Theories of architecture and urbanism

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN Centre for Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA) Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture Module: Theories of Architecture & Urbanism (ARC61303) Week 10- 5 June 2019 Project (Part 2) Comparative Analysis Essay Guidelines BACHELORLecture: OF SCIENCE ( HONOURS LT-7 , Tutorial: E4.04-05 ) IN ARCHITECTURE

Theories Of Architecture & Urbanism [ Arc 61303 ]

Comparative Analysis Essay Natalie Chen KheMin 0327110 Mr. Nicholas Ng

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01. abstract

table of contents .

02. introduction 2.1 introduction to local street - Kajang ,Malaysia 2.2 introduction to asian street - Serangoon Road , Singapore 03 contact points 3.1 contact points of local street 3.2 contact points of asian street 04 contact intensity analysis 4.1 patterns of social activities 05 comparison analysis 5.1 contact point A - privatization of public realm 5.2 contact point B- public spaces 5.3 contact point C - designated outdoor eating spaces 5.4 contact point D - openness of a public space 5.5 contact point E - conditions of 5 foot way 06 conclusion 07 reference

2

abstract .

In the first part of this assignment , we are required to do a case study on an asian street within your existing studio group . We were assigned to research on Serangoon Road in Singapore.

This is the second part of the assignment , we are to do a comparative analysis essay of what we found from the case study and our local street which is Kajang ,Malaysia.

We need to identify the similarities and dissimilarities , based on social activities , type of contact points and the varying degrees of contact intensity between these two cities.

Using reference of Jan Gehl’s “ Life Between Buildings : Using Public Spaces ”

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2.1 introduction to local street

k ajang ,malaysia .

Kajang is a town in southeastern Selangor , located about 20 km from Malaysia’s city centre Kuala Lumpur.

According to Wikipedia , Kajang’s population of 342,657 is consist of 60.4 % Malay , 19.3 % Chinese , 9.7% Indians and 10.6% of other ethnic groups . ( circa 201 )

1850 Though it was not named Kajang then , but it was first inhabited by the Temuan people.

They are proto-malay ethic group indigenous to westerns parts of Peninsular Malaysia.

1776 Toh Lili and 6 of his friends asked Sultan to use his lands for paddy cultivation.When their agriculture industry grew , the Temuans retreated inwards from the river and into undeveloped lands.

1867 - 1873 After the war of Klang ( 1867-1873 ), Raja Berayun ruled Kajang with the title of Tengku Panglima Besar.

1890 Tin mining was the earliest industries in Kajang, it took place along the small town of Rekoh ( presently Jalan Reko ) 1970 plenty of chinese and indian migrants inhabited the 3 initial areas of Kajang which is Jalan Mendaling , Jalan Tukang and Jalan Tengah , as labourers and traders.

1980 Though tin mining may have been the first industry in Kajang , but the rubber plantations revolutionised the economy of Kajang.The Mendailings who had founded the settlement of Kajang moved upstream to established and settled in Hulu Langat

Today Today , many commercial high rises are developed in Kajang area such as Plaza Metro and Metro Avenue MRT Station at Jalan Sulaiman.

1580

1776

1860

1880

1890

today.

morphology of Kajang !4

2.2 introduction to asian street

serangoon road ,singapore .

Serangoon Road is a major street in Singapore , running from Little India to Kallang. It is a one-way road infused with Jalan Besar and Bendemeer Road , in parallel to Serangoon Road.

It was an unplanned designated area for the Indian community in the Raffles Town Plan of 1823 , which presently called Little India , one of the cultural centres for the Indian community.

2 to 4-storey Art Deco shophouses lined Serangoon Road which moves in a southwestern and Northeastern direction. The urban fabric consists of the grid of main streets, side streets ,back alleys and open spaces. The side streets are skewed in an acute angle to the main street possibly because the private roads led off to the neighbouring bungalows.

1820s Serangoon Road began as an important artery of commerce and transport to Serangoon Harbour. It was used as a brick kiln industry and cattle farming.

1826 Thousands of Indians from Southern Indian Muslim and Middle Castle Hindu groups came to Serangoon Road as farmers and construction workers.

1860s The brick kilns were discontinued , the development of Serangoon Road was centred around agricultural enterprise and trade.

