Muthanna Journal of Engineering and Technology
Volume (14), Issue (2), Year (2026), Pages (14-24)
DOI:10.52113/3/eng/mjet/2026-14-02-/14-24
Research Article By:
Abdullah Jabbar Hameedi AL-Rubaye
Corresponding author E-mail: abdullah.jabbar@qu.edu.iq
ABSTRACT
Urban livability is a very important aspect of sustainable urban development especially when it comes to historic cities that are being affected by climatic changes and extreme growth of urban areas. The research assesses the livability of Al Jamiya Street, a major commercial-recreational street in Babylon, Iraq, using a mixed-method which incorporates morphological and pedestrian survey (n = 50). Its results demonstrate an inherent contradiction namely the street is a well-developed economic tourism spot, but its livability is grossly limited by the environmental pressures (excess heat with poor shading, surface temperatures above 50 °C), infrastructure shortcomings (pedestrian-vehicle interactions, lack of crossings), and social restraints (lack of diversity among users). The study proves that the existing situations result in seasonally contingent livability, which puts commercial activities ahead of social equality and environmental comfort. Some of the recommendations can be immediate shading interventions, strategic greening, traffic calming, and public policy initiatives that can be implemented to ensure the city is more inclusive and resilient. This research adds to the literature on livability because it offers a contextual framework of evaluating and enhancing urban streets in historic Middle Eastern cities through the requisite balance of economic vitality and holistic quality of existence in hot arid climates.
Keywords:
Urban Livability; Pedestrian Experience; Public Space Quality; Mixed-Methods Evaluation; Social Vibrancy; Hot-Arid Urban Design.