ABSTRACT
“Hybrid Pedestrian Network”, is a study conducted on various components of pedestrian walkway for the purpose of understanding and interpreting the significant fundamental elements such as monumental connectivity, public realm, streetscape, territorial interaction, programs and activities in a city. With a contemporary and advance capability approaches in an urban environment, the potential for a place to grow and transform into more dynamic and active is crucial. Currently, the sensitivity research towards build form and human presence, combined with the promotion of activities and interaction is very narrow, whic leads to a static discourse. To produce result with substance, research questions and issues should be included, - such as “how these forces lead to the creation of its special atmosphere and identity” or “how exactly the pedestrian network influences the place with its hybrid quality”. This research targets on the pedestrian walkways elements of Bintang Walk that inter-connect its properties to the emerging of its Hybrid Pedestrian Network and how the variety of people are being approached in their everyday life. The current condition of the existing Bintang Walk consists of ups and downs, which are both grant accomplishment to its own purpose. To conclude the research, suggestion and guideline was imposed to promote solutions to surrounding atmosphere of the streetscape. Exploration and analytical study on every aspects that initiate Bintang Walk’s pedestrian network could be a catalyst to animate and map a guideline in formation of a new city in the future.
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CONTENTS
Chapter 01 INTRODUCTION 01 What is the Problem Statement? 02 What is the Purpose of the Study? 03 What is the Aim and Objective of the Study?
Chapter 02 LITERATURE REVIEW 01 Introduction 02 Prominent Aspects of a Hybrid Pedestrian Network Urban Programmes Unification Communal Condition Accommodation and Residential Programme 03 Summary
Chapter 03 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 01 The Site of the Case Study 02 Limitation of the Study 03 Research Methodology 04 Data Analysis
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Chapter 04 DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS 01 The Story of Bintang Walk, Kuala Lumpur 02 Interconnected Accessibility 03 Urban Programmes Unification Big Names Attract People, People Attract Big Names Common Areas and Intermediate Hotspots Letting Everything Connected to Everything Else 04 Communal Condition, Socio-Economics Street Buskers and Vendors The Broken Social Scene New Culture, New Space, New Life 05 The Environmental Surprise Thermal Comfort People Are Afraid of the Dark 06 Facilities In Its Place Businesses and Job Opportunities It’s Usually Housing, Accommodations
Chapter 05 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 01 Conclusion 02 Recommendation
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CHAPTER 01
INTRODUCTION
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Hybrids, or usually known as multi-use or multi-purpose, arises in the late 19th century. The history hybrids in city scale begins when a city has started to face the overlapping of function at one time. According to Manuel Gausa (2008), from the book entitled The Metapolis Dictionary of Advanced Architecture, the term ‘Hybrid’ refers to a “situation of cohabitation made up of bits of information at once overlapping and interconnected”. Consider Hybrids as the evolution of the idea of mixing different things, and the result, having something that has a little bit of each. It evolves with the rise of land value, the increasing number of population and also the inflexibility of the built surroundings. The “Hybrid Pedestrian Network” is simply describing the transformation of a pedestrian walkway through urban design, involving various elements that influenced this major change, such as building and road connections, circulations, programmes, economics, daily-basis activities, - all to improve the system efficiency, improve the quality of lifestyle while minimizing the impact to the environment.
In the previous studies from Southworth (2005), he claimed that walkability is a crucial for a formation of a sustainable city. He also expressed how the surrounding condition of a city is influenced by the public or pedestrian movement and circulation with the integration of walkable, and safe pedestrian routes. It is moreover supported in a research done by Brown, Werner et al. (2007), claiming that the integration of walkable features in the city will develop interest of pedestrian to the area, at the same time improving walkable ability and also safety of the pedestrian. Consequently, the pedestrian and the built environment developed a symbiotic relationship over time, benefiting each other. Pedestrian friendly city encourage more people to walk on the streets, making the city more
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sustainable and livable. The creation of a city is like the science of happiness. It is a social process that involves bits and pieces of component, contributing to the success of a city. Get the walkability in the city right and the rest will follow. This is how I understand a hybrid pedestrian network from a writings done by (Fernandez, Mozas et al. 2011), a dynamic cityscape ought to consider all possibilities for the ease of pedestrian pathfinding and circulation around the city, such the integration of green areas, open public spaces or plazas, and also the mixture of programmes happening around the city (being hybrid).
This incorporates the correlation in both social and physical components, of how individuals utilize, make and socialize in the city. Similar to some other Asian cities, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a progressing city as it undergoes rapid changes, reestablishments and urban renewals over time. This city is very wellknown among locals, and tourists too, where particular hotspots become famous and offer opportunities for street and outdoor activities. Seeing the hype and dynamic cityscape with overlapping programs and activities happening in the downtown of Kuala Lumpur, this forged the idea to conduct further observations and studies, in particular within the stretch of Bintang Walk.
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01 WHAT IS THE PROBLEM STATEMENT? Looking at relatable researches from the past, many agreed (with supported evidences) that inapropos and unfitting qualities of a pedestrian walkway would have significant effects on the pedestrian’s behaviour. This may cause unexpected responses and activities, of which would eventually reflect to the image of the city. But how exactly the pedestrian network affects the atmosphere of the city with its hybrid quality?
02 AND WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY? How purpose of the study is to understand the hybrid pedestrian network in Bintang Walk in depth, as it serves the idea of successful streetscape that may influence future urban planning or improving the existing city plan. The findings would include results of various perspectives, - from both positive and negative impacts. Without a doubt, integrating the elements from the findings into a new city plan isn’t as easy as it sounds, however with the knowledge, we have a better chance to take pleasure in the urban environment if we appreciate its parts.
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03 AND WHAT IS AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY? The aim of this research is to address better understanding of the qualities and forces that shape the hybrid pedestrian network of Bintang Walk, Kuala Lumpur and how these forces lead to the creation of its special atmosphere, thus creating its own identity for having such qualities.
Coincide to the stated aim, the objectives of the study is to follow and trace the activities happening along the Bintang Walk pedestrian network, as understood that the evolution of activities are the main catalyst of a hybrid space. It is fairly important to be able to elaborate the characteristics of pedestrians and their behaviour and explore how the significance program of the site is being approach by the different group of people in the area that consist of every walk of life.
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CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
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01 INTRODUCTION Combine, mix, multiply and addition does not enough to define hybrid. Steven Holl said that “hybrid are characterised by a mix uses in the same project or development� - This is Hybrid by Fernandez, Mozas et al. (2011). Hybrid interconnect, integrate and intersect with various of programs of different administration, different developers and different users as well. To make it simple, a diversity of a city in users, use times and program is what defines hybrid.
Pedestrian can be define as a person walking on foot rather than traveling in a vehicle or a person who was equipped with wheelchair (disable) or revolving runners. It is a typology of people walking, running, skateboarding or rollerblading, a person using a wheelchair, cetera.
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The hybrid aspect – mainly focusing on is the unification and layering of programs and activities that existed along the pedestrian routes. When a city stretch and can no longer contain the population ratio, it became contested and the emerging of new challenge to preserve the liveliness of a city. The intersection of various programs in the context will create an overlapping of functions along the route and the program will act as a catalyst to various programmes.