1880 The Indian population of the area grew to a large number including the Northern Indians.

1936 Cattle farming was discontinued.Indians in the area continued to reside there.

1989 Little India was conserved , gazetted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority .

Today Serangoon Road is a hub of activity for the Indian community, livelier especially on religious festivals such as Thaipusam and Deepavali.

morphology of Serangoon Road

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3.1

contact point A

01. Plaza Metro Kajang , Jalan Tun Abdul Haziz

main road secondary street

Plaza Metro Kajang is the only commercial shopping mall in Kajang thus it is frequent by all user groups.This street consists of commercial shop-lots that specialize in retail as well as services.The mall’s ground floor is receded ,to allow the continuity of 5 foot walkways of the shoplots , however like the rows of shoplots down the street , it is overspill with merchandise as well as extension of eating areas during the night. As Jan Ghel has stated ,”The combination of heavy vehicular traffic and unnecessary illegal parking obstructions and wide street crossings ( approx.8m) , it results in unreasonable restrictions on pedestrian traffic during rush hour” ( Gehl 2011 ,pg 139 ) such as 5-7pm.

Length of street: 158 m Intensity of Contact:Day : High Night : Low Movement Speed: Medium

Type of activities :Necessary activities : 1. Walking 2. Shopping 3. Waiting for a friend to get off work

kiosks

Optional activities : 1. Standing outside 2. Siting by the curb 3. Enjoying the wind Resultant activities ( social activities)

^ Sectional elevation of the street

1. Talking to the vendors 2. Chit-chatting with friends 3. Children playing around the spacious lobby area.

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3.1

contact point A

01. Campbell Street , Serangoon Road

main road secondary street Campbell Lane is a fully-pedestrainized street, the shophouses comprise of an array of eateries and boutique shops.

Sights and sounds from the shops spill out onto the five-foot-ways and the street, animating the edge and allowing events to grow towards the middle. However the physical environment of paved walkway and slow movement speed help reduce the experienced distance of walking making them linger longer in the area (Gehl 2011, pg 141) Secondary seating is offered by the Indian Heritage building to encourage contact intensity , pedestrians can wait while siting on the steps as well as enjoy the weather. “ Attraction on pedestrian streets� creates opportunity to see, hear and meet others.

Length of street: 80 m Intensity of Contact: Day: High Night : Moderate Movement Speed: Low Type of activities :Necessary activities : 1. Running an errand 2. Shopping 3. shortcut crossing from Serangoon Road to Clive Street 4. Walking into the Indian Heritage Centre Optional activities : 1. Standing outside 2. Siting by the steps 3. Drawing by the side of the street 4. Taking photographs Resultant activities ( social activities) 1. Bargaining with the vendors 2. Taking photographs 3. Children playing on the wide vehicular-free street.

^ Sectional elevation of the street

4. Chit-chatting with friends while enjoying food offered by the vendors

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3.2

contact point B

02. BUS STOP , JALAN TUKANG

main road secondary street

The next contact point is this bus stop which is located on an open space with minimal steel benches and a few trees , this space is created through two rows of converging shop houses and became a void. Pedestrian of all ages wait here for either the MRT and RapidKL , during rush hour it also became a pick up point for school kids/ workers.This bus stop edges one of the busiest road in Kajang as it is a convergence of Jalan Reko and Jalan Besar with a long traffic light ahead.

Length of street: 18 m Intensity of Contact:Day : High Night : Low Movement Speed: Low

Type of activities :Necessary activities : 1. Walking 2. Standing 3. Waiting for buses Optional activities : 1. Siting on the bench 2. Walking around the bus stop 3. Enjoying the wind Resultant activities ( social activities) 1. Talking to other pedestrians 2. Chit-chatting with friends

^ Sectional elevation of the street

3. Taking photos

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3.2

contact point B

02. BUS STOP , BUFFALO ROAD

main road secondary street ^ Sectional elevation of the street

^ Sectional elevation of the street

The next contact point is a big bus stop for people who want to get down to Campbell Lane or Little Indian. Furthermore it caters to occupants of Tekka Centre and students from schools nearby ,adjacent to the bus stop is a small park that encourage all varying degrees of contact activities .Even when well-developed systems of parks and pedestrian routes are available, children of all ages spend most of their time outdoors in or alongside of the access roads.( Gehl 2011 , pg 25 )

Length of street: 18 m Intensity of Contact:Day : High Night : Low Movement Speed: Low Type of activities :Necessary activities : 1. Walking 2. Standing 3. Waiting for buses

