TAN CHIN WERNG 0324408
RESEARCH PROPOSAL FOR FOOD AND CULTURE (ARC3223/CLS60203) NAME : TAN CHIN WERNG
SEMESTER : 05
TITLE : HOW DOES FOOD CONSUMPTION AND ITS ENVIRONMENT AFFECT THE SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IN WAI SEK GAI, PUDU? The practice of consuming and selling street food is a social activity which facilitates interaction between people in public space, whether this is through a simple exchange of money for goods or an in-depth conversation. Similarly, In Malaysia, some forms of street food, particularly from the sellers running street kitchens or services offered by stationary vendors, not only provide people with food to eat but also a space to socialize. Drawing on the idea that food consumption plays an inherently social role in everyday life (Bell and Valentine, 1997) Although the economic benefits of street vending are widely recognized, little attention has previously been paid to the social aspects, Thus, I aim to explore the social life of street food in Wai Sek Gai, Pudu, focusing specifically on the selling of street food and its environment through the lens of social sustainability. Street food allows people of different backgrounds and social status to meet and socialize in a neutral environment, helping to promote a culture of acceptance and break down social segregation (Seeland et al, 2009). Research conducted by Whyte (1980) showed that placing a food cart in a public space attracts people, which in turn attract more people. My proposed interpretation and analysis will offers a useful tool for understanding the social functions and examine the social sustainability of street vending environment in Wai Sek Gai by analyzing people’s behaviors and relationships in the street food environment. The Pudu Wai Sek Gai, has stood at the intersection of Jalan Pudu and Jalan Sayur for more than five decades which is hidden between shop lots (The Star, 2017), is still attracting many people flock over here. This study will allows the audience to know who is excluded and included in the street food environment and what kind of social interactions are taking place in Pudu Wai Sek Gai, between whom, where and how often.
Food and Culture (ARC3223 /CLS60203)
TAN CHIN WERNG 0324408
This analysis on street food to date has largely focused on social and environmental aspects in Pudu Wai Sek Gai. Much of this research has adopted a mixed methods approach using a selection of methods: surveys, interviews and site observations. A mixed method research design was selected to elicit a holistic understanding of the street food environment which encompasses the views of all key actors including street vendors, consumers and stakeholders. Lastly, I expect to have a visual presentation comprises of images, diagrams, mapping, sketches and also supporting analysis writings to demonstrate my findings. Moreover, a photo book will be compiled and showing the social interaction between humans and environment at the site.
REFERENCES 1. Bell, D. and Valentine, G. 1997. Consuming Geographies: We Are Where We Eat. Psychology Press. 2. Seeland, K., Dübendorfer S. and Hansmann, R. 2009. ‘Making Friends in Zurich’s Urban Forests and Parks: The Role of Public Green Space for Social Inclusion of Youths from Different Cultures’. Forest Policy and Economics 11 (1): 10–17. 3. TheStar, 2017, Wai Sek Kai destroyed in fire, Retrieved from 5 Oct 2018. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/09/16/wai-sek-kaidestroyed-in-fire-disaster-strikes-pudus-food-heaven/ 4. Whyte, W. 1980. The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. New York: Project for Public Spaces
Food and Culture (ARC3223 /CLS60203)