The idyllic hybrid pedestrian network generally has always lead to an urban environment where the public and private realm co-exist. The urban environmental atmosphere makes the place more alive and allowing itself to be breathe with life, extending the timeline and making the public spaces accessible twenty-four hours daily. According to Parks and Schofer (2006), the design and planning of the accessibility network helps to control and improve the capability and accessibility of pedestrians in finding way to desired destinations in mind. It includes the design of built environment, the planning of the city, - as a whole. Apart from that, considering the positive impacts, it is an opportunity for urban interaction and socialization in the city. However, the accessibility network should also consider all many aspects of a successful city, such as the correlation with surrounding facilities, the safety of pedestrians, the ease of movement (comfort) and also efficient connectivity. (Ujang, Salim et al. 2012)
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For a city to be effective and dynamic, it is crucial for us to determine these unique elements and used them as prototype in cityscape planning. An exceptional composition of city surface fabric does not only animate the city livability, but also a repertoire to virtue of life, improvement in efficiency framework and decrease the environmental concussion.
02 PROMINENT ASPECTS OF A HYBRID PEDESTRIAN NETWORK
… Urban Programmes Unification “In an urban context, the street connectivity plays a vital role in the following program of the context” - Handy, Boarnet et al. (2002) Who defined a city that ease of pedestrian to travel from a place to another with juxtaposed of accuracy & legibility of route. An excellent city is a city with good connectivity’ in terms of walkability; to other means of public transportation or other place of interest and landmarks. This framework of connectivity should undoubtedly to be considered on urbanscape planning practice. Street intersection is where the highest concentration of pedestrian can be found in a city. This explains that “The grid or pattern of a city, shapes the pattern of pedestrian movement directly through its sidewalks” (Christopher 1977). Sidewalks is a catalyst of social interaction and activities such as meeting area, cycling and jogging route, rest & recovery area and even
a dining & refreshment place as seen in Fig. 2.2a. Without these
supplementary functions, sidewalks would definitely carry no pedestrian.
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Fig. 2.2a: Various of movement and activities of the pedestrian by the sidewalks in Madison Square, New York.
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Beside street intersection, the surrounding programs become another catalyst that could generate hypothetical connectivity for pedestrian in a city. Interaction in between any two or more contrasting images or places will always appear either movement through on everyday basis or as natural desire even off sidewalks. Everywhere in the world, a single landmark apparently will not be attractive. “Any streetscape or structure requires recognition, so that it is identified, known or popular in such a way that it is being familiar by any succession of detail� (Lynch 1960). It is further concluded and supported by an analytical study organise in New York district of Soho, by Mikoleit and Purckhauer (2011), on how influential and prominent stores, became a monument and attraction of the place. All recognised store who has achieve to dominate and invite population into an anonymous area had develop neighbourhood as shown in Fig. 2.2b. These brands act as an effective & seductive strength to influence a society into creating an urban neighbourhood where a population density started to grow further over various circumstances.
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Fig. 2.2b: How brands created imaginary paths for pedestrians
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Fig. 2.2c: New York’s timeline of shopping district facade since 1960’s till present.
In Fig. 2.2c, a variety of demands will expand the figure of pedestrian and the population ratio of the neighbourhood will increase over a period of time. People will gather and the streetscape will be flooded with hungry people, street merchant and other civil and social activities, engaging more suppliers in the contemporary hotspot, the neighbourhood, and transformed into a commercial district gradually. The place will become an economic business diversity area when all the branded labels lure a large quantity of users and continue to serve the city.
“ What attracts people most, it would appear, is other people ” (William H. Whyte, The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces)
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The statement by William (2011) obviously explains that a large number of people gather will fascinate more people to join in (as shown in Fig. 2.2d and Fig. 2.2e). A self-organising cycle seems to render attractions and activities in the city, thus creating a hybrid network of pedestrian walkways.
Fig. 2.2d: Conceptual illustration on how a large number of people can interest and fascinates others.
Fig. 2.2e: Conceptual illustration of public realm, square and plazas offers an interactive connection for people.
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It is easy to find people mingle by the street which can balance the contrast among the surface of pedestrian in a city. Fig. 2.2f and Fig. 2.2g - shows the movement of people to get from one place to another with various of behaviour. Some of them walk normally and some people walk with a minimum gesture and speed. There are people who eventually stop to take a break, communicate, socialising, smoking, waiting, watching a street performance and even doing nothing. Stopping in the middle of the street will create a pedestrian congestion at some hotspots that will disturb the pedestrian flow. Congested sidewalks will influence the behaviour of passersby that need extra zonal area to move at some point. Therefore, public plaza and squares at the hotspots are the result of people’s behaviour at the middle of a public life in the locality. These public realm or plaza emerged out of formality planned spaces that can be known and understood in a sense of social area. It offers the user a decent and satisfying stay, in addition to their access role. In association to these development, the zone became more liveable thus develop a new character that gives the advantage to the society and surrounding urban programs.
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Fig. 2.2f: Pedestrian stop and socialising with other people dog
Fig. 2.2g: Conversations among neighbors, casually, at the sidewalk
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Besides that, thermal comfort are one of the factors that affect the pedestrian movement and activities of the surrounding places. “Thermal comfort” was defined as a state of satisfaction and relaxation of human body (psychological impact) towards the environmental climate and surrounding conditions. The quality and nature of space have been enhance to ensure the liveability of the urban centre. Green areas or screened areas (shaded by trees, street furniture or buildings) at the walkways are the most prominent factors that affect the thermal comfort. It is essential to acknowledge every corner of the city centre to be reinforce with greenery, which means integrating natural elements within the interior of a city. “The outdoor green areas are crucial for community’s well-being, as in this case, the users of the outdoor sidewalks and plazas.” - Nasir, Ahmad et al. (2012). Furthermore, greenery effort is also an initiative to diminish pollution and invent more satisfying and healthy surrounding for pedestrians.
However, in different places, thermal comfort can differ from place to place subject on its approach. It is built-upon the environmental climate of a city. Not all pedestrians would choose to walk beneath the shades by trees. For example, an analytical study and observation done by Mikoleit and Purckhauer (2011), concluded that “people of New York neighbourhood passionately enjoy making their way across sunny sidewalks”, as shown in Figure 1.05. A cold place through out the year such as New York is comfortable to walk under the sunlight and shaded area as well. People in New York sometimes like to walk under the sunlight and sometime under shaded areas from buildings and trees to achieve the thermal comfort of their body. No matter how the heat and shadow would affect the
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pedestrian, this application probably inflate the fertility of the people and upgrade the potential of attraction and activities during the entire day.
Fig. 2.2h: Pedestrians passionately enjoy walking under the sunlight
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Another important aspect that relate with the connectivity of the city is active transportation. Transportation that include cars, buses, trains, bicycle and etc are the modes of travel and a major features that could have direct or indirectly ease the travel of pedestrian from a place to another. A freedom to increase pedestrian accessibility in an effective pedestrian cities is an advantage in an economical sector. “It is undeniable that public transport plays a vital role to cater pedestrians and at the same time, ensuring less congestion and pollution. As it provide safe and efficient journey to the passenger, it gained the benefits such as customer loyalty, environmental friendly and user’s satisfaction.� - Sham, Samsudin et al. (2013). Public transit service expand and connect with other places throughout the city while the figure of pedestrians inflate. Studies of particular transportation solutions could be conducted and practice as a factor that include commitment and the repetitions of activities happening around the city.
