Analysis and evaluation of the role of street cafés in enhancing urban space quality (case study: eram boulevard, hamedan)

Yemi Marandi, Parima; Sajad Zadeh, Hasan

doi:10.22034/uep.2025.545079.1705

Analysis and evaluation of the role of street cafés in enhancing urban space quality (case study: eram boulevard, hamedan)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Parima Yemi Marandi ¹

Hasan Sajad Zadeh ²

¹ Master’s degree student, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

² Professor, Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

10.22034/uep.2025.545079.1705

Abstract

Introduction: Street cafés have gradually emerged as socio-economic spaces in Iranian cities, possessing considerable potential to enhance the quality of public spaces. However, the expansion of these spaces often occurs without precise planning or alignment with the urban physical and social structure. This study aims to examine the relationship between the presence of street cafés and various dimensions of urban space quality along Eram Boulevard in Hamedan.
Methods: This descriptive–analytical and applied study targeted café staff and regular users of Eram Boulevard, including individuals who commute daily, work nearby, or use the boulevard for sports and walking activities. A purposive and convenience sampling method was applied, and a questionnaire with established content validity and a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94 was distributed to 380 participants. Data were analyzed using appropriate non-parametric statistical tests, including Chi-square and Friedman tests, in SPSS software.
Results: The findings revealed that the “Urban Vitality and Liveliness” index achieved the highest mean score of 3.44, indicating the role of street cafés in enhancing spatial dynamics, social interactions, and psychological security. The index for “Local Economy” (mean = 3.40) and “Aesthetics” (mean = 3.33) also performed well. Conversely, the dimensions of “Walkability” (mean = 3.09) and “Urban Environment” (mean = 2.88) received lower evaluations and require greater attention.
Conclusion: The results suggest that street cafés, beyond their mere consumptive function, can provide a platform for strengthening social capital, increasing urban vitality, and improving quality of life. The novelty of this study lies in its simultaneous assessment of social, psychological, aesthetic, economic, and environmental indicators, providing a comprehensive picture of the role of street cafés in enhancing the quality of public space. These findings can serve as a reference for human-centered urban planning and policy-making in similar cities.

Keywords

Eram Boulevard, Hamedan, Quality Enhancement , Street café

؛ s, Urban Spaces

20.1001.1.28212118.1405.7.1.7.3

Subjects

Urban Studies

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