Theories of architecture & urbanism (ARC61303) PROJECT 2: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY Sisavangvong St.
Luang Prabang, Laos
Jalan Besar & Jalan Stesen 1
Klang, Malaysia
Kennett Lim Roong Xiang 0325031 Tutor: Mr. Prince Favis Isip
CONTENTS • Introduction - Jalan Besar, Klang, Malaysia. - The morphology - Klang - Sisavangvong Road, Luang Prabang, Laos. - The morphology - Laos • The comparison – Jalan Besar, Klang & Sisavangvong Road, Laos • Street analysis of the both Asian cities • 1.0. Food as a necessary activity - the similarity of an eatery node. • 2.0. Converging junction - paths that leads to a direction. • 3.0. Active frontages, streets - urban wall • 4.0 Historical attractions - landmark as a point of interest •
5.0 Spontaneous fests - Impromptu public spaces
• References
INTRODUCTION Urban streets, in such cultural contexts, are vibrant social public spaces. The public life which generates significant atmosphere of a realm which depicts its character of the urban street in that place. This character not only describes the physical environment per se; it also brings a rather distinctive cultural identity to the overall urban landscape. Ambience, however, would not be the same at every point of the street; it varies from a single contact point to the corresponding other along the length of the street. These changing patterns needs to be studied and understood in any approach of design and the implementation of urban planning as so that they would be congruent with the existing physical fabric of the street as well its cultural identity. Every street embodies its own unique sense of place. It is determined by onto how people's interactions with the environment, by means of various activities and settings, contribute significantly to the character of an urban space. Culture is the central concept and how it plays an important role in the type of activity, the choice of settings, and the presence/absence of multisensory elements such as sight, smell, touch, and hear. Taking the street life of Sisavangvong Road, Luang Prabang in Laos alongside with Jalan Besar, to study the similarities and dissimilarities based on the patterns of social activities, types of ‘contact points’, and the varying degrees of contact intensity between the two cities, namely Jalan Besar in Malaysia, represents the fluid working lifestyle of the people; while Sisavangvong St. in Laos, representing a more cultural and touristic appeal of the street.
Jalan Besar Klang is officially the Royal Town of Klang, or better known as Bandar Diraja Klang in Bahasa Malaysia, is a royal town and former capital of the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Also, it is situated within the Klang District. Klang was the civil capital of Selangor in an earlier era prior to the emergence of Kuala Lumpur. (Klang Municipal Council, 2015) Physical qualities like the intimate scale of the buildings, oriented facades to the street sheltered with five foot walkways, spots and clumps of vegetation, and the many parking amenities, which shows the street working lifestyle of the community in Klang. The nested community which consists of the veteran, young ventures, and working adults. Jalan Besar scales the street of Klang with it being the main circulatory access for vehicles to circulate through, whereas Jalan Stesen as a secondary route to redirect vehicular access back to the main junction of Jalan Besar. Several parcels of pre-war shophouses of occupies the majority of the streetscape as it intends to retain the original value of cultural and heritage thus the name of “Heritage City of Klang”. However, some shophouses are refurbished into a much cosier appeal to the younger community, like the coffee shop of Seraph Awaken, and the quiet coworking space of Coshtel. Traditional business thriving till this day inhabiting in its own “home” like the kopitiam of Klang famously known as Chong Kok Kopitiam, Klang’s famous delicacy of pork bone herbal soup originator- Teck Teh Bah Kut Teh, elder watch keepers which have skills in repairing analogue watches like the Wah Seng Brothers. Moreover, Klang is also the stopping station of the KTM. This values depicts the casual life patterns which uniquely occurs along the wide street of Jalan Besar.
Figure 1: Jalan Besar when viewed from the bridge of Jalan Tengku Kelana. (image courtesy of: Ramble and Wander, 2017)
The morphology - Klang
Foundation - 1910 Constructed to be a centre for infrastructure connectivity from the port to the city. Klang began forming with patches of settlements
Development – 1961 Amenities and services collectively accommodate the community of Klang. Bridges like the Kota bridge for vehicular and pedestrian to cross to the southern of Klang. Road networks as well as pedestrian pavements are made for easing movements throughout the town.