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Fig. 2.2i: Pedestrian queuing to board a crosstown bus
Fig. 2.2j: New York City flooded with yellow cab
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‌ Communal Conditions
Fig. 2.3a: Street vendor stand independently by the sidewalk
Fig. 2.3b: Street vendors promoting art and design portraits
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As above mentioned, people’s attitude depends on other people behaviour. In an urban context, it will provoke a new expectations that rejuvenate some people’s perspective that pedestrian that passed by are the future potential shoppers and buyers. Marketing sector will instantly realise this event to announce and display advertisement to attract pedestrians, Fig. 2.3a and Fig. 2.3b. For example, in New York, a hot dog vendors is visible in every corner of the streets. Fast food vendors will strategically establish an efficient and suitable spots, and positioned themselves where there is high pedestrian flow along with other competitors, to increase the probability of profit income. In New York, a sidewalk without a hot dog vendors is something strange. Aside of food, the street performer also, grab the opportunity to do their performance to the public thus render a lively city environment. Fig. 2.3c and Fig. 2.3d. However, it is consider illegal to advertise such activity without any approval. They are not welcome to perform or doing business as they are considered interrupting and disturb the pedestrian flow and existing business nearby. In contrast, without street performers and vendors a city would not be lively and limited with activity.
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Fig. 2.3c: A street dancer animate the public at an open square
Fig. 2.3d: Street buskers at Soho neighborbood of NY
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With the increase figure of population in a city, it requires an improvement and enhancement to attract tourist into the place. The more variety of everyday growth foundation, the better improvement of the city liveability. It is an asset to tourist and immigrants to be able to complement the mixture of human activities of the city environment. These people will feel safe and begin to realise the opportunity to join into the business. In multi-national cities, it is quite fascinating to the locals to be introduced to another culture from different origins. Not only the locals, as the word fly, it will attracts more people and progress to provide the place as an economic business diversity. This is the catalyst of hybrid as the activities, culture and customs begin to fuse. Take the example of the China Town that exist in the early 1800s in various city all over United States such as Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City (Fig. 2.3e). China Town exist because of the immigrant or tourist began to fit in their culture into the existing conditions of the city.
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Fig. 2.3e: Chinatown in the city of NY
With the overlying of activities in a city, the development of pedestrian sidewalks will continue to evolve parallel from time to time. However, in the context “There is a high possibility for a small group of individuals start to take advantage on the dense pedestrians.� - Lepore (2012). Lapore stressed that pedestrian will involve and experience a cynical attitude in a highly populated place. They will become physically unhappy, afraid, concern, stress and sometimes, this affection will led to negative social action and feedback. It is like a drama in an urban centre. People stop and scanning for a potential prey to attack. Gangsters, pick pockets, prostitutes, drug dealers, beggars and some others, is visible around the sidewalks that will make visitors security and safety of the surrounding drops. People unconsciously became more protective of themselves as the pleasant facade of the sidewalks mutated into a mysterious environment.
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‌ Accommodation and Residential Programme
Accommodation, hotel, apartment and service residence in one of the substantial element as a city progress further. With ease of public transportation, it is an advantage or people and visitor to navigate around and throughout the district when staying in the city. The stations around is connected to various destination even to a sub-urban area. Urban pedestrian activity operating all day and night with a dense of pedestrian concentration. This is an opportunity for the landlord to start raising the rent and fee to make their own profit on top of well concentrated location. The rental and fee behave based on demands from the people to ensure the cohesion and stability continue to progress in serving the place in the future. Fig. 2.3f, Fig. 2.3g and Fig.2.3h is an evolution of Times Square in New York from 1880s till present.
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Fig. 2.3f: NY Time Square, 1880s
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Fig. 2.3g: NY Time Square, 1920s
Fig. 2.3h: NY Time Square, 1880s
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03 SUMMARY
Hybrid pedestrian network can be identify into a series of variable program in a multi-used urban fabric. Building design, urban programs, social behaviour and et cetera are the crucial characteristics that influence the exploration of factors affecting to the emerging of an active and interactive space in a city. By figuring out the contrast, variation and the difference elements that relate to the emerging of Hybrid Pedestrian Network rather than determine features of a walkable city. Therefore, analysing and produce a hypothesis of a hybrid definition elements that appear along the pedestrian network is the objective in order to regulate the factors involving Hybridity.
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CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
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01 THE SITE OF THE CASE STUDY
(Coordinate: 3.1466 N, 101.7111 E) Fig. 3.1: Boundary of the Study Area
The research is carried out in the city centre of Kuala Lumpur, a capital city of Malaysia. It is by far the first and foremost desirable city in the country for entertainment, businesses and also trades. The study area is focused more deeply into the developed stretch of street in the area, Bintang Walk, deliberately located close to a Monorail Station (overhead trainline), including the intersection of Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail. It covers the area of the famous Pavilion Shopping Centre, stretching all the way down to Jalan Pudu, with the estimated length of the study area - 725 metres. Having a dynamic cityscape with overlapping programs and activities happening along the street, it is assumed that Bintang Walk has the appropriateness to achieve the aims and objectives of the research.
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02 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY The study zone is restricted to be done only within the range of Bintang Walk, as the area itself has always been acknowledged of being an active urban environment and cityscape. The area has always been populated by urbanites, that consists of the locals, tourists and other group of people in everyday life. Instead of focusing on the walkable physical features for a walkable city, this study is limited to observing and discussing the features and components that contribute in the creation of a hybrid pedestrian network. In other words, this study is focusing on the juxtaposition of activities and programs that is happening along the pedestrian pathways – keeping in mind the end goal is to identify the factors contributing to the hybridity.
03 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The evaluation of the study for Hybrid Pedestrian Network in Bintang Walk is done by two primary qualitative methods: Literature Review and A Case Study. Referencing many trustworthy sources, the literature review summarizes constituent information gathered from primary sources such as factual account like books and also by referencing published results of research studies that has connections to the dissertation proposal. Other than that, it is also done by referencing from secondary sources such as journal articles and publications that could help to achieve the aim and objectives of this study.
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A case study is conducted in Bintang Walk, Kuala Lumpur, for the purpose of exploring and identifying the real-life scenario of a hybrid pedestrian network. It comprises of an early ethnographical and historical research of Kuala Lumpur city, in order to understand better how the city developed in the past years, and how the hybrid pedestrian network evolved over time. Further observations and evaluations were made, from all aspects such site location, daily activities, built environment, socio-economic activities and other urban programs related – focusing on how these factors or components lead to the creation of Bintang Walk’s special atmosphere. All data were collected via various method such as photograph, video recording, note-taking and random short conversation with the locals, with myself as the main observer. The data from the short interviews may not be welldocumented regarding privacy and safety issues. Data collected were broken down into empirical chapters and further explained with the help of visual diagrams and photographical timeline. Photographs and documentaries serve to position my research and support all claims made during the experiment.
04 DATA ANALYSIS All data were collected via the in-depth research of the site, analytical observations and visualization. In the next chapter, the section discussed the data in detail – analysing the ideal hybrid quality of pedestrian network, and what exactly influences the urbanites to be involved in such interactive environment of Bintang Walk. For the purpose of the study, variable of the study may include the observations of the events, activities and social-life that is happening concurrently
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along the street. All photographs and video documentations from the case study is analysed and developed into understandable visuals. Conceptual 3-dimensional diagrams is produced individually, in order to help defining data analysis and conclusions in the last 2 chapters.
