Urban theories

Theories of Architecture & Urbanism ARC 61303 / ARC 2224

Comparative Analysis Essay Appolo Bunder, South Mumbai & Jalan TAR, Kuala Lumpur Andrew Law Zi Hang 0322670 tutor: Mr. Nicholas Ng

Table of content Introduction to project 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Apollo Bunder, South Mumbai 1.2 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur

2.0 Comparative Analysis 2.1 Urban typologies and human social context 2.2 Human activities, Contact Points & intensity 2.3 Cultural context

3.0 Conclusion 4.0 Referrence

Introduction to project This project talks about a thorough comparative analysis between the findings from Part 1 case study 1 (Apollo Bunder, South Mumbai, India) and local site research for studio project (Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur). The key comparative analysis factor lies in determining and arguing the similarities and dissimilarities based on the patterns of urban form, built form, social activities, contact points, intensity, contextual conditon and cultural context between two Asian cities.

1.0 Introduction Human behavior within a city lies heavily on the built environment & other intangible factors (Cultural, economic aspects) and drives the occurrence of human activity within a specific space of a city. Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Apollo Bunder are thoroughly compared to an extent with both cities are asian influenced with similarities and dissimilarities. A comparison is done in terms of the built environment, urban forms and typologies, activities, social patterns, contact points and intensity, cultural context. Implementation of Gehl’s urban theories “Life between building� are to support the comparative analysis.

1.1 Apollo Bunder, South Mumbai

Figure. 1 Apollo Bunder, South Mumbai

Colaba, Apollo Bunder, South Mumbai, is a densely populated city on India’s west coast. It is a city heavily influenced by the western (as being controlled by the British once) in terms of its urban fabrics and built forms (blends Gothic, Victorian, Art Deco, Indo-Saracenic and contemporary architectural styles). South Mumbai is one of the most expensive and 6th largest city in the world with over 18 million population. The city has been known for its cosmopolitan nature, vibrancy and a lively spirit, which is a result of people from different backgrounds, religions and regions contributing towards its development. However, being an asian countries, there's a contradiction in between its built environments and human activities. (Mumbai residents celebrate Western and Indian celebrations and festivals). Urban sprawl and traffic congestion takes majority of characteristics of the built environment of the city. Within Apollo Bunder area, it's denoted with various landmarks, The Taj Mahal Palace, Gateway of India, Colaba Causeway Market, are huge tourist area where complex contact points take place. Apollo Bunder also caters high density of tourists. The boundaries studied on project 1 features various landmarks and nodes taken place within the figure ground diagram (Figure 2)

regal cinema causeway colaba market gateway of India

Figure. 2 Figure Ground of Appolo Bunder

1.2 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur

Figure. 3 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman

Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman is a street located at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a tropical country. The site is known for its "Textile Galore" characteristics and previously being the main street in Kuala Lumpur at one time. It was once a night market area in the 1970s but was moved to Lorong TAR due to traffic congestion. It was originally known as Batu Road, so named because it began as a track leading to Batu village, limestone caves and tin mines. Like a magnet, Jalan TAR attracted businesses with shops and restaurants selling all kinds of things from shoes and clothes to watches and souvenirs. It is also the city's longest road with shops set up in prewar buildings along both sides. The intensity remains still with markets (Lorong TAR, Jalan Masjid India) happening. Activities within the site are majorly due to the presence of the markets nearby that brings in human flow. (Namely Lorong TAR Market, Jalan Masjid India).

The research on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia is extended to Lorong TAR to further defining the set of contacts points within this hierarchical area. The boundaries set can be observed on the diagrams shown on Figure 2 and Figure 4.

Jalan TAR Lorong TAR

Figure. 4 Figure Ground of Jalan TAR and surrounding

2.0 Comparative analysis 2.1 Urban forms and human social context Urban forms Although two cities studied are being asian cities, however the historical influence to the town resulting in different built forms and arrangement of different scales.