Passivity - Present The many opportunities resented elsewhere, this made this place of the site along Jalan Besar at a passive state whereby the social vibrancy s towards completing errands in peoples’ daily routine.
Sisavangvong Street The beautiful relic of a town, Luang Prabang, is situated at the northern segment in Laos, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. It is considered by many travellers and writers as being the centre of the Laotian culture. The tiny town is surrounded by vast tall, majestic mountains and 700 metres above sea level at the convergence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. The street span riddled with commercialized homes-turned shop lots spanning along the 711.6 metres along the street of Sisavangvong Road. The road being the main street which bisects the thumb-shaped stretch of land between the Mekong and the Nam Khan and lies by the heart of the city - main tourist necessities and hotspots. Religious ceremonies like the Baci ceremony and Tak Bat Ritual brings meaning to the place as it reminds the street of cultural influence and traditional aspects in Luang Prabang. These aspect attract locals as well as tourists gaining the street popularity-intensity levels of relationship in the “walk, walk, walk, see, walk� sensation of the street. Sisavangvong Road homes the entirety of a commercialize aspect with touristic activities, cultural festivals, a platform of ritual embarkment, as well as a local grocery market – Thus, making the street rather lively and vibrant with the influx of locals and tourists.
Figure 2: Market along Sisavangvong Road from the Royal Palace Museum. (image courtesy of: Laos Guide 999, n.d.)
The morphology - Laos
History - 1975 Invasion of China militia and obeyed French involvement for protection. The Palace was rebuilt for King Sisavangvong by the French. Later, communism threw off the Laos monarchy in Luang Prabang.
Homage- 1995 The city was given UNESCO World Heritage status as an initiative too preserve culture and historyarchitecture and city’s profile. Development are towards the touristic commercialism of the town.
Heredity preservation - Present The city was given UNESCO World Heritage status as an initiative too preserve culture and historyarchitecture and city’s profile. Development are towards the commercialism of the place.
The comparison – Jalan Besar, Klang & Sisavangvong Road, Laos Adapted from Jahn Gehl’s Life Between Buildings, it is studied whereby the context of urban profile and public life intertwines with the positive quality in urban life.
Diagram 1: Relationship of outdoor activities and quality of environment. (image courtesy of: G. Jahn, 1971, Life between buildings: Using Public Space, pg. 11)
It is later stated in the book whereby the relationship between contacts draws intensity of the public space. The closer the relationship, the higher then intensity. This hypothesize where the specific hotspot or contact point as a quality of a node as how the type of people interact within the space and - the relationship of people that is formulated in relation of the place
Diagram 2: The concept of varying degrees of contact intensity is the basis of the following simplified outline of various contact forms. (image courtesy of: G. Jahn, 1971, Life between buildings: Using Public Space, pg. 15)
The elaboration of the outline in life between building represents mainly the low-intensity contacts at a lower scale. Although insignificant, this are independent contact forms and as prerequisites for other, more complex interactions that relates to see, hear, and meet which includes – contact at a modest level, a possible starting point for contact at other levels, a possibility for maintaining already established contacts, a source of information about the social world outside, a source of inspiration, an offer of stimulating experience. (G. Jahn, 2011, p.15)
1.0 Food as a necessary activity - Similarities of an eatery node Looking at liveable aspect in life along the street of Chong Kok Kopitiam and Luang Prabang’s morning market.
