Alleys: The Future of Walkability in Suburbs Insights for Planning Practice from Dubai

Abstract

Alleys present a promising avenue for enhancing walkability in suburban environments, and this study strongly advocates for their integral role in designing pedestrian-friendly suburban neighborhoods. To explore this potential, a carefully selected dataset comprising 15 neighborhood samples from Dubai was employed. The Edge Betweenness centrality measure served as the analytical tool to evaluate how the inclusion of alleys influenced estimated trip patterns along network segments. This analysis involved a comparative examination of two network scenarios: one before integrating alleys and another after. The overarching objective was to pinpoint the conditions under which alleys serve as either complementary or compensatory elements alongside streets. The study's outcomes highlight that the key factor determining whether alleys complement or compensate street networks hinges on their relative density compared to streets. Furthermore, attributes such as the continuity of alleys, their distribution within the network, and their directional characteristics were found to significantly impact their role as central network links. The insights derived from this analysis have far-reaching implications for informing urban policies and design strategies, ultimately fostering the development of more pedestrian-friendly suburban areas.

Date of Award	22 Apr 2024
Original language	American English
Supervisor	KHALED ALAWADI (Supervisor)