Optional activities : 1. Siting on the bench 2. Walking around the bus stop 3. Enjoying the wind Resultant activities ( social activities) 1. Talking to other pedestrians 2. Chit-chatting with friends 3. Taking photos of the environment

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3.3

contact point C

03. ARKED MARA , JALAN REKO

main road secondary street ^ Sectional elevation of the street Arked Mara is an open concept mall with many storefronts facing outwards with a large atrium inside that functions as an open space with potential activities happening from time to time such as music performance , bazaar sales and extension of restaurants.Resultant activities here takes place outside because of the positive external weather. During the day , this open space is only viable for necessary activities for pedestrians who wants to cross from the high way to the parking lot behind Arked Mara. However during the night , Arked Mara has vendors selling food to customers who are siting outside on temporary seating areas with proper tables and chairs .This is an aspect of our local food culture , many people tend to frequent here as it is the one of the only eateries open till late in Kajang.

Length of street: Intensity of Contact: Day: low Night : low to Moderate Movement Speed: Low Type of activities :Necessary activities : 1. Walking into the Arked Mara mall 2. Going to work 3. Eating at the pop-up stalls at night ( as highlighted in fig x. )

Optional activities : 1. Standing outside 2. Leaning by the pillar to enjoy the weather 3. Taking photographs Resultant activities ( social activities) 1. Talking to strangers 2. Taking photographs of family 3. Interaction with shop owners

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3.3

contact point C

03. AMARAVATI FOOD COURT , KERBAU ROAD

main road secondary street

This partial outdoor food court is stationed opposite of Tan Teng Niah , a colourful villa which is a well-known historical landmark in Singapore. Pedestrians can frequent the food court when they visit the villa and they can choose to sit outside where they can eat and enjoy the view of the picturesque view.As Gehl states in “ Senses, Communication and Dimensions“ , the primary seatings provided in a way that people can move closer together or lean forward in their chairs ( Gehl 2011 , pg 67 ) hence increasing intimacy and heighten communication of the people.

Length of street: 80 m Intensity of Contact: Day: High Night : Moderate Movement Speed: Low Type of activities :Necessary activities :

villa

1. Eating 2. Walking into Tan Teng Niah 3. Waiting for the bus Optional activities : 1. Standing outside 2. Siting on the planter box 3. Drawing 4. Taking photographs Resultant activities ( social activities)

^ Sectional elevation of the street

1. Bargaining with the vendors 2. Taking photographs with family 3. Children playing on the wide vehicular-free street.

4. Chit-chatting with friends while enjoying food offered by the vendors

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3.4

contact point D

04. TIN HONG SZE TEMPLE , LORONG MENDAILING

main road secondary street Tin Hong Sze Temple is partially hidden , hidden from the views from Jalan Tukang as it is behind a row of shop lots .However pedestriansare able to see this heavily ornamented building as they walk through the back alley and into Lorong Mendailing. The temple is orientated in such a way that the front gate is facing the main road and leads straight into the entrance of the temple , this creates a visual hierarchy.The steps on the entrance gates are often use as secondary seating for tired pedestrians or even homeless people , it is a modest butefficient way of showing life between buildings as it can used as a shelter from direct sunlight and rain.

Length of street: 12 m Intensity of Contact: Day: Moderate Night : None Movement Speed: Low Type of activities :Necessary activities : 1. Walking 2. Praying 3. Parking Optional activities : 1. Standing outside 2. Finding shade under the front gate 3. Taking photographs Resultant activities ( social activities) 1. Talking to fellow worshippers

^ Sectional elevation of the street

2. Praying together 3. Interaction with groundkeepers

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3.4

contact point D

04. SRI VEERAMAKALIAMMAN TEMPLE , BELILOS ROAD

main road secondary street The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple located at this junction was the first temple of Serangoon Road . Indians from other parts of Singapore come here to worship, especially Tuesdays and Fridays . At the converging junction of Serangoon road and Belilos road , it is frequent by many pedestrians to cross the vehicular traffic on Serangoon Road. The Hindu community gather in the temple to carry out their religious rites regardless of exterior environment. It is very populated during Thaipusam and Deepavali. Communal activity takes place within the public space provided by the temple. However, the offset of the temples interior from the road gives it more privacy and disengages passive contact with the regular pedestrian.

