Comparative Analysis Essay

THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM (ARC61303)

PROJECT 2

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY

NG ZIEN LOON 0328565 TUTOR: MR. PRINCE FAVIS ISIP

BONIFACIO HIGH STREET, TAGUIG JALAN STESEN 1, KLANG

CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

01

1.1 Forewords

02

1.2 History & Morphology

03

2.0 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

08

2.1 Walkway and Storefront

09

2.2 Alley

13

2.3 Open Space

17

3.0 CONCLUSION

21

4.0 REFERENCES

22

01

INTRODUCTION 1.1

FOREWORDS

1.2

HISTORY & MORPHOLOGY

01 INTRODUCTION

02

FOREWORDS

Figure 1.1. Bonifacio High Street,

Taguig.

Figure 1.2. Jalan Stesen1, Klang.

Street is a public space in between buildings. It is the place where people from different buildings and places interact, and allows a wide variety of outdoor activities to take place. The mix of outdoor activities is influenced by the physical environment of the street (Gehl, 2011). The physical environment is composed of various factors such as the typology and scale of street, building frontage, open spaces, condition of the walkway, urban furniture, and climatic factor. Hence, different streets are defined by different factors, forming the physical environment of the public realm that shapes the unique character of the street.

The comparison between Bonifacio High Street, Taguig (Figure 1.1), and Jalan Stesen 1, Klang (Figure 1.2) examines the two distinct type of streets, where Bonifacio High Street is a recent planned development that conforms to the masterplan of the city , while Jalan Stesen 1 is an old and historical street that emerged as a resultant of local economic activities over the decades. The origin of both street results in drastic dissimilarity of their respective physical environment, magnifying the effect of physical framework to the activity along the street. By using these two case studies, the project aims to study the influences of physical environment to the public life by examining the similarities and dissimilarities between the two streets based on patterns of outdoor activities and the varying degrees of contact intensity in different typology of contact points.

01 INTRODUCTION

03

HISTORY & MORPHOLOGY Bonifacio High Street

Bonifacio High Street (Figure 1.3) is a mixed-use development that offers high-end retail, commercial and residential purposes, restaurant, amenities, and entertainment in Taguig. It is part of a planned development that conform to the masterplan of the city.

Figure 1.3. The current Bonifacio

High Street.

(Phillip and Gazel, 2011)

History

Figure 1.4. A multi-hectare portion

of Taguig that the United States government acquired in 1902 and operated as a military base. (Ayala Land Inc., 2017)

Figure 1.5. Bonifacio High Street in 2007. (Emmett, 2007)

Before it was built, that area was used for military training during Philippine-American War (Figure 1.4). In 1990s, approximately 240-hectares of the area was turned over to the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to facilitate the conversion of former military bases and camps into productive civilian use (Ayala Land Inc., 2017). By 2003, Ayala Land, Inc. and Evergreen Holdings, Inc. partnered with BCDA to help shape and develop the city (Figure 1.5). As the development of Bonifacio High Street expands, a linear strip of public realm is created which has greatly improved the connectivity and walkability of the city. Thus, an area once synonymous with war and aggression has been transformed into the amiable, nurturing, world-class business and residential center it is today.

01 INTRODUCTION

04

Morphology 1923 A bare ground for military training during Philippine-American War. Currently the location of Market Market!, marks the starting point of Bonifacio Global City (BGC) where Bonifacio High Street is part of the BGC.

2004 Bonifacio Circle was the biggest rotunda in Metro Manila with rather uninterrupted circular roads.

2007 Ayala Corporation decided to intersperse gridded configuration of Bonifacio high Street, only the circumference of Bonifacio Circle left discernible.

Present Addition of High Street stretches all the way to the circumference, with which the linear strip of public realm runs parallel to improve connectivity, walkability and clarity.

Figure 1.6. Morphology of

Bonifacio High Street.

01 INTRODUCTION

05

Jalan Stesen 1

Jalan Stesen 1 was known as the narrowest street in Klang, flanked by mostly pre-war shophouses that was built in 1900s (Figure 1.7). Rather than being constructed, Jalan Stesen 1 emerged as a resultant of the needs of the people.

Figure 1.7. Shophouses at Jalan

Stesen 1.

History

Figure 1.8. South Klang in 1950s.