Jalan Besar
Chong Kok Chong
Kok Kopitiam is a renowned coffee shop with their authentic “kopitiam-style” in Klang. Thus, this is a landmark where high intensity of influx in locals and visitor. Chong Kok establishes close contacts often at times as customers would be placed at tables sometimes, at arms length, close to each other or sharing tables. This forms the high intensity of close contact with one another customer. Thus, high level of chance contacts and can potentially become acquaintances to friend Figure 3: Interactions along Chong Kok five-foot walkway relationship. “Contacts that develop spontaneously in connection (image courtesy of: Famousin, with merely being where there are others are usually very fleeting 2018) – a short exchange of words, or a brief discussion”. (Gehl, 2011, p.19) During the day, active business period, there is a high intensity of contacts relationship of a contact point; but contact intensity diminishes as the shop closes at night. The active frontage in the form of a positive outdoor space by Chong Kok Kopitiam is through the visual connection with Jalan Besar; the extending of business in close relation to the street. Figure 4: Close tables placements This gentrifies interest through the depth of the space within the (image courtesy of: vkeong, 2016) kopitiam which establishes the sense of ‘see & hear’ relationship. Thus allowing passive social engagements. Spatial Quality: Sheltered, intimate restaurant Necessary activity: a place of eateries JALAN BESAR
High intensity of a contact point (during the day) Low intensity of a contact point (during evening)
Diagram 1: The interaction between the activities within the space in relation of Jalan Besar- The visual relation of activity intensity from the street to the interior of the space.
Sisavangvong Street
Morning market Similarly with Chong Kok, this street is a tourists spot to eat as well as a market to the local. Exotic delicacies and fresh groceries invites high intensity of tourists and locals to the alleys. “It is generally true that people and human activities attract other people. People are attracted to other people”. (Gehl, 2011, p.23) as the placemaking of the market generates interest of the people. Customers will be seen squeezing the narrow alleys. Unlike Chong Kok, the morning market lacks public seating spaces as a comfort to having the delicacies here; the market possess similar traits with our local “pasar malam” whereby we purchase goods and items and proceed with our journey.
Figure 5: The morning market between alleys. (image courtesy of: Landlopers, 2012)
Due to the lacking of a public seating space, this encourages the intensity of passive contacts with one another within the market where people just seeing and hearing other people. The nature of the alley as a tourists destination high level of social activity. In such environment, chance and passive contacts prevails simultaneously whereby the activity is generated by a balance influx of locals and tourists. Similarly, both Chong Kok and the Morning market sees a decline in contact intensity as the day rests. The close proximity between stall placements and pathways riddles throughout the alley. This impose intimacy among the contact of one another.
1200mm – 1500mm
Figure 6: Crowded market (image courtesy of: Laos tours, n.d.) Spatial Quality: Intimate long stretch of the back lane Necessary activity: Buying fresh groceries, having traditional exotic delicacies High intensity of a contact point (during the day) Low intensity of a contact point (during afternoon)
Diagram 2: the intimate scale of the passable space resembles the close proximity of vendors with one another. This reflects the intimate relationship among people.
2.0 Converging Junction - Paths that leads to a direction Exchange of circulations in & out of the street.
Jalan Besar
Junction by the KTM The junction by KTM
Klang holds significance as it’s a high intensity node for exchanging circulations in a form of vehicle as well as foot. People reluctantly accept large deviations from the deter-mined main direction, and if the goal is in sight, they tend to steer directly toward it. (Gehl, 2011, p.137). This is apparent by the junction of KTM as the changes in foot circulation to the other side of the road through traffic circulation in-between. low intensity with passive contacts among people crossing the junction.
Figure 7: Vehicles one way circulation. (image courtesy of: GoogleMaps, 2018)
Figure 8: Exchanging directions in front of the KTM The fast-pace motion perceives the contact as a more of a “hi- (image courtesy of: KLIA2, n.d.)
bye” form of contact point. Although, the junction is a major issue onto circulation safety, the locals are fond into accepting the risk and proceed onto their journey, as stated, “Despite the fact that it can be tiring to walk when the entire distance to a far destination is in sight, it is still more tiring and unacceptable to be forced to use routes other than the direct one when the destination is in sight.” (Gehl, 2011, p.141). T-Junction of Jalan Besar
Diagram 3: The intersection of circulation where foot traffic merges with vehicular circulation at the end of Jalan Besar.
Spatial Quality: Wide, unobstructed path Necessary activity: Walking Low intensity of a contact point (passive contact)
Sisavangvong Street
Morning market Similarly
with Jalan Besar, the access of Sisavangvong Road inwards to the deeper region of the land through here.