Length of street: 120 m Intensity of Contact: Day: low to moderate Night : low to moderate Movement Speed: moderate Type of activities :Necessary activities : 1. Walking 2. Going to work 3. Greeting the pujaris /pundits (priest) Optional activities : 1. Standing outside 2. Leaning by the pillar to enjoy the weather 3. Taking photographs Resultant activities ( social activities) 1. Talking to fellow worshippers 2. Interaction with tourists

^ Sectional elevation of the street

3. Communal activities during festivals

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3.5

contact point E

05. BUS STOP , JALAN BESAR

main road secondary street

^ Sectional elevation of the street This bus stop is well-shaded from the trees planted by the 5 foot walkway of the shophouses , thus a lot of pedestrians tend to stay there while waiting for the next bus or just siting there and enjoying the shaded area as this part of Kajang lack of proper shaded areas despite the implementation of 5 foot walkways . The bus stop borrows the space of the shop’s frontage , creating a gathering of people at different times of the day thus this creates passive contacts — seeing and hearing a great number of unknown people ( Gehl 2011, pg 13) . This bus stop creates opportunity for people to connect at modest levels and a source of life between buildings.

Length of street: 12 m Intensity of Contact: Day: Moderate Night : None Movement Speed: Low Type of activities :Necessary activities : 1. Walking 2. Waiting for the bus 3. Looking into the merchandise display at the storefront

Optional activities : 1. Standing outside 2. Petting stray cats 3. People -watching Resultant activities ( social activities) 1. Asking for directions 2. Chit-chatting with classmates 3. Reprimanding children

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3.5

contact point E

05. BUS STOP , KERBAU ROAD

main road secondary street

^ Sectional elevation of the street The informal bus stop at the turning of Kerbau Road borrows the 5 foot walkway of storefronts in Kerbau Road , pedestrians can get in and out of the dropping point of Tan Teng Niah. It does not have a proper bus station shelter but it has minimal requirement for pedestrians to safely get on and out. It does not provide proper seatings because people don’t stop and linger around here as well as allow people who are waiting for the bus to wander around the shop lots. However , pedestrians does sit on the railings provided as secondary seating and it results in more interesting city elements and permits a greater diversity in the use of the city space.

Length of street: 12 m Intensity of Contact: Day: Moderate Night : None Movement Speed: Low

Optional activities : 1. Standing outside 2. Siting on the railings

Type of activities :-

3. Taking photographs

Necessary activities :

Resultant activities ( social activities)

1. Walking

1. Bargaining with vendors

2. Eating

2. Ordering food

3. Looking into storefronts

3. Interaction with strangers

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4.0

p atterns of social activiti es

According to Jan Gehl’s “ Life Between Buildings : Using Public Spaces”, he simplified outdoor activities into three categories which are necessary activities , optional activities and social activities .

Necessary activities are everyday tasks and pastimes that are usually compulsory such as going to school/work , waiting for your transportation or walking to your workplace. In other words , it is an activity that pedestrian more or less are required to perform.

These activities will take place daily ,throughout the years and under nearly all conditions. Majority is related to walking.

Secondly , optional activities only happen in favourable exterior conditions when the weather and place permits. This category involves out of the blue ideas such as taking a breather of fresh air , standing under the shade of a tree at the green space before lunch time ends or siting and basking in the sun.

Lastly , social activities are where activities are heavily dependent on crowds. This includes greeting acquaintances , children at play or active contacts such as participating in communal activities. Social activities can happen anywhere and anytime such as in dwellings ; gardens and private outdoor spaces , in public buildings ; places of works ,smoking area or even the lift lobbies. “ We can see how all these three categories interwoven finely together as people walk, sit and talk. Functional, recreational and social activities intertwine in all conceivable combinations ” [ Jan Gehl : pg. 14 ] Life between building comprises the entire spectrum of activities , in which combines to make communal spaces in cities and residential areas vibrant and lively. Hence, social activities or resultant activities occurs where necessary activities and optional activities are given better physical conditions in public spaces.

