The Impact of Al-Yarmouk University on the Commercial Uses Types (Retail Activities) of Shafeeq Irshedat Street (University Street in Irbid City- Jordan)

Abstract

The distribution of commercial land uses in the city has a highly importance, also the type of these commercial uses, how, where and why they concentrated in a specific areas with various patterns is an important subject. This study aims to analyze the ground floor commercial uses types and retail activities which take place in Shafeeq Irshedat street, one of the most popular streets in Irbid city called also the University Street , regarding to the existence of Al-Yarmouk University on the east side of the street, and to show if there is a relationship and an impact of Al-Yarmouk University on these retail types , in another word if there is a concentration of activities which relate and serve especially the student’s needs. The findings of the study showed that there are various retail types, with highly percentage of 17% for uses related to student’s services including (educational centers, cultural centers, language centers, bookshops, 24-hour copying and printing services etc...), however other uses like computer shops, restaurants and cafes were serving also mainly the students category. It was concluded that Al-Yarmouk University impacts the retail activity in University Street causing student’s related activities in common to be found in the street with 59%. Therefore, many recommendations were mentioned at the end of the research.