(Klang in History, 2016)

Figure 1.9. Bridges built during British Colonization. (Klang in History, 2016)

The early inhabitants opened mines and plantations, founded towns and homesteads, organized themselves into coherent and permanent communities, and breathed life into communities with social and productive activities over successive generations (Voon, 2007). The shophouses were constructed individually along the street by different builders and shop owners, resulting in different architectural style ranging from “Late Straits�

Eclectic style to Modernist style. The businesses were mostly owned by Chinese that arrived at Klang due to expansion of tin mining activities. The typology of the shophouses that combines work and live had anchored the daily life of the locals along the street, it is a place where many locals, miners, traders gathered for business and leisure purposes. Thus, it was once the busiest street in Klang.

During British colonization, infrastructures such as bridges and railway tracks were built to cater the blooming economic activities in Klang (Figure 1.9).

After independence, focus of economic development had been shifted to the capital city Kuala Lumpur, which had significantly reduced the economic activities in Klang. Furthermore, as new residential projects started to develop around the area of old Klang, shop owners and their descendants started to move out from this area to

01 INTRODUCTION

Figure 1.10. Current view to Jalan

Stesen 1 from Jalan Stesen.

Physical Environment Shaped through History & Morphology

06

seek for better living condition. As a result, Jalan Stesen 1 and its surrounding area have become solely a place for work. The younger generation seeks for professional job and better job opportunities in the city, hence, the old businesses has no one to take over and are slowly fading out.

Today, Jalan Stesen 1 is an old and quite street (Figure 1.10) with multiple unoccupied shophouses, leaving a few old shops that are struggling to survive with occasional visits by the old customers.

The history and morphology of both streets shaped the physical framework of the streets. With the intention to create a public realm that improves the connectivity and walkability of the city, Bonifacio High Street is designed as a shopping mall with outdoor experience, forming the shopping streets that is pedestrian friendly, with wide walkway, landscapes, plaza, pavilions, and installations that congregate people through various sensory experiences. Experiencing people also offers a wealth of sensual variation that represents an attractive opportunity for stimulation (Gehl, 2011).

As for Jalan Stesen 1, the geographical advantage of the economic activities contributed to the shophouse typology with narrow five-foot walkways adjacent to the vehicular road. The gradual process permitted continual adjustment and adaptation of the physical environment to the city functions, and created a multitude of collected experiences (Gehl, 2011). Although there are many things going on around Jalan Stesen 1, spontaneous local-initiated development resulted in both people and events are so spread out in time and space that individual activities almost never get a chance to grow together to a larger, more meaningful and inspiring sequences of events (Gehl, 2011).

01 INTRODUCTION

07

Morphology

1850s Early settlers built up their settlement along the river which is the main source of their lifestyle and economic activity.

1900s Klang Railway Station and administrative buildings were built to accommodate the incrasing economic activity.

1950s Population increased and more infrastructures were built to serve the people and economic activities better.

Present Development spread outwards and population decreases as younger generation moves out from the town.

Figure 1.11. Morphology of Jalan

Stesen 1.

02

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS 2.1

WALKWAY & STOREFRONT

2.2

ALLEY

2.3

OPEN SPACES

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

09

WALKWAY & STOREFRONT Bonifacio High Street

The walkway of the shopping street (Figure 2.1) is relatively wider with shades projecting out from the storefront along the walkway, and more open as it is equipped with open space. Hence, spaces inside buildings are supplemented with usable outdoor areas, and public spaces have a much better chance of working well (Gehl, 2011).

Figure 2.1. Walkway of Bonifacio High Street. (Google, 2016)

Necessary Activity

Figure 2.2. Movement pattern along the walkway of Bonifacio High Street.

People come to this street mainly for shopping as it is one of the landmark in the city. Wide variety of shops provide various products to cater different needs of people, hence, attracting people around the city to spend their time here. The smooth and wide walkway allows uninterrupted pedestrian flow.

The storefronts are covered with transparent glass and display items. Although it allows visual permeability into the shops, the glass become an physical barrier that reduces the direct relationship between the street and the building. Landscapes and plazas along the shopping street added a broader spectrum of activities and experiences alongside the necessary activity. People tends to walk along the edge between the walkway and the plaza as it provides a better view to both the activities on the plaza and the storefront (Figure 2.2). Although Jan Gehl (2011) claims that necessary activities are more or less independent of the exterior environment, but improved physical conditions have increased the number of pedestrians and the average time spent outdoors, prompting optional and social activities to take place as a direct consequence of people moving about and being in the same spaces (Gehl, 2011).