QUALITY OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT POOR

GOOD

NECESSARY ACTIVITIES

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

“RESULTANT” ACTIVITIES ( SOCIAL ACTIVITES ) ^ Graphic representation of the relationship between the quality of outdoor spaces and the rate of occurrence of outdoor activities

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4.1 varying degrees of contact intensity

4.1 contact intensi ty Degree of contact intensity

contact point A

Jalan Tukang ,Malaysia

Serangoon Road, Singapore

i. Plaza Metro Mall

ii. Campbell Street

Moderate to high intensity

Moderate to high intensity

PASSIVE CONTACTS

CHANCE CONTACTS

-

-Vendors promoting in loud voices

eye contact with fellow passers-by

CHANCE CONTACTS

ACQUAINTANCES

- Vendors trying to sell their merchandise

-Vendors greeting each other FRIENDS - Shopping with friends

contact point B

i. Bus Stop , Jalan Tukang

ii. Bus Stop , Buffalo Road

Moderate to high intensity

High intensity

PASSIVE CONTACTS

PASSIVE CONTACTS

-

eye contact with other people waiting for buses

CHANCE CONTACTS

-

Asking strangers for directions

ACQUAINTANCES

-

contact point C

Meeting mutual classmates

-

Passers-by of bus stop

ACQUAINTANCES

-

Greeting bus driver

FRIENDS

-

Talking to familiar faces

i. Arked Mara Mall , Jalan Tukang

ii. Amaravati , Kerbau Road

Low to moderate intensity

Moderate to high intensity

PASSIVE CONTACTS

CHANCE CONTACTS

-

-

eye contact with vendors

CHANCE CONTACTS

-

Looking into storefronts

FRIENDS - Hanging out with friends

Ordering food from vendors

ACQUAINTANCES

-

Talking to co-workers

FRIENDS

-

Sharing food

CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS

-

Taking photos of each other

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4.1 varying degrees of contact intensity

4.1 contact intensi ty Degree of contact intensity

Jalan Tukang ,Malaysia

i. contact point D

Tin Hong Sze Temple

Serangoon Road, Singapore

ii. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

low to moderate intensity

Moderate to high intensity

PASSIVE CONTACTS

PASSIVE CONTACTS

-

fellow worshippers

CHANCE CONTACTS

-

Interacting with fellow worshippers

ACQUAINTANCES

-

Talking to strangers

-

fellow worshippers

CHANCE CONTACTS

-

Interacting with fellow worshippers

ACQUAINTANCES

-

Talking to groundkeepers

FRIENDS -Praying together

contact point E

i. Bus Stop , Jalan Besar

ii. Bus Stop , Kerbau Road

Moderate to high intensity

low to moderate intensity

PASSIVE CONTACTS

PASSIVE CONTACTS

-

-

eye contact with other people waiting for buses

eye contact with other people waiting for buses

CHANCE CONTACTS

CHANCE CONTACTS

-

-

Looking into storefronts

Conversing with strangers

ACQUAINTANCES

-

Seeing mutual friends/co-workers

FRIENDS

-

taking the bus together to go hang out

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5.0

4.0 Grounds of comparison

g rounds of comparison

Jalan Tukang, Kajang, Malaysia and Serangoon Road , Singapore were chosen to be compared to each other because they’re both rich in culture as well as history. Both being asian streets can eased the scale of comparison ,therefore I am able to find similar contact points that both streets can be compared to :i. contact point A - privatization of public realm ii. contact point B- public spaces iii. contact point C - designated outdoor eating spaces iv. contact point D - openness of a public space v. contact point E - conditions of 5 foot way

Privatization of public realm can both affect the degree of contact intensity , these two streets has public realm that changes form and functions of daily interactions that takes place at community level but varies in results.

The public spaces I chose to compared in these two streets are bus stops , in which I felt are contact points as they are places of break in transition. Contact intensity of people varies heavily depending on the environment provided by these spaces.

Designated outdoor eating spaces are compared due to the likeliness of all pedestrians’ choices to determine if the placement of seating transfigure a sense of place which offer a good spatial and functional qualities of the location.The quality of outdoor environment influences a huge difference between the contact intensity Openness of a public space in which I’ve compared two different places of worship within urban context , both temples has open space in the front potentially results a change in types of activities despite both being a negative space .

The comparison of the fifth contact point caters to the contact intensity of people due to the different condition of public realm which I have selected the 5 foot walkway for this point.

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5.1

4.0 comparison analysis

compa rison analy sis

i. contact point A - Privatization of public realm

kios

^ Sectional elevation of the Jalan Tun Abdul Aziz street

^ Sectional elevation of the Campbell Lane

similarities The soft edge of Plaza Metro Mall becomes a multi-functional public realm when it opens up a space for vendors to lay their tents as well as allow pedestrians to walk by , it changes necessary activity of walking a dull corridor into the mall into a place for social interactions between pedestrians and vendors when they bargain the price of the vendor’s merchandise or when a mother asks their child if they want a new hair clip.

