The Impact of Urban Street Characteristics on Walking Attractiveness and Humanization: A Study of The Streets of Kut City Center

Recently, many cities have faced significant challenges that directly impact the quality of life of their residents due to rapid urban growth. One of the most pressing issues is the encroachment on public spaces due to vehicle traffic, resulting in a decline in pedestrian-friendly environments. The concept of "humanizing cities" is central to contemporary urban design, focusing on improving the quality of urban life by redesigning public spaces to meet the needs of individuals and enhance comfort, safety, and social interaction. The importance of this study lies in addressing the challenges Iraqi cities face in creating pedestrian-friendly urban environments, particularly in medium-sized cities like Kut, which have witnessed rapid urban development in recent decades. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical methodology, combining field observations and user surveys to assess street characteristics, including sidewalk width, availability of green spaces, and safety levels. A statistical analysis using a five-point Likert scale was conducted to demonstrate the relationship between street design and pedestrian satisfaction. This study, therefore, identifies the most significant street features that enhance humanization and evaluates how each street in the Kut city center applies these principles. It also compared city center streets based on these attributes. The results indicated that pedestrian satisfaction is closely related to key physical features, such as sidewalk width, green spaces, and safety measures. Streets with these attributes scored higher in comfort and walkability, while those lacking them experienced lower pedestrian participation. That highlights the importance of prioritizing human-centered design to create inclusive, safe, and vibrant urban spaces.