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Optional Activity

Figure 2.3. Seating along the walkway of Bonifacio High Street.

(Google, 2016)

Social Activity

Figure 2.4. People simply see and

hear other people without higher level of contact. (Google, 2016)

Jalan Stesen 1

Figure 2.5. Five-foot walkway next

to an abandoned shophouse at Jalan Stesen 1.

10

Seating are mostly provided at the edges of the walkway., allowing people to stay. Sitting activities take place only where the external conditions are favorable (Gehl, 2011). Hence, seating provided along the walkway are sheltered from the weather and positioned to provide view to the activities. The primary seating outside restaurants allow people to eat while observing activities along the walkway.

The secondary seating allow people to rest after shopping or to wait for their companion.

Hence, people sitting and walking there can simply see and hear other people, providing opportunity for contact at a modest level. The great amount of people on the shopping street increases the frequency of contact. However, lack of direct relationship with the storefront due to glass barrier reduces interaction between pedestrian and the shops, the openness and smoothness of the walkway allow higher pedestrian traffic and relatively faster walking speed, resulting in lowintensity contact.

The five-foot walkway is narrow and has relatively lower ceiling. It’s peeled off plaster and faded paint reflect the age and sentimentality of the street.

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Necessary Activity

Figure 2.6. Pedestrian movement

pattern along Jalan Stesen 1.

Figure 2.7. Arches along the five-

foot walkway define the phenomenological dimension of each shop.

Optional Activity

Figure 2.8. Potted plants outside of

coffee shop.

11

The amount of people using the five-foot walkway at Jalan Stesen 1 is relatively lower due to the type of shops available there. Most of the shops are traditional businesses such as Chinese medicine, frame making, and traditional timepiece that are occasional needs and luxury items. Hence, only old customers occasionally visit these shops. Besides, the leveling of each shop is inconsistent, resulting in multiple steps along the walkway. Arches are also customized to each shop with different colour and display items. Even though the signages are placed outside and above the walkway, the interferences encountered along the walkway such as the steps, arches, item displayed, and direct relationship with the storefront without any physical barrier altogether created a variety of personalized dimension for each shop, making user conscious that they are entering into another shop as they walk through. Hence, the space is sufficiently narrow and rich in experiences, yet allowing room to maneuver (Gehl, 2011). Other than that, since the vehicular road is flanked by both sides of fivefoot walkways, connection between both sides is obstructed by vehicles, freedom of movement across the street is more or less lost, hence people are restricted to stay on the single walkway.

Some of the shops have their items displayed or decorations on the five-foot walkway (Figure 2.8), obstructing the linear pedestrian flow on the walkway and creating more stops in front of shops that had a direct relationship to people and the surrounding social environment (Gehl, 2011).

Hence, people tends to slow down and occasionally pause to look at the display items and surrounding environment.

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Social Activity

Figure 2.9. Local elders having conversation while eating on the five-foot walkway.

Relationship Between Walkway & Storefront Affects Intensity of Contact

12

Frequency of contact is relatively low due to the minimal amount of people using the walkway.

However, narrowness of the walkway encourages social engagement especially when the storefront of the shops are open and permeable. It allows direct contact between the pedestrian and the shop owners.

The spillover businesses and personalization of shops add richness to the physical environment of the walkway, making people walk slower to appreciate the details, creating a sense of belonging especially to the old customers who regularly use the walkway. Since most of the users are residents, students, and workers with common interests or backgrounds, social activities in public spaces can be quite comprehensive.

Greetings, conversations, discussions, and play arising from common interests and because people “know� each other, if for no other reason than that they often see one another (Gehl, 2011). Hence, the intensity of contact is high as the walkway allow user to establish and maintain acquaintances in a relaxed and undemanding way.

In short, variety of activity and choice affect the amount of people on the street. The uses should give each other mutual support, the primary stores attract large numbers of people, whilst the smaller secondary enterprises are necessary for variety to feed off the pedestrian flow between these main magnets (Bently et al., 1985). Mix of different shops complement each other at Bonifacio High Street, while the shops at Jalan Stesen 1 are mostly of secondary uses that lack pulling power to attract people. Although the frequency of contact is affected by the amount of people on the walkway, the intensity of contact is influenced by the physical framework, especially the relationship between the building and the walkway.