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CHAPTER 4
DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
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01 THE STORY OF BINTANG WALK, KUALA LUMPUR
Bukit Bintang, has for quite some time been the most celebrated shopping and amusement heaven in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In this day and age, Bukit Bintang developed into a prominent Golden Triangle - a centre of business, trades and tourism, where various shopping centres, commercial hotels and districts are strategically located at. Back in the older days, a group of businessmen created an entertainment hub, the infamous Hollywood Park in Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia). Hollywood Park was later bought over by Shaw Brothers and redeveloped it to BB Park. Bukit Bintang is now further formalized in contrast with the past, as Bintang Walk, covering the area of the celebrated Pavilion Shopping Centre to Jalan Pudu.
“Bukit Bintang’s development has been meteoric. It has evolved from being the hub of entertainment in the 1950s and 1960s to a one-stop shopping cum accommodation centre to be reckoned with in the 1990s” -
“New Straits Times newspaper article, Wednesday, 13th March 1991”
In the late 50’s, the Federel Hotel was among the earliest hotel buildings, built specifically to house incoming VIP’s in Kuala Lumpur to rejoice Malaya’s first ever Merdeka Day (Malaya’s term of Independence Day). The most contemporary buildings before that era were just rows of 3-storey tall brick and wooden shophouses. Federel Hotel ruled as the most celebrated hotel building in the late 50’s to 70’s, introducing a revolving fancy cafés and eatery at the top floor.
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The view from the revolving cafés and restaurant was once overlooking fascinating trees and greens, however as of today, it is certainly overlooking tall skyscrapers in the surrounding and massive traffic stream.
The increasing popularity of mass media entertainment – TVs, Radios, has weakened BB Park’s fortunes, and causing this most celebrated entertainment hub to be shut down in the early 70’s. Nevertheless, the “death” of the park was the rebirth of the new Bukit Bintang. It was redeveloped into Sungai Wang plaza soon after, and completely redirect the circulation of the area. Subsequently, it has been urbanised into a designated commercial zone, to accommodate the growing number of shopping districts and commercial hotels in Kuala Lumpur. Earmarked by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur - City Hall, the target of the development is to make Bukit Bintang as one of East Asia’s shopping and entertainment heaven.
Since Sungai Wang Plaza’s commencement, the growth of Bukit Bintang has been breath-taking. The Mayor’s vision in creating a one-stop shopping and entertainment district for Bukit Bintang has turned out to be reality with the official grand launching of Lot 10 shopping mall in 1991, on the 13th of March. Since then, it encouraged a healthy competition among the retailers. Majority of the commercial and retail industry in the surrounding context started competing with each other, building and expanding their business, re-evaluating their merchandising concept, marketing strategy and also shopping experience. This, in return, surprisingly recovering the economic growth of Kuala Lumpur within 2 years. This rapid economic growth has developed interest of local and also foreign
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investors as they see potential in the progress. The Mayor’s vision in making KL city as the “Miss Asia of shopping centres” can possibly become reality if the Kuala Lumpur’s economic growth, remains.
Fig. 4.1 : The development of Bintang Walk, Kuala Lumpur over 60 years
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02 INTERCONNECTED ACCESSIBILITY
Looking in larger scale, a basic foundation of a city - is a systematic and integrated road networks. Accessibility is fairly important, and plays a crucial role in city urban planning, mainly focuses on easy permeability to transport people from one place to another. Within the study context, the road network and interconnected accessibility acts as a stepping stone in achieving greater Kuala Lumpur. A very carefully-planned city planning of Kuala Lumpur allows it to maintain the city life since its inception, and improving itself into an efficient and sustainable environment until today.
The study area, Bintang Walk itself, includes the intersection of main roads, Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail. Other secondary roads involved in the study, are Jalan Ampang and Jalan Pudu (Fig. 4.2a). In next paragraphs, these interconnected road networks will further be analysed, and explained on how these networks grew, over time, into an urban hotspot of Bintang Walk.
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Fig. 4.2a: Diagram showing the interconnected streets of Bukit Bintang
In the late 90’s, Pudu Raya Central was the one and only most adequate local bus station, strategically located in the center of Kuala Lumpur. Since its inception, Pudu Raya Central became the most efficient mode of transportation to travel locals and tourists from outskirt Kuala Lumpur, or from any place within the Peninsular Malaya to the capital city of Malaysia, where plenty of fascinating spots and attractions – Dataran Merdeka, Bukit Bintang, Chow Kit, Petaling Street, China Town and et cetera, are located. This scenario, invites more people travelling into Kuala Lumpur, and simultaneously increases the number of pedestrians in Bukit Bintang as Pudu Raya Central is situated on Jalan Pudu, connected to Jalan Bukit Bintang. The number of pedestrians wandering along these interconnected streets rose over time. Pedestrians are seen nominating hotspots in Bukit Bintang, until it could not bear any more increasing pedestrian density. As the area becomes denser than ever, it encountered a challenge to maintain the system efficiency, and the quality of lifestyle and urban environment.
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Fig. 4.2b: Pedestrian by the roadside of Bintang Walk
As people travel on foot in Bukit Bintang, the pedestrian circulation path outlines the pattern of the city. Wherever the streets or roads at connected, pedestrians are spotted wandering and travelling by its streets (Fig. 4.2b). The interconnected side-walks along Bintang Walk became the stepping stone for an open, social events for the urbanites. Urban activities took place around the walkways, involves people from different group of ages, cultures, ethnicities – they socially interacts, meeting up with friends, and et cetera. Without all these, walkways would be dead, and would convey no user.
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Fig. 4.2c: Diagram illustrating the cross-section of Bintang Walk
These interconnecting pedestrian links started to experience new activities by the urbanites, adapting itself to be multi-functional as possible - it doesn’t not only carry the function to accommodate pedestrians. The main purpose sidewalks became more and more differentiated over time, being used as such depends on diversity of usage in the surrounding context - simultaneously initiating other mode of commute and transportation system (detailed explainations in Chapter 04). This growing social process believed to be the main catalyst to all other possible urban programmes occuring along Bintang Walk.
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Fig. 4.3a: Unification of Urban Programmes within the stretch of Bintang Walk
03 URBAN PROGRAMMES UNIFICATION
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… Big Names Attract People, People Attract Big Names The increase in number of pedestrian that dominate Bukit Bintang’s sidewalks, expanding its urban cityscape, and provoking a whole new perspective that these urbanites aren’t just pedestrians but they are the potential shopper buyer or client in the retail industry. This triggers awareness among salespeople to take advantage of this scenario, taking the opportunity for advertising and merchandising along the high-densed streets. Since Sungai Wang’s inception, - in the late 70’s, it has been the only modern, one-stop shopping centre in Bukit Bintang. It developed a new image, rebranding the urban atmosphere in accordance with Malaysia uprising economy status at that moment.
