ABSTRACT

Streets constitute a major part of public open spaces and also one of the most important parts of the public realm. Streets are more than just places to drive; they provide opportunities for social interaction, inclusion and facilitate the development of communities. They also have a special place in literature on public realm; however, studies on literature have established that not all streets are able to promote social activities equally. Some streets are definitely more active than others and probably hence, vary in their social value. This paper reviews the literature to identify the design elements that influence the social value of streets by citing examples from Indian streets. Findings from the study identify a gap in literature, which is the lack of focus on street façade design elements that can possibly influence the social value of streets.