SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC2224) (ARC61303)
PROJECT PART B SECTION 4, PJ OLD TOWN
NAME: TE LI THENG ID: 0314198 LECTURER: MR. LAM SHEN FEI DATE: 6TH JUNE 2016
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Figure 1.0 shows the map of Section 4 in PJ Old Town
Petaling Jaya, Section 4, is located in the heart of the Petaling Jaya’s old town district. Section 4 can be clustered into four corners, and defined by the four main roads surrounding the area, namely Jalan Templer, Jalan Selangor, Jalan Othman, and Jalan Penchala, at the north, east, south, and west respectively. Section 4 is a residential suburb that is part of greater Petaling Jaya city, which was originally intended to be developed as a satellite township for Kuala Lumpur. It consists of low rise apartments, single storey, and double storey houses. The north-eastern corner of Section 4 is an institutional district where institutional and hospital landmarks can be found. The most prominent landmark in this corner would be Assunta Hospital. The other three corners of the area is predominantly residential and commercial districts. In the heart of Section 4 lies the religious district with a mosque serving as the landmark. Recent developments have maintained Section 4 as a residential district, supported by commercial facilities, such as a wet market at the south-west corner located along Jalan Othman.
2.0 COGNITIVE MAPPING 2.1 Introduction to Cognitive Mapping Cognitive mapping relies on one’s perception and spatial awareness of the space we live in. City spaces may be created based on how society perceives and behave around the environment of the city. Cognitive mapping is a process of integrating the representation of large-scale space into a smaller scale such as drawings, models, imagery, and other similar methods (Chown, E., Kaplan, S., Kortenkamp, D., 1995, pg. 2). Cognitive mapping requires a strong image to be evoked towards the observer, allowing the observer to vividly remember a reference point that he or she can recall when needed (Lynch, K., 1960, pg. 9). Lynch coins the term “image ability” which describes strong images that allows the senses to store the information to memory. ‘Figure 2.1’, ‘Figure 2.2’, and ‘Figure 2.3’ below shows a comparison of three cognitive map that is drawn by a local resident of Section 4, Petaling Jaya, Mrs. Wong, an office clerk who drives pass Section 4 regularly to and from work, Mr. Lim, and a research student that utilizes Lynch’s five elements of image ability, paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks (1960, pg. 46) respectively.
Figure 2.0 shows Mrs. Wong was drawing the cognitive mapping at the food court.
Figure 2.1 shows Mrs. Wong’s cognitive mapping
The map drawn by Mrs. Wong is a very rough sketch, depicting only key locations and landmarks. When asked how Mrs. Wong travels from her home to the food court where she works, she mentions various landmark locations that are well known amongst the residence. Landmarks such as the ‘Guan Yin Temple’, where families frequent during Sunday, Assunta Hospital, the Indian temple, and the wet market next to the food court.
Figure 2.2 shows Mr. Lim’s cognitive mapping
The map drawn by Mr. Lim shows an understanding of the edges surrounding Section 4. Mr. Lim frequents Jalan Templer to and from work. He does not stay in Section 4, therefore he can only recall certain landmarks shown in his cognitive mapping.
Figure 2.3 shows Research student’s cognitive mapping
2.2 Comparing Cognitive Mappings Comparing Mrs. Wong (Figure 2.1), and Mr. Lim’s (Figure 2.2) map to the research student’s map (Figure 2.3), a clear difference can be seen in the orientation of the mapping as well as details of the map. The orientation error in Mrs. Wong’s map is common as researched by Stevens and Coupe (1978, pg. 424). The error is not caused by unfamiliarity of the area (Stevens, A. & Coupe, p. 1978, pg. 425), cognitive maps are just a means of wayfinding (Chown, E., Kaplan, S., Kortenkamp, D., 1995, pg. 3) whereas spatial and orientation awareness is not as important ( Evans, G.W. & Pezdek, K., 1980, pg. 13). Mr Lim’s map on the other hand is much more simple and straight to the point, using only landmarks and defined boundaries of Section 4 via its main roads.
2.2.1 Paths
Figure 2.4 shows that Jalan Othman was having heavy traffic jam due to the junction and traffic light ahead during the day time on weekdays
Figure 2.5 shows that there are cars double parking along Jalan Templer especially during the weekends, the people who is going for the church service will park along the roadside. This caused the road at Jalan Templer became narrower and blocking the traffic flow of vehicles
Figure 2.6 shows the pedestrian pathway beside monsoon drain toward the bus stop and commercial district direction at Jalan Penchala from residential district.
Figure 2.7 shows the pedestrian path from residential district towards Jalan Penchala direction.
