An Evaluation of a Commercial Street's Livability to Improve its Vibrancy: a Case study of Chennai City

Abstract

Commercial Street vibrancy is ensured through different types of activities happening throughout the day which contributes to street livability. The overall vibrancy of the street contributes to environmental quality, aesthetic appeal, safety and urban development. This paper investigates key parameters that influence livability, focusing on T Nagar in Chennai, India as a case study. It examines how physical, design, social, safety, natural, and wellness components collectively influence the livability of urban commercial streets. Through extensive literature reviews, the study systematically identifies and analyses various parameters under each component to assess their impact on street vibrancy. An on-site physical and social survey was conducted, targeting active street users across various nodes of the study area, thereby providing valuable insights into everyday use. The findings provide a checklist to evaluate livability performance in commercial streets. This paper offers guidance for urban planners, designers and policymakers in identifying strengths to improve commercial street livability.