Design and evaluate a mixed-use corridor for sustainable urban mobility

Thesis Abstract

Rapid urbanization and increasing commuter pressure have intensified the need for sustainable urban mobility solutions, particularly through the development of integrated infrastructural corridors that promote efficient movement, environmental sustainability, and enhanced urban liveability. Despite numerous initiatives worldwide, the optimal design, implementation, and evaluation of mixed-use corridors that effectively balance transportation, commercial, and residential land uses remain underexplored, especially in rapidly growing cities. This study aims to design a comprehensive model for a mixed-use corridor that promotes sustainable urban mobility, with specific objectives to identify key planning principles, assess current mobility challenges, develop a corridor design integrating transport and land-use components, and evaluate its potential socioeconomic and environmental impacts. Adopting a mixed-methods research approach, the study combines qualitative analysis through stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions with quantitative surveys targeting residents, commuters, and urban planners within the selected city. The research population encompasses approximately 2,000 residents and 500 urban planning professionals, with a stratified random sampling technique used to select 400 residents and 100 professionals for survey participation. Data collection instruments include structured questionnaires, interview guides, and spatial analysis tools. The validity and reliability of the survey instruments are ensured through pilot testing and Cronbach’s alpha analysis, with a threshold value of 0.75 indicating acceptable internal consistency. Spatial data are analyzed using Geographic Information System (GIS) software, while statistical analyses, including multiple regression and ANOVA, are employed to examine relationships among variables such as land-use mix, transportation modes, and user preferences. Thematic analysis guides qualitative data interpretation. Expected findings envisage identifying critical design parameters that influence the success of mixed-use corridors, such as proximity to transit nodes, integrated land-use planning, and accessibility features. The study anticipates revealing significant correlations between corridor design characteristics and user satisfaction, environmental quality, and socioeconomic benefits. It is expected that the proposed corridor model will demonstrate potential to reduce vehicular congestion by 25%, increase public transit modal share by 15%, and contribute to improved air quality indicators based on simulation forecasts. The research also aims to provide a set of actionable design guidelines for urban planners and policymakers, emphasizing sustainability criteria derived from empirical evidence. This study contributes novel insights into the integration of land-use and transportation planning within the framework of sustainable urban mobility, advancing theoretical understanding by applying the Multi-Modal Transport Efficiency Theory and the Compact City Model to corridor design. It offers a practical template for city authorities to develop context-specific, evidence-based corridors that align with sustainable development goals. Additionally, the study fills critical gaps in the existing literature regarding the socio-environmental impacts of mixed-use corridors, especially in the context of developing urban environments. The main conclusions underscore the importance of holistic planning approaches that integrate transport infrastructure with land-use strategies to foster sustainable mobility outcomes. Recommendations include adopting participatory planning processes involving diverse stakeholders, leveraging GIS and data analytics for continuous monitoring, and prioritizing transit-oriented development principles. Suggestions for future research advocate for longitudinal studies to evaluate the long-term socio-economic and environmental impacts of implemented corridors, as well as comparative analyses across different urban settings to refine design frameworks. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive blueprint for designing and evaluating mixed-use corridors that can significantly contribute to sustainable urban mobility objectives in rapidly urbanizing contexts.