Paths are defined in all three maps, but most interesting is the map by Mrs. Wong who clearly maps out the paths from her home to the wet market but is mistaken in the direction of the path leading towards the market. Tversky (1993, pg. 16) argues that this distort in direction judgement is due to the fact that people do not remember the absolute location of a place. Mr. Lim’s drawing also has an error as he have mistakenly drew the ‘sports center’ at the wrong end of the road. This effect happens because most people remember places in clusters (Hirtle, S.C. & Jonides, J., 1985 pg. 209). Both Mr. Lim and Mrs. Wong group the landmarks that they identified as one cluster (Hirtle, S.C. & Jonides, J., 1985 pg. 209), because they remember seeing or passing by those landmarks, however, they do not pay attention as to the exact location of the landmarks, thus creating distortion in their cognitive maps (Downs, R. & Stea, D., 2011, pg. 315). The research student clearly maps out the paths, identifying Primary, Secondary, and Pedestrian paths. Primary paths are the main roads such as Jalan Templer, Jalan Selangor, Jalan Penchala, and Jalan Othman (Figure 2.4 & Figure 2.5) that are frequented by heavy traffic, which includes Mr. Lim and Mrs. Wong. These are the paths that most users will easily identify due to reasons such as traffic congestion and spending most time on these main roads. Secondary paths are paths that branches into the residential areas such as Mrs. Wong’s home. Secondary paths are less travelled by most users, besides the residence and visitors, therefore they are less congested. Mr. Lim’s map also shows the lack of secondary paths as he does not use them at all, whereas Mrs. Wong clearly indicates the path she uses daily to commute to work in her map. Pedestrian paths including monsoon drain bridges (Figure 2.6 & Figure 2.7) are mapped by the research student indicating the direction towards bus stops and commercial districts. 2.2.2 Edges Well defined edges of Section 4 is seen in both Mr. Lim’s and the research student’s map in ‘Figure 2’ and ‘Figure 3’. These edges are defined by Jalan Selangor, Jalan Templer, Jalan Othman, Jalan Penchala clearly shown the both maps. Edges are used to define the boundaries between districts (Lynch, K., 1960, pg. 47), in this case, boundaries between Section 4 and the other sections surrounding it.
Figure 2.8 shows the monsoon drain that separates the Northern and Southern parts of Section 4.
Other less defined edges such as the monsoon drain that separates the northern and southern parts of Section 4 is shown in the research student’s map (Figure 2.3). The monsoon drains (Figure 2.8) are barriers for vehicles to cut across the northern and southern parts of Section 4, but pedestrians can easily go across the drain with the help of bridges. 2.2.3 Landmarks
Figure 2.9 shows Assunta Hospital with huge signage
Figure 2.10 shows Hindu Temple along Jalan Selangor
Figure 2.11 shows Jalan Othman Wet Market
Figure 2.12 shows Chinese Temple along Jalan Dagang 4/48
Landmarks play an important role as a point of reference as many people rely on landmarks to identify a location (Lynch, K. 1960, pg. 48). Key landmarks are mentioned in Mrs. Wong and Mr. Lim’s drawings in ‘Figure 2.1’ and ‘Figure 2.2’, most notable is Assunta Hospital. Landmarks are most commonly used to identify directions (Chown, E., Kaplan, S., Kortenkamp, D., 1995, pg. 3). Landmarks also provide the strongest image ability for people to remember places and directions (Lynch, K. 1960, pg. 9). All three maps in this case highlights Assunta Hospital, the Hindu temple, and the market as landmarks. These three landmark provides the strongest recognisable image for people to identify Section 4. Landmarks are an indication of a familiar environment and they have to be uniquely distinguished (Chown, E., Kaplan, S., Kortenkamp, D., 1995, pg. 17). If a landmark stands out from its environment, it is more likely to be chosen to identify a place (Lynch, K. 1960, pg. 48). Mrs. Wong clearly identify with the unique looks of the Chinese Temple and its oriental design shown in ‘Figure 2.12’ as a point of reference of her journey from her home to the market. Furthermore, Assunta Hospital is highly recognisable with its huge signage shown in ‘Figure 2.9’, the Hindu Temple’s intricate and detailed design also stands out from its environment shown in ‘Figure 2.10’. As well as the busy Jalan Othman Wet Market with its unique exterior shown in ‘Figure 2.11’.
2.2.4 District
Figure 2.13(left) & Figure 2.14(right) shows residential district in Section 4
Figure 2.15 shows Sekolah Kebangsaan Assunta 1&2 located on the North-East corner of Section 4
Figure 2.16 shows there is a College of Nursing Assunta Hospital beside SK Assunta 1&2 along the same road
Figure 2.17 shows shop houses in Section 4 facing toward one of the main road, Jalan Selangor
Districts are sections of the city, where the use of the sections share similar identifying characteristics (Lynch, K. 1960, pg. 47). Clear districts can be identified from the research student’s map in ‘Figure 2.3’. Section 4 can be clustered and defined into 4 main districts. The residential district (Figure 2.13 & Figure 2.14) takes up the majority of Section 4 in the North-West, South-West, and centre of sectors. Institutional districts (Figure 2.15 & Figure 2.16) are clustered on the North-East corner of Section 4. The religious district (Figure 2.10 & Figure 2.12) of Section 4 is concentrated right at the heart of Section 4, where most of its residences can all access the temples, mosques, and churches easily in close proximity. The commercial district (Figure 2.17) is concentrated at the South-East corner consisting of restaurants, market, car dealers and a food court. The commercial vendors tend to form along the fringes of Section 4, allowing them to gain higher visibility to the public and attract customers. Districts are not clearly shown in the cognitive maps of Mr. Lim and Mr. Wong, however, with a closer inspection, there is also similarities of the two maps compared with the research student’s map. The slight differences between the location of the districts shown in the three maps is due to the perspective and information that each person have (Downs, R. & Stea, D., 2011, pg. 316), however, the cluster of districts are still similar.