Figure 9: The wide pavement with tents pitched up (image courtesy of: GoogleMaps, 2018)
It is seen that the beginning of Sisavangvong Road is the access road to the upper region of Luang Prabang. Thus, the contact would adhere passive contact however, the presence of a nearby marketplace and seating area formulates a moderate intensity amongst the movement of local and tourists.
Figure 10: Market place forming during the evening before the Night Nevertheless during the night, the marketplace becomes a dining Market starts heaven for everyone. This results into being a high intensity of a (image courtesy of: GoogleMaps, contact point where close relationship of people mass the 2018)
pavement for the cultural feast for the night.
Spatial Quality: Wide open steet and pavement with seating Necessary activity: Eateries, pathway for access Optional activity: Seating, sightseeing, food & craft stalls. Moderate intensity of a contact point High intensity of a contact point (during night)
Diagram 4: The public realm of which in turns, become vibrant in the night while provides a place for rest during the day- An everchanging realm.
3.0 Active frontages - Streets’ urban wall Impression of the street which underlies the quality of a streets character. The presence of a positive quality of a public realm.
Jalan Besar
Five-foot walkways Five-foot walkways are described as the sense of place in Klang where shop owners strategize their business expansion along these spaces. The intimate wide scale stretch of the pedestrian shed walkway which are connected shoplots to shoplots creates the quality of a path-space relationship whereby a person will gladly feel the everchanging realm of the spaces’ character. These acts as stopping points along the path - opportunity for chance contact, especially amongst the locals and visitors The opportunity to see, hear, and meet others can also be shown to be one of the most important attractions in city centres and on pedestrian streets. (Gehl, 2011, p.28). To elaborate, these active frontages generates interests to the pedestrians whilst walking through the shaded pathway. Creating liveability whilst character of the street thus the public realm of Jalan Besar.
Figure 9: Yap Kee’s tables and chairs placed along the walkway (image courtesy of: T. Wong, 2018)
Figure 10: different shoplots, different shop. (image courtesy of: W. Jyia, 2018)
Spatial Quality: Long stretch of covered pathway, spilled with retails’ extension of business Necessary activity: Shopping interests Diagram 5: Everchanging presence in change of a public realm Low intensity of a contact where the businesses varies from stores to stores. Thus creating point (passive contact) the dynamic appeal of activities from shoplots to shoplots.
Sisavangvong Street
Shoplots Similarly
for the shoplots in Jalan Besar, the shoplots in Sisavangvong streets are orientated to the streets as well. Their commercial approach is towards the touristic aspects as their local economy of the town. Also, the active frontages are within street level as similar with Klang whereby activities of interests are placed at the same level of the street. Creating visual permeability for the visitors. The only difference the shoplots in Sisavangvong is: the levels above street levels are vibrant; visual connection of local dwelling. The locals interacting within the spaces on the first floor can be seen, or the general cleanliness and tidiness of the openings indicates the use of viewing by the locals inside the house. The result of this as a moderate contact intensity point as this street responds to the “walk, walk, walk, stop, see, walk.� whereby pedestrians passes by each other.- a contact point for chance and acquaintances.
Figure 10: Shop lot street (image courtesy of: tripadvisor, 2018)
Figure 12: People walking around, and on the balcony of the shoplots (image courtesy of: availablelight.ca , n.d.) Spatial Quality: Wide street with shophouses Necessary activity: Shopping activities, walking from the other end
Diagram 6: Vibrancy of street and built form, locals can be observed from street level. Thus, formulating a street identity.
Optional activity: Seating, sightseeing, Moderate intensity of a contact point
4.0 Historical attractions - landmark as a point of interest Both street retains and preserve historical aspect whereby the it once embodies a collection of memory through space and form. Thus, the conservation method into an illusion of built form value.