Sungai Wang Plaza is assumed to be a middle-class shopping centre, and also a “bargain-hunters” heaven. If you are looking for bargains, this is the exact place to be. It did not took long for salespeople when they saw the opportunity to upgrade the shopping experience in Bukit Bintang, by the opening of the singlelabel retail, Parkson - a shopping retailing chain with departmental stores selling cosmetics, fragrance, women and men's fashion, toys, electrical appliances and household products. The pedestrian movement around the city changes slowly, creating imaginary axis and linkages towards the big brand store. In some way, attracting other brands and services such as Levi’s Jeans, Leather Avenue, Alpine Optics, Incanto Hair Gallery, together with all other 500 retailers, to be part of the shopping accommodation. The history of Sungai Wang Plaza proves how it influenced and developed Bukit Bintang into a colourful diversity of usage – being hybrid.
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Since then, Bukit Bintang has gone global. It became the most strategic and reasonable place fo Kuala Lumpur’s socio-ecomonic and business centre. The mushrooming retail district along Bukit Bintang formed its identity – a very well known hotspot for urban activities. This social process caused more and more shopping centres built in the area to house the increasing number of brands. For example, Lot10 - a five-storey mall located along Bintang Walk, was built just across the road from Sungai Wang Plaza, it houses a mixture of local boutiques and international brands. Lot10 sits at the intersection of Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail, strategically to invite the highest pedestrian density into the development. The integration of various brands and services along this popular street such as H & M, Tous Les Jous, Uniqlo, Vincci and McDonalds, has successfully reconstruct the shopping experience in Kuala Lumpur.
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Fig. 4.3b: Pedestrian entering a big brand retail via entrance that is strategically oriented along the sidewalk
Now and then, salespeople and retailers endeavor in improving and enhancing their marketing strategy, - storefront appearance, window display, business hours and et cetera, in order to compete and survive in the booming retail industry. Because of that, Bukit Bintang has shown itself to be commercially successful and profitable through the economic turnover, inviting more and more global brands to accommodate the area. Thanks to the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most high-end shopping mall, it can accommodate over 400 retail shops, including the booming street-front fashion flagship stores. Global brands like Louis Vuittion, Bell&Ross, Burberry, Mont Blanc and other worldclass restaurants and services like The Sloane Spa, Fitness Concept, Italiannies, and Tony Roma’s, are among all first-class brands that can afford the inflated rental price in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
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Fig 4.3c: Pedestrian orientations influenced by brand names
From the analysis of the study, we have known how one brand name attract people, and how people attract brand names. We must understand that the process happens continuously and simultaneously. Referring to Fig. 4.3c, the walking trend began well around the commercial districts in Bintang Walk, encouraged more walking activities since then. All of the shopping accommodation has proven to create imaginary axis and pedestrian linkages that eventually, influences the pattern of the city. All passerby contribute to the image of a lively urban realm.
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‌ Common Areas and Immediate Hotspots
In other words, pedestrian walkway become an intersection of human activities. The more diverse the basis of everyday life, the more scattered the individual activities over the course of a day. In the eye of the city planner, nothing can be better than having the sidewalks filled with stream of people. However, the densely packed sidewalks caused pedestrians to walk at slower speed, delaying bothersome, - some of the them are hurrying, while others walk slowly leading to spontaneous crowd formation. In Bintang Walk, the open areas at road intersections and building entrances seem to fix this imbalance. Pedestrians are observed to use these open spaces as a rebound to the congested sidewalk flow. They enjoy better quality of space for a moment to ease their stress, before resuming their journey towards their destination.
A public square, in common sense is an open space surrounding by buildings but always perceived as a centre to the public. At this particular open space, pedestrians are observed to break the imaginary pedestrian links, spreading around the square. They are seen walking at a slow pace, and some of them eventually stop. Their minds wander, staring at the surrounding, observing their environment. In such circumstances, this is where they fall into their everyday routines, unconsciously, like – locals light up cigarettes, tourists stop to take photographs, youngsters attempt to use cell phone (Fig. 4.3d). We have all seen it happen almost everywhere.
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Fig. 4.3d: Pedestrians stopping by at the open square, in front of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
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However, this change is not dramatic, - from the observation of urban life, pedestrians do not spend too much time longing on the open spaces. These areas aren’t their final destination, more like a fleeting point in the middle of their journey. Most of the time, pedestrians are observed to be just lost in their thoughts. The junction in front of Lot10 shopping mall (Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Bukit Bintang intersection), is observed to be a transitional and temporary meeting area. But what really makes the large open area lively is how it offers the opportunity for social interaction and activities among urbanites. Differ from the unplanned open square happening at the crossroads, the open plaza integrated at the entrance of the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur serves as a retreat for shoppers to escape the indoor environment (Refer to Fig. 4.3e). The plaza is designed to comfortably shade the users from the scorching sunshine while keeping it naturally ventilated and landscaped with greenery.
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Fig. 4.3e: The location of plazas and open squares in Bintang Walk
Concurrently, it is an advantage for city planners to improve the design of this potential empty hotspot in the city, - developing squares into better urban life cityscape. How much more? We don’t know. But we do know the livability of city lies in the urban environment. Streetfront shops stay open for night-time business, illuminating the street with their shop window lightings, room lightings and bright spot lights. City planners quickly recognized beneficial opportunity despite the unexpected development along the busy street. Many buildings that had once being pretty “dead� during the night, is refitted with street illuminations, creating more lively urban cityscape. Advertising billboards, street postlamps, brightly illuminated shops and advertisement posters now has changed the whole image of Bintang Walk, particularly at the interconnected street of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Bukit Bintang (Fig. 4.3f). Since then, the number of pedestrians in Bintang Walk increased rapidly, and has always been populated by urbanites, consist of the locals, tourists and other group of people in everyday life.
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Fig. 4.3f: Open plaza integrated with iconic and brightly lit digital sculpture
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‌ Letting everything connected to everything else
A much larger multiplier effect comes from the way the city evolved over time. In turns, even more life is breathed into these places. It’s the science of a citymaking. Perhaps we should not be so surprised of how the development of Bintang Walk eventually lead to overcrowding in the fabric of urban life. Overcrowding sometimes can be explained by a high pedestrian density along the sidewalks and squares, and simultaneously thickening the traffic flow of a locality. This evoke the city planner to solve or reduce the problem of congestion of the area. The only efficient way to reduce congestion in a developing city like Kuala Lumpur is by integrating smart transportation solution. It does not only reduce the complexity to travel people from one place to another, but also allows pedestrians to choose the easier and preferred way to commute. Without a doubt, it was one of the reason transportation system in Bukit Bintang evolved and spread to larger network, integration of public transit services.
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Fig. 4.3g: Go KL bus station, along Bintang Walk
With the integration of smart transportation networks, pedestrians are now able to commute in and out of the city easily. The exiting crowds are able to choose the preferable route to their destinations. As an example is by using public free shuttle buses – Go KL, “Go Kuala Lumpur” City Bus service. Within the stretch of Bintang Walk, the Go KL bus station was right in front of Starhill Gallery, opposing Pavilion Kuala Lumpur (Fig 4.3g). The bus connects locals and tourists from Bukit Bintang all the way to KL China-town, covering most of the major attractions in Kuala Lumpur, including the iconic Kuala Lumpur Tower and Central Market. But that’s just the beginning, the real problem with buses is not
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that they don’t get enough passengers to carry, it’s that they apparently become the main cause traffic congestion in Jalan Bukit Bintang. Interesting thing happened, it is observed that buses stop for passengers to board or alight in between the designated bus stops, interrupting the traffic flow and causes other vehicles to crawl at walking speed.
