Comparative Analysis Essay

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture Theories of Architecture and Urbanism (ARC 61303) Project 2 : Comparative Analysis Jalan Besar, Klang Malaysia & Escolta Street, Manila Philippines

Name : Poh Jia Jou Student ID : 0327192 Tutor : Ar. Prince Favis Isip Word count : 2042

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0

Foreword

2

2.0

Introduction of Streets

4

3.0

Types of Outdoor Activities

5

3.1

Contact Points of Jalan Besar

7

3.2

Contact Points of Escolta Street

9

3.3 -

Contact Points Comparative Analysis Contact Point 1 Contact Point 2 Contact Point 3 Contact Point 4 Contact Point 5

15

4.0

Conclusion

16

5.0

References

17

02

1.0 Foreword

Life

First life, then spaces, then buildings - the other way around never works. - Jan Gehl

Space

When one talks about architecture, what comes to mind is often the spaces within the building or the form of the building. People always fail to realize the significance of in between spaces. In “Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space” by Danish architect, Jan Gehl mentions about how the environment of urban public space hinder or enhance people's quality of life and the measures which can be taken to improve life between buildings and the city life experience.

Building

An in-depth comparative analytical research will be carried out between the case study of Escolta Street, Manila Philippines and our local Malaysian street, Jalan Besar, Klang. The essay will further unfold the similarities and dissimilarities on the patterns of social activities, types of ‘contact points’ and the varying degrees of contact intensity between the two streets.

Figure 1.1:Jan Gehl The Public Space Public Life (L'Architetto, 2018)

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2.0 Introduction of Streets Jalan Besar, Klang Malaysia - A street undergoing revitalization movement Klang officially known as Royal Town of Klang, is a royal town of former capital of the state of Selangor, and one of the oldest towns in Malaysia. Located in the Southern area of Klang, Jalan Besar is a street with abundance old buildings rich in historical heritage. Once a tin mining town, Jalan Besar has transformed into a mono commercial zone of shophouses. Mainly occupied by public services such as KTM, OCBC bank and post office as well as food destinations.

Figure 2.1: Street view of Jalan Besar (Liew, 2018)

Although steeped in history, segregation of various city functions, and reliance on the automobile also has caused the town to become duller and more monotonous. This points up another important need, namely the need for stimulation. The street is now left with an aging community as locals moving out to modern cities such as Kuala Lumpur and tourists turning their backs on the royal town.

Figure 2.2: Historical timeline of Klang (Manila nostalgic, 2012)

BEGINNING / 200 BC-1819

GROWTH / 1820-1879

POWER SHIFT / 1880-1962

STATIC / 1963-2018

Klang has been the place of human settlement since the Bronze Age. In the 14th century, Klang was marked on the oldest maritime chart used by Chinese traders showing its long existence.

Klang became a tin mining town in the 19th century. In 1874, Klang became the capital of Selangor while settlement just began in Kuala Lumpur.

Capital of Selangor moved from Klang to Kuala Lumpur leading to the shift of development focus.

To ease transportation between Klang and KL, KTM station was built in 1886.

Independence of Malaysia led to the development of KL as city centre attracting the younger demographic to move to KL. Klang development remained stagnant.

04

2.0 Introduction of Streets Escolta Street, Manila Philippines - A street undergoing renaissance Escolta Street is historic west to east street in the downtown district of Binondo in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Being part of the oldest Chinatown, it was once dubbed as “The Queen of Streets”, Manileños would flock to Escolta to shop, work, and dine making it a leading commercial district starting from the 1800s to the early 1930s. Fast forward several years later, Escolta has become a casualty of the modern times and somehow lost its appeal.

Figure 2.3: Street view of Escolta Street (langyaw, 2014)

Recent initiatives of conservationist groups and individuals, Escolta is having a renaissance.

Escolta has resurrected as a cultural hub, commercial center for aspiring artists, and architectural hotspot. On almost every street corner, there are a few buildings showcasing the original architecture retained from the Spanish period.

