Evaluating Pedestrianized Streets through New Urbanism Principles: A Comparative Study of Istiklal Street (Istanbul) and JBR (Dubai)

Abstract

Pedestrianized streets have become important components of sustainable urban development due to their ability to enhance walkability, social interaction, accessibility, and quality of life. The principles of New Urbanism provide a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of pedestrian-oriented environments through factors such as connectivity, mixed-use development, transportation accessibility, sustainability, and urban design quality. Istiklal Street in Istanbul and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) in Dubai are two prominent pedestrian-oriented destinations that attract residents and tourists through their diverse activities and urban experiences. Despite their different historical and cultural contexts, both streets aim to create vibrant public environments that support social and economic activities. This research evaluates the performance of both streets according to selected New Urbanism principles through a comparative analysis approach. The study examines walkability, connectivity, mixed-use diversity, housing, urban design quality, transportation systems, sustainability, and quality of life. The findings indicate that both streets successfully promote pedestrian activity and social interaction; however, each demonstrates different strengths. Istiklal Street exhibits stronger cultural identity, historical character, and urban density, while JBR provides superior pedestrian comfort through landscaping, shading, greenery, and street furniture. The study concludes that successful pedestrianized environments require a balance between cultural identity, accessibility, sustainability, and user comfort to achieve long-term urban vitality