Fig. 4.3h: Taxis wait for clients
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It all adds up to a situation in which other transportation service like taxis is fairly convenient. This strange circumstances exists not because driving in traffic is more efficient, but how it offers opportunities for this group to earn a living. People wait for taxis, and taxis wait for people (Fig. 4.3h). In Bintang Walk, it is obvious that taxis are almost everywhere by the roadside, particularly nearby shopping malls like Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Fahrenheit 88. Some of them patiently queueing at the designated lane, and out of the requirement to queue, some taxis would illegally pick up whoever waved to them at random places (Fig. 4.3i). Taxi passengers cross streets recklessly, without paying enough attention to their own safety. In relation, these quick pick-up or drop actions in the middle of the road has always been a cause of aggression among all drivers. They become irritated as it thickens vehicular traffic. A lively city atmosphere can establish itself in the interspace among the busy streets. But without a doubt, the uproars and chaos on the street suddenly breaks out over absolutely nothing.
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Fig. 4.3i: Taxi pulling up client by the curbside
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Fig 4.3j: Bukit Bintang Monorail Station
When pedestrian density increases on Bintang Walk, more often, people choose the slower route via sidewalk, because of its atmospheric qualities. But it’s amazing how things turned out, how everything leads to more and more transportation network. Urban location is indeed one of the factors that contributing to the growing development. Realizing how massive traffic delays bothersome for people to travel around the city, - elevated rail transit lines are clearly the right solution. Kuala Lumpur Infrastructure Group has created “KL Monorail Line”, an elevated transit lines carrying passengers in a 20-minutes loops through all hotspots in Kuala Lumpur. These add an estimation of 50 percent less traffic problem, and pollution to the atmosphere too. Referring to Fig. 4.3j, Bukit Bintang Monorail
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Station is strategically located at the crossroad of the two main roads, - Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail. It connects to other shopping centres such as Times Square, Chow Kit, and other interchange stations. KL Monorail Line is also designed to adapt with future line expansion plans to all other parts of the city of Kuala Lumpur. The hybrid pedestrian network is already happening, as this nonintentional pedestrian lifestyle links back everything to Bintang Walk, with the supplementary addition of daily-basis programmes and activities happening in the cityscape – making the city more lively.
Fig. 4.3k: A view of the streetscape at the crossroads of Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail
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It is understood that Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur has integrated another future transit network due to its proximity. Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is an underground railway network, under construction. Believed to be completed by phase, Bukit Bintang MRT Station will be completed by July 2017 alongside with other stations in Kuala Lumpur. Continuing the pedestrian friendly concept, MRT stations are also integrated with pedestrian links, strategically connecting the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur, underground. Ultimately, this will change the image of the city into a greater place with systematic pedestrian and transportation network, - while making Kuala Lumpur a better business district and shoppers’ heaven.
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04 COMMUNAL CONDITION, SOCIO-ECONOMICS … Street buskers and Vendors
Fig. 4.4a :
A scene of both street performers and pedestrians at an open plaza
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What could be more boring than empty, quite sidewalks and squares? This imposed the idea that the spaces are more attractive when they invite a stay. Street musicians and performers are observed to populate the cityscape the most, - they dominate all possible empty spaces that have been already pulsating with urban life. Shamelessly taking control of the open plazas and squares, street performers used these spaces without needing to pay rents and taxes. They animate urban cityscape and entertain all pedestrians (Fig. 4.4a and Fig. 4.4b). Funny how it turns out that they are ones who are getting paid by the public in return. We have all seen it happen. They produce audience, and attract other group of people to join the scene, and unconsciously become participants in the process. Along the stretch of Bintang Walk, it is believed that street musicians and performers are a part of the city experience, and without these people, something is missing in the fabric of urban life.
Fig. 4.4b: Buskers by the sidewalk in Bukit Bintang
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As mentioned earlier, a lively streetscape includes a social process that involves bits and pieces of various components and programmes. With the presence of street performers along Bintang Walk, street-sellers see this as an opportunity. Expanding the energy by the concentrated nuclei of dense crowds, this is where street vendors come into existence. They are group of sellers that would open out their blanket or mobile stands in random places, put all of their goods (commonly imitations) all over it for display and sell. From the observation, the type of vendors varies from foods to gadgets. They are seen selling corns on the cob, ice cream, meat skewers, soft drinks, and other goods too, such as USB flash drives, perfumes, cheap jewelleries, children toys, fake watches – all scattered around the pedestrian walkways. It is believed that the number of street vendors increases every year. However, there are, as always, exceptions. Street vendors may not always appear to be as pleasant as it sounds like. For some reason, the denser and more diverse the street vendors along the pedestrian walkways, the more lively the streetscape of Bintang Walk.
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Fig. 4.4c:
A vendor set up small booth, selling foods in the middle of the pedestrian walkway
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Observing the chaotic streetscape of Bintang Walk, it would be hard to imagine a safer scene. First, there were glimpse of beggars seen at some dead corners of building blocks. Some would even go beyond, fearlessly sitting in the middle of massive human traffic flow on the pedestrian walkways, begging for mercy in hoping that they would get few cents from the passersby. These group of beggars appear to be street charity seekers. They live day to day, by the streets, homeless. Indeed, this isn’t a component that is expected would be included in an urban scene. They also turned what had once been a great urban asset, the public realm, into a little more than just pedestrian freeways, - precisely because this particular scene felt dangerous. At this point, this leaves city planners with dilemma regarding the impacts of the nocturnal streetscape.
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Fig. 4.4d: A beggar, in action
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‌ The Broken Social Scene In Bintang Walk, narrower lanes are not the only way to slow traffic down, but created the threshold from public into private realm. While street-front retails, vendors and charity-seekers are continuing to dominate the sidewalks of Bintang Walk, the other unforeseen urban activities come to life during the night. Places that seemed to be so lively and inviting in broad daylight may transform into curious and mysterious night activities.
We have already discussed how majority of pedestrians fleet or stopped by the sidewalk, intuitively take their cues from the busy pedestrian walkways. Realizing the needs for some retreats, Bintang Walk is now being integrated with reflexology, foot and body massage. The districts located at the very end of Jalan Bukit Bintang before reaching the intersection with Jalan Pudu are observed to be concentrated with this business type. For exactly that reason, the repetition of this business typology shows a surprisingly high demand of the service within the study area. During the night till early hours of the morning, many would be seen handing out flyers of massage promotions, hoping that pedestrian would be interested to spend at least 30 minutes to get their feet massaged.
But an interesting thing happened when I arrived in this particular hotspot during the night. What attracts people, is other people. Indeed, and a gathered mass of people arouses curiosity. I found myself and some other passersby were driven into the depths of the building block, revealing the outer skin of Kuala Lumpur’s
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night life. Reawakening at the sight and glimpse of massage parlors. In Malaysia, the establishments of a night life and massage parlors is not approved by the government. Populated the most by Muslims, it is believed that finding a place for pleasure purposes is not easy. It may seems easy to find night life activity in Bintang Walk, but however, to explore deeply the wilder side of Kuala Lumpur, a trusted local would be the best guide for the night.