Figure 2.4: Historical timeline of Escolta Street (Manila nostalgic, 2012)

BEGINNING / 1594-1870

GROWTH / 1871-1940

DECLINE / 1941-1944

STATIC / 1945-2018

Escolta, was concentrated with immigrant merchants, mainly from Fujian, China, during Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade.

In the late 19th Century, Escolta flourished into a fashionable business district, hosting city’s tallest skyscrapers as well as the Manila Stock Exchange.

Unfortunately, Escolta was ravaged by air raids and Japanese troops, leaving Escolta Street in utter destruction from World War II.

Reconstruction started immediately but the glory of Escolta Street was not resurrected. The street continued to serve as Manila’s primary commercial district before shifted to Makati in 1960s .

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3.0 Types of Outdoor Activities

According to Jan Gehl, there are 3 types of outdoor activities, namely Necessary activities, Optional Activities and Social activities. (Fig 3.2).

Figure 3.1: Representation of the relationship between the quality of outdoor spaces and the rate of occurrence of outdoor activities. (Gahl, 2011)

Figure 3.2: Different qualities of physical environment lead to varying degrees of contact intensity. (Gahl, 2011)

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3.1 Contact Points of Jalan Besar

CONTACT POINT

CONTACT INTENSITY

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

LOW - HIGH Passive contact to close friendships.

NECESSARY ACTIVITY - Used as transportation to destination.

SOCIAL ACTIVITY - Taxi drivers watching people go in and out KTM. - Observe surrounding while waiting for bus or train.

- Ask for directions.

LOW - HIGH Passive contact to friends.

NECESSARY ACTIVITY - People walking through it to reach their destination OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - People stop by at the commercial lots and go in SOCIAL ACTIVITY - Greet friends

3. Chong Kok Kopitiam

MODERATE - HIGH Passive contact to close friendships.

NECESSARY ACTIVITY - Shop owner preparing and selling food.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - People stop by to eat.

SOCIAL ACTIVITY - Chat with friends while waiting or during meals.

4. Green Open Place

LOW Passive contact to acquaintances.

NECESSARY ACTIVITY - People passing by to reach destination OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - Sitting down to rest.

LOW - HIGH Passive contact to close friendships.

NECESSARY ACTIVITY - Museum workers going to work.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - Tourists having a tour and taking photos around it.

SOCIAL ACTIVITY - Listen to captivating stories by tour guide.

- Conversation between tour guide and tourists.

1. Ktm Station

2. 5 foot walkway & Street

5. Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery

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3.2 Contact Points of Escolta Street

Contact Points

1 4 5 3

2

Escolta Street Figure 3.4: Contact points labeled on site plan of Escolta Street (Poh, 2018)

1.Bus Stop 2. Sidewalk & Street 3. Street vendor stalls 4. Bridge 5.

First United Building

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3.2 Contact Points of Escolta Street

CONTACT POINT

1. Bus Stop

2. Sidewalk & Street

3. Street vendor stalls

4. Bridge

5. First United Building

CONTACT INTENSITY

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

LOW - HIGH Passive contact to close friendships.

NECESSARY ACTIVITY - Used as transportation to destination.

SOCIAL ACTIVITY - Observe surrounding while waiting for bus or train - Ask for directions.

LOW - HIGH Passive contact to friends.

NECESSARY ACTIVITY - People walking through it to reach their destination OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - People stop by at the commercial lots and go in SOCIAL ACTIVITY - Greet friends

LOW - HIGH Passive contact to close friendships.

NECESSARY ACTIVITY - Street vendors preparing and selling food.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - People stop by to eat.

SOCIAL ACTIVITY - Watching vendors preparing food.

- Chat with friends while waiting or during meals.

LOW - HIGH Passive contact to friends.

NECESSARY ACTIVITY - People passing by to reach destination.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - Sitting down or leaning to rest.

SOCIAL ACTIVITY - Observe surrounding while resting.