In like fashion , Campbell street has a soft edge provided from the Indian Heritage Centre . It has a wide berth for potential activities such as buskers performances , bazaar sales on special occasions like Christmas sales or a book festival. It serves purposes for optional activities such as siting on the stairs provided as secondary seating , enjoying the wind flowing in between buildings or sketching the architectural details of the historic shophouses.

dissimilarities Jalan Tun Abdul Aziz is a busy road with no proper walkway on the opposite side on other side of the road as it is the end side of the building and motorcycles and illegally parked cars lined the walls. It declines any act of contact intensity as people will be busy taking care of themselves while walking through the corridor and avoiding passive contacts to look out for potholes or uneven steps to prevent from falling.

In contrast ,Campbell street has became a fully- pedestrianised road which has greatly improved the pleasantness of a place thus increasing the types of outdoor activities more than the soft edge of the Plaza can. It unrestricted both the scope and character of outdoor activities for all age groups such as children can run free from their parents’ grasp and old people can cross the wide street without being pressured to walk faster for they’re afraid the pedestrian lights shall turn before they can reach the side walks.

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5.2

compa rison analy sis

ii. contact point B - public space

^ Sectional elevation of Jalan Tukang

^ Sectional elevation of Buffalo Road

similarities Jalan Tukang Bus stop has a rundown green space with minimal benches before they constructed a bus shelter with a roof recently . The negative space became a place of use when they added somewhat a green space with minimal benches and skinny trees , the degree of contact intensity was low as the local weather doesn’t permit any types of outdoor activities to take place.

By appointing a bus stop there , it changes a redundant space into a multi-functional open space . With different activities , form and people a rich perpetual mix , different users interpret the place in different ways , it takes on varied meanings (Bently, Alcock and Murrain, 2001) thus results in higher contact intensity.

Comparatively to the Buffalo Road , it is a proper sheltered bus stop that is significantly more active than the former bus stop we discussed. Also has a small green park , we can see pedestrian tend to linger around there rather than siting under the bus stop.

Movement at the edge of a space makes it possible to experience simultaneously both the large space as well as the small details of the street facade or the spatial boundary along which one walks ( gehl 2011 , pf 142 ) A larger path leads into the park that guides pedestrians towards the bus stop as well, it takes a longer time but necessary activities changes into optional activities of missing the next bus to sit down on the curb because the big tree is shielding the sun away.

dissimilarities Bus stop at Jalan Tukang is located on a redundant space , left out from two ends of two rows of shop lots , dissimilarly the bus stop on Buffalo Road is on the side of a wide road, borrowing space from the soft edge of the Teka Centre.Walking along the edge of a space gives two varied experiences instead of one , and in the dark or in bad weather , being able to move along a protection facade is, as a rule , a further advantage ( gehl 2011 , g 142 )

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5.3

4.0 comparison analysis

compa rison analy sis

iii. contact point C - designated outdoor eating spaces

villa

arked mara

^ Sectional elevation of the Arked Mara

^ Sectional elevation of the Amaravati

similarities These two spaces provides primary seatings for their customers and they’re both partially outdoors , however Arked Mara is located in a lower ground with the highway retaining wall as view and Amaravati has Tan Teng Niah as view. Customers tend to choose places with the best views even when they are not looking at the view while enjoying their bite of local cuisine in some cases.

As “ people attract people “ , the primary seatings provided can regulate intimacy of both locals and tourist alike in social situations and control the beginning and end of individual conversations. ( Gehl pg 67 ) The close approximate from one table to another allows customers to eat “together” in a way , sharing the same atmosphere can significantly make one’s mood more relax and friendlier.

dissimilarities Arked Mara only open their business at night as it is not sheltered from sun or rain , in contrast to Amaravati that opens 24 hours which has both indoors and outdoor seating area. The varies in spatial quality encourage pedestrians to go and check the space out after their visit to the colourful villa. The outdoor seating area has no obstructed view of the villa thus people tend to sit outdoor to eat or even just to make conversation with tourists ,resulting in high intensity of contact .

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5.4

4.0 comparison analysis

compa rison analy sis

iv. contact point D - openness of an open space

^ Sectional elevation of the open space in the temple

^ Sectional elevation of the open space in the temple

similarities Both are places of worship , places where people assemble during their need or festive occasions.