There is no doubt that they’re smart. Running this kind of business in the city centre, they’re fast and organized. Referring to Fig. 4.4e, they are seen brave enough to wander around the sidewalks, approaching passersby, either selfpromoting themselves or promoting the available services. The place wouldn’t be too obvious, always the shady ones disguished as professional massage centres.
Indeed, this infamous city scene has developed its bad reputation among passersby, - leaving them with confusing and unpleasant feelings. The lesson from this experience is clear: While it is not appropriate everywhere, it has a lot to teach us as we work to improve our cities. However, it would be hard to imagine the cityscape without this scene. Consider the free publicity these scenes bring to the place. Contrary to perceptions, they has successfully establish Bintang Walk and reflect it as a lively city, - with a lively character.
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Fig. 4.4e:
The midnight scene of massage parlours at work
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… New Culture, New Space, New Life Kuala Lumpur has long been known as a developing and foremost desirable city in the country for entertainment, and businesses too. Given the city’s convenience and the continually developing urban programmes, the number of visitors has been huge, - locals, and foreigners. Remarkably, over years. With the evidence from Malaysian Board of Tourism, roughly 150 thousand tourists from the Middle Eastern were recorded visiting Malaysia within the early 2000s. The booming numbers of Arabians visiting the city of Kuala Lumpur has been meteoric. From the evidence, statistically, it is notably obvious that the number of Arabians visitors is the highest within the month of July - September. What does this have to do with the period? The relevant fact here is the difference of temperatures in Asia and Middle East. The temperature in Middle East in the summer (July to September) can rise above 46°C - 49°C, - an acceptable reason for them to escape the hot weather.
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Fig. 4.4f:
The stretch of Bintang Walk dominated by Arabian street-fronts restaurants and landscapes
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Malaysia, is indeed a diverse and multi-racial country but has the highest percentage of Muslims, - most professed religion is Islam. As much sense as it makes logically, Arabian Gulf and Malaysians shares the same religion and most of Islamic cultures. The plan that emerge from this coincidence is surprisingly productive. The urban streetscape was perfect, and has developed interest of local and also foreign investors as they believed this particular stretch of Bintang Walk has proven to be profitable enough. Did all those people migrated to Kuala Lumpur because of desirable weather only? Clearly not. It only takes some time to create a reputation, notably by bringing in Middle Eastern’s fresh, wholesome, rich and aromatic cuisine into the city.
Outdoor dining and sidewalk adorations are perhaps the most impactful contribution to the streetscape (Fig. 4.4f). Over time, the sidewalk of Bukit Bintang is developed and landscaped very beautifully with their prominent ambient, Alfresco dining, Morrocan colourful tiles, Sheesha, Arabic musics, and et cetera. This is precisely the scenario in Bintang Walk, where the significant Arabian ambient has attracted more and more visitor from the Arabian Gulf into the city. The result was wonderful. It didn’t only invite more Arabian tourists, but locals from different races too. Arabian culture sharing and exchange occurred simultaneously among urbanites in Kuala Lumpur, making the city more diverse and lively.
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05 THE ENVIRONMENTAL SURPRISE ‌ Thermal Comfort
Being categorised as an equatorial climate, Malaysia has a hot and humid weather throughout the year. It is almost impossible to find people standing in the sun, with the scorching heat of approximately 27°C daily. Different from other cities in colder region, such as New York, Tokyo, America, - pedestrians of Bintang Walk are accustomed to walk under shades. This is an obvious example of what can be a much subtler situation. This unconscious movement produces an imaginary paths in which pedestrians walk following shaded areas, neglecting the designated pedestrian walkways. They walk under ongoing movement of building shadows, no matter how narrow or short the shades would be (Fig. 4.5a). This routine has long become a decisive advantage for urban planner to improve the city planning. Even more surprising is how they would stroll under the sparse tree canopies.
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Fig. 4.5a: Pedestrian stroll under building shadows
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Trees, in addition to offering shades, they reduce scorching temperatures during the day, in hot weather. As an example, the green landscape along the square near Jalan Bukit Bintang is integrated together with the hardscape to reduce the concrete surface heating. Rainwater that is absorbed, or the moist from the soil and became a minor cooling element of the plaza. We already know that trees would provide pedestrians a more comfortable and healthier walking environment. Other than that, trees along Bintang Walk improve the sense of enclosure by “necking down� the street space with their canopies (Fig. 4.5b and Fig.4.5c). They have such significant impact on walkability of pedestrians in Bintang Walk, in ensuring the livability of the city and also the image of the streetscape.
Fig. 4.5b: Arrays of trees along Bintang Walk, creating shades
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Fig. 4.5c: Pedestrians stroll along shaded sidewalks
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‌ People Are Afraid Of The Dark
Now contrast my experience walking alone in broad daylight with night time, - leading myself to a subjective and utterly irrational perception of the urban environment. Because our fear of the dark has no limits, we have devised a host of aids to compensate for our nocturnal insecurities. When it came time to safety, it is undoubtedly fair to say that a busy and condensed pedestrian route has its own advantages. It seems to develop a sense of security, as public surveillance level is high. Rather walking in a dark and deserted streets, it is observed that sidewalk with various activities happening along it, is preferably chosen by pedestrians.
In combination of their independent choices of walking routes, pedestrians are likely to be seen to dominate sidewalks that are brightly lit, - fitted with street illuminations, advertising billboards, street postlamps, et cetera. Brightly illuminated shops districts now, more or less has influenced the pedestrian movements and axises. A walk at night flies by unnoticed, with dense street life around keeping them company. However, though, it would seem that urban streetscape has even deeper causes. For example, the probability of petty crimes increases, - purse snatching, pick pockets, assaults. It is easier to target reckless pedestrians as they get carried away by dense crowd. These findings aligned with the statistics by Malaysia 2016 Crime & Safety Report, rating the post crime as “High� in Bukit Bintang, over years. Tellingly, people become anxious and nightlife might disappear, changing the whole urban image of Bintang Walk.
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Fig. 4.5d: The lonesome alley of in Bintang Walk
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06 FACILITIES IN ITS PLACE ‌ Businesses and Job Opportunities
As Bukit Bintang continue developing itself into a prominent Golden Triangle, - a centre of business, trades and tourism, - it has proven to be profitable enough. This has developed interest of the locality. Over the years, office buildings were mushrooming in Kuala Lumpur’s city skyline, concentrated within the prominent Bukit Bintang area. This development does not disregarded by property owners. Livability of Bintang Walk itself makes up for high rents. In the eyes of property owners and business traders, nothing can go wrong opening a business within a developing city. In turn, various businesses grow, simultaneously improving the city quality and system efficiency.
Fig. 4.6a: A scene of a sidewalk been dominated by local businesses
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Fig. 4.6b:
Currency Exchange / Bank situated by the sidewalk, easily approached by pedestrians
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As soon as these opportunities have been identified, Bintang Walk begins to fill up with all manner of uses. It is locality-specific advantages that motivate salespeople and businessmen to open their business in this particular area. Along with the increasing number of workplaces and office buildings, it has simultaneously increases the number of job opportunities among locals and also internationals. More significantly, within the stretch of Bintang Walk, there are many businesses operated by non-locals. As an example, Aqmar Interchange (M) Sdn. Bhd., is a business operated by non-locals, serves as a centre for currency exchange in Bintang Walk. It didn’t take long for the other group of businessmen to join the scene, - more money changers, more locals and international banks (Fig. 4.6b). Various business types and programmes has hybridized the pedestrian walkways and the urban streetscape of Bintang Walk, undisputedly.
