Urban commercial corridors play a crucial role in promoting social sustainability by providing public spaces that encourage pedestrian activity and social interaction. While previous studies have established that active frontage contributes to urban vitality, the mechanism through which physical frontage characteristics influence social interaction remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the direct effect of Active Frontage on Social Interaction and examines the mediating role of Visual Connectivity in an urban commercial corridor. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Blok M commercial corridor, South Jakarta, involving 84 respondents selected through field-based questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4, which is suitable for exploratory models with relatively small sample sizes and formative measurement constructs. The findings indicate that Active Frontage has a significant positive effect on Visual Connectivity, while Visual Connectivity significantly enhances Social Interaction. In contrast, the direct relationship between Active Frontage and Social Interaction is not statistically significant. Mediation analysis demonstrates that Visual Connectivity fully mediates the relationship between Active Frontage and Social Interaction (indirect-only mediation, VAF = 67.19%), indicating that physical frontage characteristics foster social interaction primarily by improving visual accessibility, transparency, and perceived spatial openness. These findings suggest that Visual Connectivity functions as the key behavioral mechanism linking built form characteristics to social outcomes in commercial streets. The study contributes to urban design theory by extending the understanding of Active Frontage beyond its physical attributes and highlighting the importance of visual permeability in supporting socially sustainable public spaces. The results also provide practical guidance for planners and designers to prioritize transparent façades, visually permeable ground floors, and pedestrian oriented street environments in the revitalization of commercial corridors.
Oleh :
M. Dedes Nur Gandarum W.
