh Shahmoradi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Pedestrianization is an urban revitalization strategy to enhance sustainability and livability in car-oriented cities. Despite many studies in this research field, the effects of pedestrianization on the economy of cities in developing countries still need further investigation. Additionally, the impact of this strategy on the tenant mix of commercial and historical areas in Middle East countries is nebulous. To address these inadequacies, we considered Chaharbagh Abbasi street, located in the heart of Isfahan, Iran, and investigated the impact of a pedestrianization project with particular emphasis on how it affects the economic sustainability of existent commercial fabric. Pre- and post-project data along with field observations and quantifications used to assess structural replacements in trade, were analyzed with SPSS and ArcGIS software. The results revealed unexpected outcomes, such as the closure of some traditional businesses (27.5%), a stagnation in sales (69%) and a decrease in job offers (84%) leading the local economy to a fragile situation. Conversely, it was found that the footfall volume increased by 64% and 73% from the retailers’ and pedestrians’ viewpoints. This evolution along with a wide opening of food and beverage stores (approximately 60%) makes the post-pedestrianization results more promising than earlier predictions. In conclusion, these findings reinforce the importance of pedestrian streets in revitalizing economic activities in historical and commercial areas from the perspective of economic sustainability. Due to the lack of similar investigations in Middle East countries, these findings can support decision-makers and urban planners to take preventive measures in preserving the diversity of individual small shops for upcoming urban rehabilitation projects in terms of pedestrianization. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:16:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cfdbfba94a6349ae85c28209f5a5e4a0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-6839 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:16:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geography and Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj.art-cfdbfba94a6349ae85c28209f5a5e4a02023-08-27T04:28:14ZengElsevierGeography and Sustainability2666-68392023-09-0143188199Pedestrian street and its effect on economic sustainability of a historical Middle Eastern city: The case of Chaharbagh Abbasi in Isfahan, IranSoudabeh Shahmoradi0Sayyed Mahdi Abtahi1Pedro Guimarães2Department of urban planning, Iranian Knowledge-Based Company of Pezhvak Tarh Iranian, Isfahan Science and Technology Town, Isfahan University of Technology Blvd, Isfahan, IranDepartment of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, IranCentre of Geographical Studies, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning, Lisboa, Portugal; Corresponding author.Pedestrianization is an urban revitalization strategy to enhance sustainability and livability in car-oriented cities. Despite many studies in this research field, the effects of pedestrianization on the economy of cities in developing countries still need further investigation. Additionally, the impact of this strategy on the tenant mix of commercial and historical areas in Middle East countries is nebulous. To address these inadequacies, we considered Chaharbagh Abbasi street, located in the heart of Isfahan, Iran, and investigated the impact of a pedestrianization project with particular emphasis on how it affects the economic sustainability of existent commercial fabric. Pre- and post-project data along with field observations and quantifications used to assess structural replacements in trade, were analyzed with SPSS and ArcGIS software. The results revealed unexpected outcomes, such as the closure of some traditional businesses (27.5%), a stagnation in sales (69%) and a decrease in job offers (84%) leading the local economy to a fragile situation. Conversely, it was found that the footfall volume increased by 64% and 73% from the retailers’ and pedestrians’ viewpoints. This evolution along with a wide opening of food and beverage stores (approximately 60%) makes the post-pedestrianization results more promising than earlier predictions. In conclusion, these findings reinforce the importance of pedestrian streets in revitalizing economic activities in historical and commercial areas from the perspective of economic sustainability. Due to the lack of similar investigations in Middle East countries, these findings can support decision-makers and urban planners to take preventive measures in preserving the diversity of individual small shops for upcoming urban rehabilitation projects in terms of pedestrianization.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666683923000184Urban planningPedestrianizationChaharbagh abbasiSustainable Development Goals (SDGs)Economic sustainabilityHistoric city centers |
| spellingShingle | Soudabeh Shahmoradi Sayyed Mahdi Abtahi Pedro Guimarães Pedestrian street and its effect on economic sustainability of a historical Middle Eastern city: The case of Chaharbagh Abbasi in Isfahan, Iran Geography and Sustainability Urban planning Pedestrianization Chaharbagh abbasi Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Economic sustainability Historic city centers |
| title | Pedestrian street and its effect on economic sustainability of a historical Middle Eastern city: The case of Chaharbagh Abbasi in Isfahan, Iran |
| title_full | Pedestrian street and its effect on economic sustainability of a historical Middle Eastern city: The case of Chaharbagh Abbasi in Isfahan, Iran |
| title_fullStr | Pedestrian street and its effect on economic sustainability of a historical Middle Eastern city: The case of Chaharbagh Abbasi in Isfahan, Iran |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pedestrian street and its effect on economic sustainability of a historical Middle Eastern city: The case of Chaharbagh Abbasi in Isfahan, Iran |
| title_short | Pedestrian street and its effect on economic sustainability of a historical Middle Eastern city: The case of Chaharbagh Abbasi in Isfahan, Iran |
| title_sort | pedestrian street and its effect on economic sustainability of a historical middle eastern city the case of chaharbagh abbasi in isfahan iran |
| topic | Urban planning Pedestrianization Chaharbagh abbasi Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Economic sustainability Historic city centers |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666683923000184 |
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