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Fig 4.6c: Currency exchange offices and alfresco-styled cafĂŠs and restaurant along the sidewalk
‌ It’s Usually Housing and Accommodations.
Fig. 4.6d: Accommodation developments cityscape in Bukit Bintang
The change of Bintang Walk is dramatic. What really makes it unusual is how it has chosen to grow. It expands the city into vast and wider business range, specifically for developers and property owners. What can be better than owning properties in the city centre that is surrounded by facilities, entertainment hubs and also office buildings? Gradually, a synergetic cluster is formed out of individual businesses, with a far greater allure than the attractiveness of its individual parts. (Fig. 4.6d)
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Fig. 4.6e: Conceptual diagram of a mushrooming hotel and residential buildings
In an urban Bukit Bintang context, the number of tourists and immigrants increased over time. Looking at the distribution by type of accommodation, hotels and other short-stay facilities were one of the most popular, followed by other apartments and residential buildings. Other contributing factor to the value of the area is the existing efficient transportation network. There was a significant demand of immediate hotels and residential to accommodate the growing number of people. In Bintang Walk, there are numbers of low-cost and small hotels spotted along the street. There are located in the depth of the building blocks, because lowcost hotels couldn’t afford to be placed at the street-front of the commercial districts. Higher pedestrian flow will have an effect on the local rental prices. The powerful ratio of visitors in Bintang Walk has become the mantra to bigger hotel
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developments. Higher class hotels such as JW Marriott Hotel, Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur and Royale Bintang Hotel sit individually within their own plot, - as a proud independent building.
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CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
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01 CONCLUSION
This study explored the qualities and forces that shape the hybrid pedestrian network, - answering the question of how these forces lead to the creation of its special atmosphere, thus creating its own identity for having such criteria. How exactly the pedestrian network influences the place with its hybrid quality? It is astounding to me, given the vast and multifarious components of urban life, I was able to elaborate the characteristics of pedestrians and their behaviour, and explored how the significance program of the site is being approach by the different group of people in the area that consist of every walk of life.
As much sense as it makes logically, it was honestly hard to understand the hype and dynamic cityscape with overlapping programs and activities happening along the street. The previous findings include detailed explanations of the following elements, ranging from – the road network, the urban programmes integrations, socio-economics, social trades, security and surveillance, green environment, and developing facilities. The study consists of the less obvious examples of this phenomenon that require our attention, or rather, our concerted disregard, - the legitimate facts that the relationship of the hybrid pedestrian network and surrounding programmes are correlated, making a statement that these pedestrians are important because they feed the success of these programmes in Bintang Walk.
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It is always fascinating how things turned out to be more than you expected. The impact of this study has been profound. The presumption from the findings has clearly led to 2 different perspectives, - one is good, and the other isn’t. That said, there is a reason to go a bit overboard, especially when it comes to expecting positive effects of the hybrid pedestrian network. As much as I expected to see only the good side of it, some minor bad side-effects keep cropping up. Indeed, this somehow has more or less affects the reputation of the Kuala Lumpur city. The moral of this study is that everyone, - from different group of people, has to compromise if the city is going to be any good and also if it is going to be affordable.
The results of the findings teach us of how important it is to understand the hybrid pedestrian network in Bintang Walk in depth, as it serves the idea of successful streetscape that may influence future urban planning or improving the existing city plan. However, there is a much more important argument to be made to improve the streetscape and environment in Bintang Walk, such as – the empowerment of the local authorities to supervise the activities and the safety of public realm. Without a doubt, integrating the elements from the findings into a new city plan isn’t as easy as it sounds, however with the knowledge, we have a better chance to take pleasure in the urban environment if we appreciate its parts.
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02 RECOMMENDATIONS ‌ A happy city in the making Various business types and programmes has hybridized the pedestrian walkways and the urban streetscape of Bintang Walk, undisputedly. It is no wonder that this has enlightened city planners that the culprit is less likely to be the street vendors, street performers and all other supplementary components. It is obvious that the urban programmes and activities has taken over the main purpose of a sidewalk. What could be more boring than an empty, mono-coloured sidewalks and squares? One of the ways to improve the pedestrian’s walking experience is by improving the look of sidewalks’ hardscape and softscape, - as in the display, materials, appearance, lights, representation. Taking Superkilen in Copenhagen as an example, a streetscape integrated with cultural-related theme and concept has remarkably enhance the identity of the city.
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Fig. 5.2a : Pedestrian sidewalks being refurbished with thematic landscape, focusing on conceptual appearance
Fig. 5.2b: Pedestrian sidewalks brightly lit by street-front building illuminations
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‌ Improving the walking game If only safety and comfort were enough. In the face of this challenge, the pedestrian sidewalks in Bintang Walk are seen to be disconnected at certain points, - notably in between commercial blocks. Pedestrians are seen to spread out of the designated pedestrian route when cross the streets before returning to the sidewalk to continue their journey. However, this routine risks the safety of the pedestrians. Even surprising is how small a network of walkability can be while still giving the impression of a walkable city. In the eyes of the city planner, a walkable city is what they would achieve, being able to let people walk on foot to their desired destination. Another way to improve the walkability in a city, is to integrate a continuous and seamless pedestrian routes and connectivity, by means of having the systematic circulation system, - as a whole. This would improve the pedestrian movement, vehicular circulation and railways systems, concurrently.
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Fig. 5.2c: Conceptual diagram of an integratied circulation system
Fig. 5.2d : Seamless and safer elevated pedestrian walkways
Fig. 5.2e: Integrated vehicular and pedestrian circulation
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‌ New system of sharing happiness
Street musicians and performers are observed to populate the cityscape the most, - they conquered the empty spaces along sidewalks that have been already pulsating with urban life. They animate urban cityscape and entertain all pedestrians. However, while shamelessly taking control of the open plazas and squares, they are not always accepted by the public as they get in the way of passing pedestrians, - interrupting their movements. We knew it very well, that it is almost impossible to eliminate street performers and vendors, without whom, something felt incomplete in the urban life streetscape. A fairly typical solution, is a win-win situation. To reduce the overly-populated pedestrian walkways, but concurrently encouraging urban programmes, - it is crucial to replan the arrangements of these groups of performers and vendors, positioning them systematically along the pedestrian routes. Taking London as an example, all street buskers, vendors and performers are required to get a permit and adopt the busker’s code. In return, they will be able to busk or perform, will maintaining the quality of the pedestrian walkways.
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… Freedom within limits
Prostitution, is one of the urban “activities” that has never been legalized in Malaysia. Being a Muslim country, the establishments of a night life and massage parlors is not approved by the government. Indeed, this infamous city scene has developed its bad reputation, - leaving passersby uneasy with the unpleasant scene. However, it would be impossible to wipe this activity out of Bintang Walk cityscape. Countless number of efforts has been done since inception, but there were no sign of stopping it. The least we can do is to summon the local authorities: to supervise the surrounding activities and increase the safety of public realm. On the brighter side, consider the free publicity these scenes bring to the place, they has successfully establish Bintang Walk and reflect it as a lively city, - with a lively character.
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[note: this is a back to back printing document, some pages are intentionally left empty]
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