LOW - HIGH Passive contact to close friendships.

NECESSARY ACTIVITY - Museum workers going to work.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - Tourists having a tour and taking photos around it.

SOCIAL ACTIVITY - Listen to captivating stories by tour guide.

- Conversation between tour guide and tourists.

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3.3 Contact Points Comparative Analysis

/ Public Transportation / Contact point 1: KTM Station (Jalan Besar) Bus stop (Escolta Street)

Figure 3.5: KTM Station at Jalan Besar (Liew, 2018)

Figure 3.6: Bus stop pole at Jalan Besar (Googlemap, 2018)

Public transportation increases accessibility to places which then improves legibility. Both Jalan Besar and Escolta Street have public transportation located strategically at the intersection of streets. KTM station at Jalan Besar is considered a significant landmark which functions as a transportation hub for daily commuters to wait for train or bus, while the bus stop of Escolta Street is a drop-off point for public buses. As travelling to destination is a necessary activity, both have the same contact intensity of low to high, where locals and tourists have passive and chance contact or friends meet up.

Both bus stops are considered informal bus stops, as there are no proper bus stop shelter and seatings, only bus stop pole is available beside the street. Bus stop signs should be clearly visible to pedestrians and bus drivers. The signage at Jalan Besar shows a clear timetable display case attached to the pole, nevertheless the bus stop is exposed to sunlight. Whereas the flag on the pole at Escolta Street has faded and not easily detectable. However, the bus stop at Escolta Street is shaded by the projected building above. People tend to wait along shophouses then hop onto bus at Jalan Besar instead of waiting there. Therefore the chance contact intensity is higher at bus stop of Escolta Street compared to Jalan Besar.

Cities and building projects of modest dimensions, narrow streets, and small spaces are comparably perceived as intimate, warm, and personal. Conversely, building projects with large spaces, wide streets, and tall buildings often are felt to be cold and impersonal. (Gehl, 2011, p.69) Comparing the bus stops with the KTM Station, people are in a more intimate distance at bus stops, short distances promote contact, whereas KTM Station is very spacious, long distances inhibit contact, mostly passive contact happen at KTM Station.

Figure 3.7: Bus stop pole at Escolta Street (Googlemap, 2018)

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3.3 Contact Points Comparative Analysis

Fully shaded 5 foot walkway

/ Transition Space / Contact point 2: 5 foot walkway and street (Jalan Besar) Sidewalk and street (Escolta Street) A transition space is a ‘buffer zone’ or a passage from inside to outside. A place where people normally walk by everyday, but never take a second look.

Both Malaysia and Philippines have similar tropical climate which is usually hot and humid with heavy rains pouring down unpredictably. As a result, the buildings at Jalan Besar and Escolta Street are designed in response to tropical climate. Jalan Besar has fully shaded 5 foot walkway, whereas Escolta Street has partially shaded sidewalk forming the frontage to a row of commercial properties. These transition spaces from inside to outside be where people have social contact and interact with each other. They succeed in creating fluid and malleable outdoor in-between spaces.

Figure 3.8: The projected upper floor of shophouse on top of the 5 foot walkways provide a cover to shield pedestrians from the sun and rain. (Liew,2018)

Partially shaded sidewalk

Escolta Street has a wider sidewalk but narrower main road, Jalan Besar has a narrower 5 foot walkway but wider main road. 5 foot walkway at Jalan Besar achieved what is mentioned by Gehl where spaces are sufficiently narrow and rich in experiences, yet still wide enough to allow room to maneuver (Gehl, 2011, p.133) As 5 foot walkway has a better quality of route, higher contact intensity occurs. The level of intimacy between pedestrians across the street is higher at Escolta street as short distances between buildings promote contact. Here it is possible to see buildings, people coming and going, and people stopping in outdoor areas near the buildings.