Figure. 5 Figure Ground of Appolo Bunder

The built form and arrangement of Apollo Bunder is greatly influence by the western culture as being dictated by the British in the 18th centuries before reclamation. The figure ground of Apollo Bunder, India can therefore seen of having an organized rectilinear arrangement of street row, with a minimum grained pattern. (Figure. 5)

Figure. 6 Figure Ground of Jalan TAR area

However, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman had a different form of arrangement as observed from the figure ground. (linear, point form). In a sense, it's a deformed grid that is due to the development and topography. The form of the arrangement is defined by the main road, Jalan TAR, Lorong TAR & Jalan Raja Laut which are all linked with alleys which act as a breaking point of the linear form. In results with the permeability of human flow within the study boundary. (Figure. 4). With the defining properties of the street, contact point are therefore happens along the linear street and alleys.

Social Context – Shaded Walkway

Figure. 7 five foot walkway at Jalan TAR

Figure. 8 Shaded walkway of CCM

Although there's dissimilarities in urban patterns, however in a micro scale, both are presented with shaded walkway under the shop lots which is largely influenced and visible in Asian cities primarily to shade from sun. The five foot-walkway is a shaded walkway presented in Jalan TAR (Figure. 7) which act as a primary circulation where contact happening within it and same goes to the shaded walkway in Colaba Causeway Market (Figure. 8).

The social pattern and contact point goes in linear pattern.

Lorong TAR

shahid bhagat singh rd

Jalan TAR

Figure. 10 Figure Ground of Jalan TAR & Lorong TAR

Figure.11 wide walkway beside 5 ft walkway

Figure. 9 Figure Ground of CCM

Figure.12 Usage of public realm

Figure. 13 shading from direct sun

In Jan Gehl's urban theories, it's stated that the social pattern, activities is highly correlated and influenced by the quality of outdoor spaces. In evidence, both citites's street has a similar feature – shaded walkway. It provides sufficient shade with response to tropical climates of Malaysia and India which also act as a buffer zone to stay from the vehicular traffics. However, a slight difference in social context can be identified. An extra paved walkway (Figure. 11) is presented right beside the five-foot walkway at Jalan TAR, which resulted in a larger walkability that tend to limit contact when pedestrian flow is low (Fig. 11). However, contact intensity high during optimum condition with great usage of public realm. (Fig. 12) In contrary, a wider shaded walkway as it enhances the intimacy of spaces but without any buffer that is existed in Colaba Causeway Market (Tourist spot) where it caters constant amount of people with contact being encouraged and trade activities are happening within, in results also blurring indoor and outdoor.

Visual Obstruction of shaded walkway

Figure. 15 visual continuity at Jalan TAR

Figure. 14 visual obstruction at Causeway Colaba Market

With the presence of shaded walkway, it prompts the user to walk within it especially in the tropical country. In Colaba Causeway Market, no buffering zone is provided next to the shaded walkway, therefore visual connectivity is obstructed with one under the shaded walkway. (Fig. 14) It encourages one to move instead of stopping as there are no visual attraction from the street levels. However, the main attraction of Colaba Causeay Market is the sense of market activity. In contrary, Jalan TAR, where buffer zones are presented (Fig. 15), it allows the pedestrian to stop by and look over the façade under optimum condition. (eg. Good weather)

2.2 Human Activities, Contact Points & intensity In Jan Gehl’s urban theories, it’s stated that activity is a medium for contact. There are three types of outdoor activities (necessary, optional and social) as stated in Gehl's theories. Human activities are driven by interaction of varying degrees of intensity and they can be understanding as a contact points. Contact point is a point where activities happen whereby both cities have different layout of contact point due to urban patterns & outdoor condition.

Activities driven contact Jan Gehl's theory mention that people are naturally attracted by happening activities as people and activity are the greatest object of attention and interest. The established activities in Colaba Causeway Market and Lorong TAR is the prime example of the similarities. The constant human flow of both markets resulted in various intensity of contact and engagement.

