Urban Life In Public Spaces

Tareq AbdullaTareq Abdulla Akram NhairAkram Nhair

American University of Sharjah School of Architecture and Design

Urban Planning Graduate Program & Department of Architecture

Contents

Introduction

• The objective of the project is to study the qualities of urban space in modern city by choosing two deferent urban space types, and compares them qualitatively to each other, and try to identify differences and similarities in term of people behavior, experience, and integration to the city.

Methodology

• The methodology used is based on qualitative and empirical bases. The study includes the following phases:

1- Data collection using literature, internet and authorities. 2- Contextual observe and site visit. 3- Conducting statistical survey and analysis. 4- Photography, graphic material and sketches. 5- Create a comparative analysis.

Al Ain Mall Description

-The mall is located in Al Kuwaitat District, close to the downtown area, and the border of Oman.

-Covering an area of 108,000 sq. m. featuring three levels.

-The mall contain over 160 outlets.

-More than 1000 covered car park areas in the ground level.

Al Ain Mall External view

Al Ain mall internal viewAl Ain mall internal view

Al Ain Mall plans

Ground Floor

1st Floor

2nd Floor

- Bastakiya has been transformed into a tourist village.

- It’s loaded with traditional courtyard houses, bedecked with wind towers.

- The district includes cultural center, a museum, an art gallery and restaurants.

Al Bastakiya Description

Al Bastakiya DescriptionAl Bastakiya Description

Comparative analysis

• History• Relationship to the city• Physical characters • Activities• Attractions• Users• Pedestrian movements• Car Access

HistoryAl Ain Mall

• The mall’s current location used to be a farmland owned by the developer.

• The construction works finished on 2001, and the official opening toke a place at the same year.

Al Bastakiya• When Persian merchants first

moved here and set up shop.• Since many of these

expatriates hailed from Iran's Bastak region, this quarter of town became know as the Bastakiya District.

• It was always busy as a trading and fishing hub with many visitors coming to conduct business from throughout the region.

Relationship to the cityAl Ain Mall Al Bastakiya

Physical charactersAl Bastakiya

Physical charactersAl Bastakiya

Activities

Al Ain Mall

• Shopping• Entertainment • Dining • Passive engagement

ActivitiesAl Bastakiya

• Cultural Activities• Entertainment• Dining

AttractionsAl Ain Mall

AttractionsAl Bastakiya

Attractions

Al Bastakiya

UsersAl Ain Mall• Approximately 80% are Arab

nationals including about 40% UAE Nationals.

• Most age groups are between 21 and 50.

• Most live within 25 Km radius.• Most belong to the middle

class.• 60% male, 40% female.• 67% married, 33 singles.• Most educated.• Occupation: 60% Public

Sector, 40% Private Sector.

UsersAl Bastakiya

• 65% are residents, locals and tourists who.

• 35% are workers, including: managers, restaurants staff, security… etc.

Pedestrian movementsAl Ain Mall

• The mall design encouraging the users to walk through it, specially between the two magnet shops; The Mega Mart and the Center Point Group.

• Benches and planters in the alleyways are carefully positioned to attract shoppers into stores.

Pedestrian movements

1- the pattern for the stretch

of the preserved historical area, Shindigha area, Grand Souq, Fehidi Fort and Al Bastakiya district.

2- the circulation within Al Bastakiya itself.

Al Bastakiya

Al Ain Mall Al Bastakiya

Car Access

Findings

• Physical Findings• Social Findings• Behavior Findings• Economical Findings

Physical Findings

Al Ain Mall• The mall has a negative

physical impact on the city, through creating an activity area opened inward, and at the same time it’s segregated from the city through ugly, blank, and high walls on it’s outside.

Al Bastakiya• It has a positive impact on

the city, since it has a unique architectural characteristics , with many accesses points physically and visually from different directions.

Social FindingsAL Ain Mall

• The mall is encouraging the social segregation based on the income and purchasing power.

Al Bastakiya

• In Al Bastakiya the social segregation has emerged through transforming the area into tourists attraction and a cultural area.

Behavior FindingsAl Ain MallThe behavior of the users is the result of the mall’s physical design, creating an internal environment that is ideal and close to perfection. The mall is encouraging the users to walk through it, to enter the shops, and to buy. And this is the idea of the theme park, which tries to transform the urban space from being an organic part of the city, into totally separated and independent entity.

Al Bastakiya

The tourist’s behavior in Al Bastakiya is based on the need to discover the mystery of the area, provided through narrow and surprising alleyways. And it’s not the result of clear destination or pre-controlled direction.

Economical Findings

Al Ain Mall

Economical revenue is the primary reason behind creating the mall.

Al BastakiyaEconomical revenue is not considered to be the primary motive for operating and sustaining the site.