Both is orientated towards the street ,this represents a clear and consistent assembly of activities (Gehl 2011, pg 83) such as parking , walking and people gathering to make plans for the near future. The placement of the buildings and the orientation of the entrances in relation to pedestrian routes and open frontage areas are the determining factors in this sense of “openness�.

Pedestrians will be able to perceive the detail ornamentation of the temple due to their slower movement speed, adding to the visual appropriateness as a representation of the Indian community. (Bently, Alcock and Murrain, 2001)

dissimilarities The temple makes use of their open space by making it into a parking space limited to 10-15 cars , catering to old people who are weak in the knees .However they provided parking at around the temple as well ,whereas the temple in Belilos Road is smacked right beside a junction of a main road. It is hard to find place to stop and let people off from their choice of transportation.In cities and building projects of modest dimensions , narrow streets and small spaces , the buildings , building details and the people who move about in the spaces are experienced at close range and with considerable intensity . ( Gehl ,2011 pg.69 )

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5.5

4.0 comparison analysis

compa rison analysis

v. contact point E - Conditions of 5 foot way

^ Sectional elevation of Jalan Besar

^ Sectional elevation of Kerbau Road

similarities Both bus stops are placed in front of shophouses , thus the type of activities evoke from this environment is similar.

Pedestrians can wander around while waiting for their busses to arrive , they potentially create chance encounters when they look into the merchandise sold by the shops or vendors on the 5 foot walkway.

dissimilarities

Bus stop of Jalan Besar has large trees to shade pedestrians even with the help of a bus shelter , pedestrians would step out to view for the oncoming bus /traffic rather than hide in the shade. The physical environment are favourable for pedestrians to make social interactions with strangers as it does not make them agitated and impatient to be in an air-conditioned bus In contrast ,the bus stop on Kerbau Road has no trees nor a bus stop to shelter the people waiting , pedestrian would have to be creative if they wanted to rest , they can either stay under the five-foot walkway provided by the shophouses or they can sit on the railings as secondary seatings.

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As an outcome of the comparison , it is made clear that both streets of Jalan Tukang , Kajang and Serangoon Road , Singapore have similarities

conclu si on .

yet a slight differences in between.

Even though they both have similar contact points , has their own quality of built environment that contributes to varying degrees of contact intensity . It also influences their own types of outdoor activities as mentioned by Jan Gehl’s “ Life between buildings” the optional and resultant activities are an indication of the quality of the physical environment where a good environment can support a broad spectrum of human activities.

Serangoon Road is more well-planned than Jalan Tukang , in terms of pedestrian friendly and better public realm .However, Jalan Tukang has more lively aspects as they turned their lack thereof with privatizing of public realm . Turning boring old 5 foot walkway extending into selling their own merchandise that encourages social activities.

On the whole , it is shown that contact intensity in open spaces creates the good urban scene of life between buildings.Public realm and open spaces attracts people to their street scale , the soft edges with visual connection of activities thus shaping the space into a unique sense of place.

^ map of Serangoon Street

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“ An Ordinary Day On An Ordinary Street “ - Jan Gehl

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PUBLISHING REFERENCE

1) “Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space”, Jahn Gehl, (2011) 2) “Responsive Environment ”, Bentley Alcock Murain McGlynn Smith, (1985) 3) “ Cities for people “ ,Jan Gehl , (2010)

refere nce .

4) “ Image of the city “,Kevin Lynch , (1960) ONLINE REFERENCE

1) How to Write a Comparative Analysis ,cited from writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu 2) Positive Space by TEDX - The Endocrine Disruption Exchange , cited from https://www.ecosmithdesign.com/media/positive-space 3) The colorful community of Serangoon Road, then and now | Coconuts Singapore ( 2017 ) , cited from https://coconuts.co/singapore/lifestyle/picscolorful-community-serangoon-road-now 4) Photographs @ Archives Online , cited from http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details 9f661214-1162-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad 5) Wikipedia , Little India,Singapore , cited from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_India,_Singapore 6) Wikipedia , Kajang , Malaysia , cited from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kajang#cite_note-2 7) Wikipedia , Serangoon Road , Singapore , cited from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serangoon_Road 8) http://lanic.utexas.edu/project/etext/llilas/outreach/fulbright12/thomas/ thomas_comparative.pdf?

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