Figure. 16 Causeway Colaba Market

Figure. 17 Lorong TAR market

Colaba Causeway Market is an example that illustrate how contact points are formed with the presence of activities. With Colaba Causeway Market being a tourist spot, the high pedestrian flow is largely due to the market properties. Activities are happening with the engagement of both local and tourist therefore in resulted in contact points of varying intensity.

It's also evident at Lorong TAR, where markets are happening with daily basis, will tend to create series of contact points where engagement of locals and tourist is constant. The activities consist of necessary, optional therefore social which can be seen when relationship between each individual is developed. These contact points are often developed through closer relationship between people rather than the merchandise sold at certain stall.

In Jalan TAR, however has lesser occurrence of activities and contact points, due to the necessary activities happening where there were mostly textile shops which will only attracts certain group of people, but human flow still occurs as the site being permeable with alleys.

Similarities of both markets will be the presence of established market activities, setting up of stall being necessary activities, optional being the decision on the visitors, social is developed with the relationship between the shop owners and the visitors. Optional activities is also largely influenced by the outdoor condition which will be discussed below.

Outdoor Condition As stated in Jan Gehl's theories, high quality outdoor space tends to influence the duration of time people spent outdoors. The quality of an outdoor spaces can be differentiated with variety range which encourages activities to happen where some happens to be landmarks, green spaces, playground or even a waiting area. Outdoor condition (such as weather) also play a role in defining the occurrence of activities.

Figure. 18 Gateway of India

Gateway of India (Wellington Pier) is a great example where it provides a large space in front of the monument, a large green space with seating, a seating area around the monument to view to the monument or the Arabian sea, a waiting port area in results to a place where series of conditions are risen and provided the occurrence of different contact points and intensity. As for Colaba Causeway Market, shaded walkway along the long street has provide a good condition by shading the user from the bright sun or precipitation and therefore activities still occurs although visual continuity is being obstructed.

Figure. 19 unintentional seating in front of Gateway of india

Figure. 20 seating around Gatewat of India.

The outdoor quality presented in Jalan TAR are not working effectively despite having public realm provided, no shading is provided on the large open space with high traffic noises which leaves minimum occurrence of activities especially under hot bright sun. Therefore, under poor condition, the optimum usage of the five-foot walkway will result in higher chance in contact with the narrowness of the walkway and the presence of trading activity.

Figure. 21 No covering is provided at Lorong TAR

However, Lorong TAR prompted the happening of activities with the market characteristics but will also subject to the weather condition as it is an open street without roofing. (Fig. 21)

Figure. 22 The public square beside Coliseum Theather

An open space beside Coliseum Theater at Jalan TAR is an example where contact points doesn't occur even with the presence of large open space which is largely due to the built environments (weather condition) of the space designated (lack of shading). (Fig. 22)

Optional activity due to weather condition As both site being tropical countries, it's notable and observed from both site having a similarity where contact point happens to occur at ---- shaded space with seating.

Figure. 23 unintentional seating under shaded area with activities happening

When the condition is optimum (when sunlight is bright), It's observed that in Jalan TAR, the lack of shaded seating will result in unintentional seating (staircases) under shaded area therefore resulted in chance contacts where people gather to be shaded under the hot sun (Fig. 23). The huge staircase-seating under SOGO with shading by trees along the walkway tend to attract crowds and therefore enhance outdoor activities (necessary, optional) to happen. (Fig. 24) Therefore, the staircase-seating can be acted as a temporal space for activities.

Figure. 24 unintentional seating under shaded area with activities happening

However, Gateway of India does not have a shaded seating area, but seatings are provided along the site in which under optimum condition (activities, good weather), the seating will put into good use where contact and temporal activities can happen. As for Regal Cinema, the seating area not only provide contact activities, it is also a a place to stay away from bad weather as unintentional seating is presented and therefore increase the passive and chance contact. (Fig. 25)

Figure. 25 Regal Cineam with unintentional seating

2.3 Cultural Context Cultural context looks at the society the characters live in and at how their culture can affect their behavior and their opportunities. It's evident that market serves as an important driver of high intensity contact point to happen as discussed from the comparative point above.