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

13

ALLEY Bonifacio High Street

There are several side paths that branch off from the main path to connect High Street to parking area. It is flanked by the shops with side storefronts that display their products.

Figure 2.10. Side paths in

Bonifacio High Street.

Necessary Activity

Figure 2.11. View from side path to shopping street. (Google, 2016)

Optional Activity

Figure 2.12. Narrow side path.

(Google, 2016)

The side paths are the transitional space between parking area and the shopping street, hence, it is the main access to High Street for people who drives here, and the point where the drivers start and stop walking. Hence, high amount of people frequently pass through this lane. From the side lane, people can directly see the shopfronts along the shopping streets (Figure 2.11), since the goal is in sight, they tend to steer directly toward it (Gehl, 2011). Thus, people concentrate on the movement and increases their walking speed to reach the shopping street.

The narrow paths are enclosed by bare walls with logos of the stores and minimal displays that have minimal interaction with the passer-by (Figure 2.12). Although it gives certain information about the activity inside the shop, it does not trigger activities and invite people to stay at the alley, but instead prompting them to the direction of shopping street. Clearly, the side paths are not designed to create favourable conditions for optional or recreational activity.

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Social Activity

Figure 2.13. People gather at the junction of side path and shopping street.

Jalan Stesen 1

Figure 2.14. Rainbow Alley that intersects through Jalan Stesen 1.

Necessary Activity

Figure 2.15. Fire staircase at the

Rainbow Alley.

14

Lack of visual interest along the path does not attract people to stay, which in turn increases the walking speed. People are constantly moving through the path and stop at the junction before deciding which way to turn into the shopping street, hence, people accumulates at the junction of the path (Figure 2.13), which increases frequency for contact at a modest level. The connection to the shopping street act as a stopping point where people view the stores across the street and navigate themselves before continue walking. The pausing point allow social interaction between people to happen. The quality of experiencing a large space is greatly enriched when the approach occurs through a small space (Gehl, 2011).

Hence, the narrow scale of the side path further enhanced the spatial experience of wide shopping street when people arrive at the junction.

As for Jalan Stesen 1, there is an alley (Rainbow Alley) that intersects through 3 blocks shophouses, allowing people to walk to and fro between Jalan Besar and Jalan Dato Hamzah. It is painted with rainbow colours on the ground, and attractive mural arts along the lane.

It is frequently used by the people due to its strategic location at the center of the shophouses, hence people use it as a shortcut to travel across the parallel streets. Its linear typology, and strategic position and orientation give form to its character as a space for movement. Certain part of the alley has fire staircases protruding out and attached to the shophouse (Figure 2.15) which interrupt the pedestrian flow, make the pedestrian movement more interesting (Gehl, 2011).

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Optional Activity

Figure 2.16. Mural arts at the

Rainbow Alley.

15

The tall wall with a few small windows and overhangs form a private enclosure for the building occupants. Fire staircases attached to the side wall of the shophouses are used as the access to the residential units on the upper floors. These small elements together with the mural art (Figure 2.16) add element of surprise to the alley, which enhances the walking experience. Besides, these elements attract shop workers on the ground floor to use the space during their break time, they sit on the steps and lean on the wall to relax (Figure 2.17). Although the Rainbow Alley is mostly used as a pass-by space, the small elements that add richness to the spatial experience invite people for a short stay.

Figure 2.17. People sitting and

relaxing at the Rainbow Alley.

Social Activity

The alley is frequently used by people to travel across different streets, however, different people use the alley at different time throughout the day.

Hence, the frequency of contact is moderate, as few people can be spotted along the alley most of the time, but not all coming together at the same time. The intensity of contact is relatively low, it offers an opportunity to be with others in a relaxed and undemanding way when someone make a detour on the way home, or when the worker sit there for a short while. Thus, the Rainbow Alley act as an interaction point between the pedestrian and the building occupants that provide opportunity for social interaction between both communities.

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Details Define Character of Space

16

If spaces are desolate and empty, and if the facades lack interesting details, it can be very difficult to find places to stop (Gehl, 2011).

