Date of Award

6-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Architectural Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Khalid Galal, PhD

Second Advisor

Yasser Elsheshtawy, PhD

Third Advisor

Henry Sanoff , PhD

Abstract

The thesis studies the existing problems of AI Ain Downtown plazas mainly from the physical and social points of view. AI Ain downtown plazas are designed to provide a high level of social life. The main problem of these plazas is that they are used by only a particular social group. This study intends to develop a framework for evaluating and enhancing the urban public spaces in AI Ain city.

The framework is classified into two main dimensions; physical and social. Each dimension has a set of principles that affect the performance of the plaza. A descriptive analysis method is used to describe the existing situation of these principles. Different instruments are used to analyze the existing condition of the principles. Aerial maps, drawings and photographic instruments are used to analyze the physical dimension. Surveys using a questionnaire and a unique mapping process using a Geographical Information System (GIS) called cartographica and cartomobile were used for social analysis.

These data will be analyzed and studied carefully in order to evaluate the selected plazas and compare the collected data with each other. Finally set of recommendations and suggestions are discussed to find suitable solutions for the existing problems. In order to accommodate the differences in the use of social class and ethnic groups, valuable public sites are essentially needed to enable decisions that sustain cultural and social diversity and also to end up with a final framework helping the designers and planners to design successful urban public spaces.

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