Jalan Besar
Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery The
gallery is about the former Selangor Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah. It once was conquest by invaders and foreign residents as a place for administration. This gallery grandly placed by the junction of the road where Jalan Besar begins. The clear, unobstructed view of the palace from street level approaching inwards to Jalan Besar. The constant visual relation to this gallery signifies this reputable node as a form of an attraction landmark. Upon entering the gallery, the notion in perception of entering a different realm is apparent as spaces and courtyards formulated within the grand built form separates the “physical dimension” into the “memory dimension” where relics and artefacts are exhibited within closed doors.
Figure 11: Sultan Abdul Aziz Gallery by the junction of Jalan Besar (image courtesy of: iGhost, 2008)
“By virtue of their evolution, these cities and city spaces have built-in qualities that are found only in a few exceptional cases in cities from later periods.” (Gehl, 2011, p.41). Whereby the different physicality of the setting translates into a perception of different real. A quality outdoor realm where people can have a Figure 12: Landscape courtyard of stroll whilst enjoying the comfortable environment in contrast a peaceful internal realm. with the bustling circulation of Jalan Besar. This contact points (image courtesy of: iGhost, 2008) propose a passive relationship with one another – as the interaction are commonly individual as the space is made clear Spatial Quality: for exhibition with one’s own pace as clearly shown in the figure Quiet, open, clean landscape courtyard completed with below. ornaments, and water features. Necessary activity: sightseeing., touring Figure 13: Exhibition clear interior layout (image courtesy of inwan, n.d.)
Jalan Besar
Courtyard
Low intensity of a contact point
Exhibition Diagram 7: sectional relationship of the quiet spaces with the loud street of Jalan Besar.
Sisavangvong Street
Royal Palace Museum of Luang Prabang The Royal Palace, like Sultan Abdul Aziz Gallery in Klang, holds clear depiction of history metaphored through built form and scale. The only difference with the one in Klang and in Luang Prabang is: vibrancy – public activity gladly occurs here.
Figure 14: Shop lot street (image courtesy of: tripadvisor, 2018)
Figure 12: People walking around, and on the balcony of the shoplots (image courtesy of: availablelight.ca , n.d.)
Diagram 8: The diagram depicts the public & religious event carried out by the locals of Luang Prabang by the Palace of Royal Museum.
Spatial Quality: Cluster of enclosed spaces within compound.
Local community whilst visitors gather here periodically for cultural and religious events. The wide compound of the royal Palace holds a ballet theatre (where performances are held), and Hwa Pha Bang (a temple to enshrine the Phra Bang Buddha). Events like praying and theatre play occurs quite often and this attract the attention of tourist and locals to enjoy and experience the event. It is explained that “Religious services, concerts, theatre, performances, sidewalk cafés, exhibitions, play, and dance can coexist in the square. The ensuing result has been a much higher level of overall participation of the townspeople in the various activities.” (Gehl, 2011, p.41) whereby local and visitors gather and attain an enriching experience of the cultural event - visitors socializing with locals thus starting off an opportunity to intertwine with one another and forming an intensity of a contact point.
Necessary activity: Shopping activities, walking from the other end, prayers Optional activity: Touring, sightseeing, siting down by the stair-seats in front of Hwa Pha Bang High intensity of a contact point
5.0 Spontaneous fests - Impromptu public spaces Informal spaces are intended to be utilized as something else, in turn a platform for activities which encourages social interaction
Jalan Stesen 1
Empty Carpark Although
Klang perceived as a rather stagnant suburban town of a lifestyle where it is domesticated as being part of a commercial-service aspect of an establishment. To conceive this place as a form of liveability, initiatives has been carried out by the municipal and the community of “ We love Klang” to embrace their culture in the form of a temporal cultural celebration – “Klang Heritage Festival”. “The ability to hear music, song, shouts, and speech, that contribute to making the walk interesting and enriching.” (Gehl, 2011, p.167) states that the studently of an event occurrence injects interest along the street thus giving it a sense of local character of a positive public realm. The positive outdoor activity creates interests of being a high intensity of a contact point. Social gathering of people; meeting, and chatting whilst involve themselves in such event.