2.2.5 Nodes
Figure 2.18(left) & Figure 2.19(right) shows the intersection of Jalan Othman and Jalan Selangor
Figure 2.20(left) & Figure 2.21(right) shows that this round-a-bout is the main junctions to connect Jalan Selangor and Jalan Templer, Jalan Templer and Jalan Penchala for vehicles
Figure 2.22 shows the wet market as a concentration point for pedestrians to buy foodstuffs every day
Nodes are strategic spots of a city where people can enter and use as a means of gathering or interchange (Lynch, K. 1960, pg. 47). Nodes are depicted in the research student’s cognitive map at the intersection of Jalan Othman and Jalan Selangor (Figure 2.18 & Figure 2.19). The intersection is primarily a vehicle node. Other nodes surrounding Section 4 is illustrated by the photos in ‘Figure 2.20’ & ‘Figure 2.21’. Pedestrian nodes are primarily bus stops, markets, food court, and others shown on the research student’s map. In both Mr. Lim and Mrs. Wong’s cognitive maps also show nodes, specifically the market (Figure 2.22) and the food court. Secondary nodes such as temples, churches and mosques are also shown in all three cognitive mapping.
3.0 CONCLUSION Our perception and spatial awareness of the space we live in can be seen through cognitive mapping. The interactions we have with the city space and how we remember them via the five elements mentioned in Lynch’s (1960) theory, paths, edges, landmarks, districts, and nodes shows that cognitive mapping relies heavily on the image ability of the city. Strong memorable images such as Assunta Hospital, the Hindu Temple along Jalan Selangor, the Chinese Temple, and the busy Jalan Othman Wet Market helps locals and visitors identify Section 4. Distinct districts and boundaries define the area as well, via main roads such as Jalan Templer, Jalan Selangor, Jalan Othman, and Jalan Penchala. Errors are bound to be found in cognitive mapping, as mentioned by Chown, Kaplan, and Kortenkamp (1995) that it is but a means of getting our bearings right and finding our way around the city. The errors made are neglectable because they do not affect largely on the way we travel. These errors might just be orientation or spatial errors that can be addressed. Furthermore, most people identify cognitive maps using landmarks. They are highly imaginable and easy to remember. Landmarks usually stand out in the viewer’s eyes, thus allowing them to recognise where they are. For example the Assunta Hospital signage at the roundabout usually connotes the arrival or return to Section 4. Lastly, even though there are research that suggests that distortions and inaccurate cognitive mappings do happen such as argued by Tversky (1993), it should not stop us from practicing this method of navigating through our city. We should beautify our city to allow it to be more imaginable not just for the residence but for its visitors as well, so that it would then be easier to navigate as well as enjoy the beautiful and admirable looks of a beautiful city.
4.0 REFERENCE LIST Kevin Lynch (1960). The Image of the City. Chown, E., Kaplan, S., & Kortenkamp, D. (1995). Prototypes, Location, and Associative Networks (PLAN): Towards a Unified Theory of Cognitive Mapping. Cognitive Science, 19(1), 3,17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15516709cog1901_1 Evans, G. & Pezdek, K. (1980). Cognitive mapping: Knowledge of real-world distance and location information. Journal Of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning & Memory, 6(1), 13-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0278-7393.6.1.13 Hirtle, S. & Jonides, J. (1985). Evidence of hierarchies in cognitive maps. Memory & Cognition, 13(3), 209. http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/bf03197683 Roger M., D. & David, S. (2011). Cognitive Maps and Spatial Behaviour: Process and Products (1st ed., pp. 315316). Chichester, UK.: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Retrieved from http://mslab.kaist.ac.kr/twiki/pub/PlaceWalker/RelatedWork/cognitive_mapping_and_spatial_behavior.pdf Stevens, A. & Coupe, P. (1978). Distortions in judged spatial relations. Cognitive Psychology, 10(4), 422-437. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0010-0285(78)90006-3 Tolman, E. Classics in the History of Psychology -- Tolman (1948). Psychclassics.yorku.ca. Retrieved 5 June 2016, from http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Tolman/Maps/maps.htm Tversky, B. (1993). Cognitive Maps, Cognitive Collages, and Spatial Mental Models (1st ed., p. 16). Maricana Marina, Elba Isalnd, Italy: European Conference. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/200827817_Cognitive_Maps_Cognitive_Collages_and_Spatial_M ental_Models