Figure. 26 market location in Apollo Bunder

Figure. 27 market location in Jalan TAR area

Within the area of Apollo Bunder, various markets (Colaba Market, Colaba Causeway Market) are happening which serves as a place making factors (Fig. 26) whereas in Jalan TAR, Kuala Lumpur, Lorong TAR Market & Jalan Masjid India (Little India) (Fig. 27) are the markets that brings in the high-volume pedestrian flow. They serve the same role and portrayed the same cultural context. High pedestrian flow can be observed from the markets happening in both place that are being studied. Therefore Jalan TAR is in a passive position where the flow of pedestrian is lured by the nearby happening Lorong TAR.

Figure. 28 vehicle pathway dominated by pedestrian

Figure. 29 vehicle pathway dominated by pedestrian

It can also be identified that pedestrian on the market street had a more dominant role in terms of usage of the street than the other accessing vehicles. Vehicles are still accessible within the street, but however it can be seen that the whole street is being dominated by the pedestrian. (Fig. 28 & 29) Both Lorong TAR and Colaba Market portrayed the same activities pattern within the street with street vendors occupied along the site. Therefore, the daily occurrence of the street lead to the three activities (optional, necessary and social) stated in Gehl's theories. The setup of marketplace is a necessary activity, the customers comes for shopping is an optional activity and social activity occurs as the contact intensity developed with the frequent meeting between traders and customers.

3.0 Conclusion In conclusion, of all the factors stated through comparative analysis of two street under two cities has reinforced the theories of Gehl. Where the activities and contact points are stated and identified in both site. It is also proven that behavioral activities of the human influences and are also being shaped and influenced by the built environment, social and cultural context which is studied and analyzed above.

Despite the difference between two countries, the contact point that occur are more or less the same.

The spontaneous market activities of both site will serve as a node in which they are no longer negligible, and in another way representing the idea of public space of Gehl's. Both cities have similar qualities where the fundamental of the factors of both cities are the same with same working basis, the difference lies in the way of representing it.

4.0 Referrences Gehl, J., & Gemzøe, L. (2004). Public spaces - public life. Copenhagen: Danish Architektural Press.

Gehl, J. (2011). Life between buildings: using public space. Washington, DC: Island Press.

Chew, E. A. (2003). Urban conservation of Kuala Lumpur: a case study on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (South section). Skudai: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Harvey M. Rubenstein 1992. Pedestrian Malls, Streetscapes, and Urban Spaces.WILEY Publishers Ismaeil, M. A., & Mohd, A. R., Yunus. (2015, December). Pedestrian System of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Retrieved June, 28, from https://www.ijirset.com/upload/2015/december/84_PEDESTRIAN__F.pdf

3,4,5

(Part B)

Final

Grade

Marking Criteria

Case Study

A-4 Presentation

Theories of Architecture and Urbanism (ARC61303) March 2017

Referencing and Research Skills

Use of diagrams, illustrations, sketches and images to aide analysis/text.

Illustrated Diagrams/ Comparative Analysis

context.

Critical analysis of architecture and urban forms within its social, cultural and intellectual

Essay /Comparative Analysis

LO

ID No:

Score

C+

D

B+

B

B-

60-74

18-19

18-19

35-39

Assessors Name: Mun Inn, Emma

D+

C

D-

F

50-59

40-49

0-39

/100

13-17

13-17

25-34

10-12

10-12

20-24

0-9

0-9

0-19

F AILIED

/25

/25

/50

Nicholas Ng (nicholasngkw@gmail.com)

A

A-

75-100

20-25

20-25

40-50

Signature:

Lecturers: Prince Favis Isip (princefavis.isip@taylors.edu.my)

POOR

Project

Student’s Name:

SATISFACTORY

40% of

GOOD

Project (Part 2): COMPARATIVE ANAYSIS ASSESSMENT RUBRIC (Group)

EXCELLENT

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM_ARC 61303

VERYGOOD

Final Grade

COMMENTS

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