Evaluation of djibouti mahamoud harbi square as a public space within the framework of square design principles

The square is one of the most important public spaces where people gather and organize various activities. The square, known as the social, cultural, economic and political life center of society, also serves as an entertaining place where people can meet and hold political discussions and where the commercial cycle is popular. Squares are considered one of the most important public spaces that have witnessed and survived the development and change of different eras in the historical process. After the industrial revolution, squares were transformed by the invention of motor vehicles and the migration of the population to the cities. In some squares it is forbidden to drive vehicles, while in others it is allowed. For this reason, some squares have lost their old square qualities with the change in function they have undergone over time, and vehicle-centered square types have emerged. In squares, which are the center of life and commerce, social interaction is facilitated, and the quality of the square is high. Towards the end of the 20th century, squares were reinterpreted as a research subject of various disciplines. It is difficult to establish universal criteria for the design of squares because the social structure, culture, beliefs, economic level and history of each country are different. However, it is possible to determine a common and similar understanding with the design principles of the square identified by different researchers. Mahamoud Harbi Square in Djibouti, which was selected as the study area for this thesis, is one of the historical, social, cultural, economic, and political symbols of Djibouti. Mahamoud Harbi Square, known as the most important square in the city of Djibouti, was called Rimbaud Square before the attainment of independence in 1977. After the 1980s, the square, which suffered from high traffic congestion, became the starting point for motor vehicles and, in particular, public transport busses traveling to different neighborhoods of Djibouti. Over time, attempts were made to find solutions with the arrangements made in Mahamoud Harbi Square by giving vehicles a central role. From today's perspective, it can be seen that the quality of the square has gradually declined because the arrangements made at different times in Mahamoud Harbi Square are not consistent with the principles of square design and the square has been redesigned with an understanding that places vehicles at the center, rather than people at the center. In the context of this problem, the main purpose of the study is to examine Mahamoud Harbi Square within the framework of the square design principles identified after the theoretical research, to support this study with participant, as it is an important public space, and to highlight the strengths and weakness points of the square. The secondary goal of the study is to develop suggestions that may be useful for the future design/application of the square in the city of Djibouti, where opportunities are extremely limited in terms of archival information and skilled personnel.