However, both streets have linear circulation of human flow. The principle of creating a linear structure is the logical consequence of the limitations of human movement and a frontally and horizontally oriented sensory system. When activities are assembled along a street, the individual is able, merely by taking a short walk, to establish what is going on in the area. (Gehl, 2011, p.87) Therefore, the level of engagement to the shops are the same along both streets.

Figure 3.9: Sidewalk that is only partially shed from sun and rain at Escolta Street (Googlemap,2018)

3.3 Contact Points Comparative Analysis

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Contact Intensity

Low

Moderate

High

5 foot walkway

Sid

g

arkin

p Side

5 foot walkway

Main road

e pa

rkin

Informal parking

g

Figure 3.10: Street typology and contact intensity of Jalan Besar (Liew,2018)

5 foot walkway

5100 Wide side parking

7500 Wider main road

5100 Wide side parking

Low visual connectivity

Figure 3.12: Section of people street interaction at Jalan Besar (Poh, ,2018)

Sidewalk

Sidewalk

Main road

Informal parking

Figure 3.11: Street typology and contact intensity of Escolta Street (Liew,2018)

5 foot walkway

2500 Sidewalk Informal parking

5000 Narrower main road

2500 Informal parking

Sidewalk

High visual connectivity

Figure 3.13: Section of people street interaction at Escolta Street (Poh, 2018)

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3.3 Contact Points Comparative Analysis

/ Food Nodes / Contact point 3: Chong Kok Kopitiam (Jalan Besar) Food vendor stalls (Escolta Street) Spill out activity onto side pavement attracts pedestrians’ attention

Figure 3.14: Active frontage of Chong Kok Kopitiam (liew, 2018)

Lively outdoor city life - human activity encourages passersby to stop to watch Figure 3.15: Street vendor stalls lined along Escolta Street (Googlemap, 2018)

People are attracted to other people. (Gehl, 2011, p.23) The number one attraction in any city isn’t the buildings, the parks, the sculptures or the statues. It’s people. First we need people, then spaces, then buildings. Being able to see what is going on in public spaces is an element of invitation. (Gehl, 2011, p.113) Both streets comply with the above statements.

As Chong Kok Kopitiam has an extremely narrow layout, the business is spilled out onto the 5 foot walkway and side pavement. The sidewalk kopitiam works as a direct invitation to join in. Food vendor stalls line along Escolta Street create a lively outdoor city life. Both share the same contact intensity of low to high and function as a food node.

However, Chong Kok Kopitiam has adequate primary seatings whereas street vendor stalls lack seatings. Thus, more people feel invited to stay at Chong Kok Kopitiam. The longer the outdoor stays in an area last, the greater are the chances that friends and neighbors meet and talk. (Gehl, 2011, p.168) At Escolta Street, chance contact happens more frequently, conversations between vendors and customers or between customers.

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3.3 Contact Points Comparative Analysis

Poor quality of physical environment - low rate of occurrence of outdoor activities

Figure 3.16: Green open space with trees forming a boundary at Jalan Besar (Liew, 2018)

Good quality of physical environment - high rate of occurrence of outdoor activities Figure 3.17: People resting while sightseeing on the bridge at Escolta Street (Googlemap, 2017)

/ Public Realm / Contact point 4: Green open space (Jalan Besar) Bridge (Escolta Street) Both green open place at Jalan Besar and bridge at Escolta Street are places where people pass by to run errands. They act as a pausing point and gathering point where pedestrians can sit and relax. However, contrast can be seen in both spaces regarding the optional and social activities due to the quality of the spaces. Outdoor activities that are particularly dependent on the quality of the outdoor spaces are the optional, recreational activities, and by implication, a considerable part of the social activities. It is these specially attractive activities that disappear when conditions are poor and that thrive where conditions are favorable. (Gehl, 2011, p.32) The quality of the outdoor green space is unfavourable. Although it is the only green public realm along the street, there are no seatings and shade provided and the area is quite exposed to sun during the day while too dark at night. The trees planted along the boundary of the green space unintentionally forms a barrier that is uninviting to pedestrians. These issues discourage people staying there.