Figure 15: participants getting ready for the annual “ Treasure Hunt” (image courtesy of: We Love Klang, 2018)
The wide open private spaces of prevailing car parking perimeters are rented out to be utilised as for the platform of celebration.
Figure 16: Published material of the cultural event that took place at Klang (image courtesy of: We love Figure 17: The wide open carpark as a staging place for the Klang, 2018)
festival to begin. The initiative of the shared property as a public place creates the sense of place for the community of Klang, thus creating positive atmosphere of a realm.
Spatial Quality: Open empty settings. Necessary activity: Festival High intensity of a contact point
Diagram 7: The festival span across the street from one side to the other in Jalan Stesen 1.
Sisavangvong Street
Night Market of Luang Prabang Cultural
festivals and traditional markets are the epitome to rejuvenate ones’ town. Luang Prabang celebrates this aspect by spanning the market throughout the whole street of Sisavangvong Road. “Prime concept that everyday life, ordinary situations, and spaces in which daily life is lived must form the centre of attention and effort. This concept is expressed by three modest, yet fairly broad requirements of public spaces: desirable Figure 17: Night Market with Hwa Pha Bang by the background conditions for the necessary outdoor activities, desirable (image courtesy of: conditions for the optional, recreational activities, desirable guidevoyageasie, 2018) conditions for the social activities.” (Gehl, 2011, p.51) as Gehl further elaborated that being able toe to move about easily and confidently, and to linger in cities, as well as to be able to take pleasure in city’s cultural life, as it results to the a from of contact point to gather and meet. The cultural attraction offers possibilities of a form of a high intensity of a contact point whereby close relationship of people gather and explore; the possibility into meeting new people to develop Figure 10: Tourist hotspot for its exotic cuisine spontaneously in connection with (image courtesy of: visitlaos, n.d.) merely being where there are others are as briefly explained by Jan Gehl.
Figure 11: People mountain, people sea. The every night routine. (image courtesy of: visitlaos, n.d.) Spatial Quality: Wide street with shophouses Necessary activity: Shopping activities, walking from the other end
Diagram 8: The span of the cultural night market attraction along Sisavangvong Road.
Optional activity: Seating, sightseeing, High intensity of a contact point
CONCLUSION
Conversely, both streets celebrates common events; but differs in experience. It is evident as the street in Luang Prabang, Sisavangvong road, where history attain its value of the street identity – history embodied through the abstract of time. The heed in the time for the street adapted to the modern age to appeal and attain exposure as a vacation destination. Although Sisavangvong Road do still inherit such religious culture and tradition along the street such as temple prayers, morning markets, and the famous Night Market. However, in Klang, Jalan Besar formulates the working lifestyle atmosphere of the society there. The street vehicle friendly and retails operate through trade, eateries, finance, travel agencies, as well as a wholesale school attire supply shop. This street creates dialogue with the street to the people indicating the commercial service for the people. To balance with history, the street does hold the “quiet” realm - a dimension still within its time. Primarily, old thriving businesses, like Chong Kok, still riddle along the street. The preservation of history and people. Economic function as the liveability of a city. Even though, the titled of UNESCO being bestowed upon Luang Prabang. Obtaining the initiative of a UNESCO conservation act is a beneficial matter as the street will go through rejuvenation thus setting up the atmosphere to be more appealing for the touristic aspect of the place. This, in sense, results to the fading of the historic value of the street. Jalan Besar accedes the contrary. Jalan Besar, bestowed the name of a “Heritage city” by the community and the municipal, experiences different atmosphere – Historical dimension. This is represented through the people, lifestyle as well as the built form along the street. In short, this accumulation of this aspects gentrifies character not only of the street; but with the city as a whole. As Jan Gehl mentioned “Such an extension of opportunities for outdoor stays exactly where everyday activities take place will almost without exception be a valuable contribution to a given function and to life between buildings in the building project, in the neighbourhood, and in the city.” as how he emphasize the importance of vibrancy of activity in the urban context of the people inhabiting the place. Therefore, it is critical to acknowledge this contact points in the urban milieu of this street as these points creates the dynamic in life of a city.
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