There is high occurrence of optional and social activity at the bridge due to the good quality of space. Pedestrians lean on or sit on cement railing of bridge to rest and enjoy viewing the cityscape. Seating in public space invites people to sit and communicate with each other rather than walking through the street in a hurry. The more time people spend in public space, the more possibilities they have to meet and talk.

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3.3 Contact Points Comparative Analysis

/ Heritage building / Contact point 5: Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery (Jalan Besar) First United Building Community Museum (Escolta Street)

Figure 3.18: Street view of Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery.

(Tripadvisor, 2018)

Both streets have a museum, built in 1900s, being one of the historical landmark buildings of the street. Based on the concept of “sense of place” by Gordon Cullen, a characteristic visual expression contributes to giving a feeling of a sense of place and through this inspires people to be in a space. Life in the space complements with architectural quality. Both museums have high architectural value, that function as visual attraction. However, contrast is seen regarding the life on both streets.

A few long-lasting activities produce exactly as much life between buildings. (Gehl, 2011, p.184) Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery at Jalan Besar has mostly “coming and going” activities such as workers passing by, but few stationary activities to stay for longer duration. Although the greenery front yard at the gallery provides good opportunities for staying, fencing surrounding it form an edge, discourages contact. The wide main road in front decreases the level of intimacy too.

Figure 3.20: Neglected greenery yard in front of Royal Gallery (istock, 2018)

Street markets happening in between buildings

Figure 3.20: Street in front of First United Building seen with crowds staying for a long duration (Langyaw, 2017)

Whereas street markets are held occasionally in front of First United building along Escolta Street. The event breathes life into the old buildings along the historic street.

Street in between can be seen abuzz with people, hovering around. There is higher contact intensity at Escolta Street compared with Jalan Besar.

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4.0 Conclusion

"Only architecture that considers human scale and interaction is successful architecture." - Jan Gehl In a nutshell, the essay has clearly proven Jan Gehl's theories about activity gives the opportunity to see, hear, and meet others, it acts as the most important attraction on pedestrian streets. The quality of the physical environment plays an important role too as outdoor activities are especially dependent on exterior physical conditions.

Following the framework of Life Between Buildings, the interaction between the urban environment and people is compared among Jalan Besar and Escolta Street. Both streets share similar traits and own differences that brought about to their own cultural identity. However, they still lack rich experiences. More activities on street level should be introduced to increase opportunity for stimulation.

Inevitably, life between buildings is richer, more stimulating, and more rewarding than any combination of architectural ideas. (Gehl, 2011, p.22) By bringing people out onto the street, onto ground level, cities are not only livelier, but also made safer. Therefore it is vital to take good care of the people and the precious life between the buildings.

5.0 References

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Books 1.

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

2.

Gehl, J., & Gemzøe, L. (2004). Public spaces - public life. Copenhagen: Architektens Forl.

Websites 1.

Asal usul Klang. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.utusan.com.my/rencana/utama/asal-usul-klang-1.170399

2.

guides, C., Begawan, B., City, H., Kong, H., Kinabalu, K., & Lumpur, K. et al. (2018). Why Manila's historic Escolta Street is thriving again waytogo. Retrieved from https://waytogo.cebupacificair.com/manila-escolta-street/

3.

Jan Gehl. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.pps.org/article/jgehl

4.

The Glory Days of Escolta, Manila's 'Queen of the Streets'. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.townandcountry.ph/people/heritage/what-escolta-street-was-like-in-its-prime-a00184-20180113-lfrm

5.

walk, L. (2018). Learn the history of Klang on this delightful walk - Star2.com. Retrieved from https://www.star2.com/travel/malaysia/2016/06/07/learn-the-history-of-klang-on-this-walk/

6.

Wander, R. (2018). Malaysia: Royal Klang Heritage Walk, Selangor. Retrieved from https://www.rambleandwander.com/2017/08/malaysia-royal-klang-heritage-walk-selangor.html