Although the side alleys in both Jalan Stesen 1 and Bonifacio High Street are used as a space for movement and access to the street, the narrow Rainbow Alley with small projections, staircases, and mural arts add details to the wall, enriching the walking experience, making people to stay.

However, the side paths at Bonifacio High Street act as a complimentary path to the main shopping street, it reveals activity within the store which helps directing people to the main shopping street.

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

17

OPEN SPACE Bonifacio High Street

Along the shopping streets, there are some intermediate plazas that connect both shopping streets. The plaza consists of water feature, trellis, and landscapes.

Figure 2.18. Plaza at Bonifacio

High Street.

Necessary Activity

Figure 2.19. Trellis and benches at plaza of Bonifacio High Street.

(Google, 2016)

Optional Activity

Figure 2.20. People using the side

of water feature as secondary seating to observe surrounding activity and people. (Jayme, 2016)

When large spaces are to be crossed, it is usually most comfortable to move along the edge instead of having to traverse a broad surface or walk down the middle of the space (Gehl, 2011). Hence, the trellis at the edge of plaza covered with creepers (Figure 2.19) is frequently used for people to cross between both shopping streets. In bad weather, people can move along the trellis under shades and protection as well.

Primary seating is provided at the plaza, however lack of shades above the benches discourages people from sitting there under the hot weather.

Recreational activities such as walking pets and kids playing around take place at the plaza with people sitting on the benches observing the activities when the weather is good. Being able to see other people in action, constituted the area’s main attraction (Gehl, 2011).

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Social Activity

Figure 2.21. People gathering at the plaza for spontaneous activity.

18

These spontaneous and unplanned activities allow chance contact to happen. Children feel like playing when they see others at play (Gehl, 2011), the spontaneous activity happening at the plaza give something for the people sitting on the benches to talk about. Short exchange of words, and a brief discussion with the next man on the bench allow contacts to develop spontaneously in connection with merely being where there are others (Gehl, 2011).

(Jayme, 2016)

Jalan Stesen 1

The open space located at the end of Jalan Stesen 1 is used as a parking lot. The temporary structures that cover the edges of the open space provide shades to the vehicles and user.

Figure 2.22. Open space at the

end of Jalan Stesen 1.

Necessary Activity

Figure 2.23. Vehicles parked at the open space. (Google, 2018)

People come to this open space to park and retrieve their car before going to work at the offices and shop lots around this area (Figure 2.23). Since it is located at the end of the street, the open space is not used as a space for movement, but as a starting point to walk from or destination to retrieve their car. People use this parking lot regardless of its physical condition (Gehl, 2011).

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

19

Optional Activity

The temporary structures provide opportunity for the locals to set up food stalls as they provide shades to the food stalls. Hence, the seating at the stalls allow people to enjoy cooling desserts under the hot weather (Figure 2.25).

Social Activity

Most people come here at certain time of the day.

In the morning and evening, people park and retrieve their car here, hence, contact at a modest level can happen as most people have similar working hours, there is an opportunity to see and be seen by someone. In the afternoon when the weather is hot, the amount of people eating desserts here is high due to the shades and cooling food provided, this increases the frequency of contact. The small alley beside the open space (Figure 2.26)) is used as shortcut by the locals to access to other streets. This allows social interaction between pedestrian and people eating at the food stalls. The contact intensity becomes higher as most people enjoy the desserts together with their family and friends, thus, the open space allows the maintenance of already established contacts. Besides, the possibility of meeting neighbours and co-workers here implies a valuable opportunity to establish acquaintances in a relaxed and undemanding way (Gehl, 2011).

Figure 2.25. People having conversation and eating at the food stalls.

Figure 2.26. Small alley beside the

open space.

02 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Time-Dependent Dimension of Open Space

20

In brief, the intensity of contact at both open spaces are highly dependent on the weather condition. As Jahn Gehl (2011) suggested, improved physical conditions results in impressive increases in the number of pedestrians, a lengthening of the average time spent outdoors, and a considerably broader spectrum of outdoor activities. The necessary activities provide opportunity for contact at a modest level, when the weather and physical environment allows, there is a possibility for access to contact at higher levels. Individuals and events can influence and stimulate one another in this selfreinforcing process, something happens because something happens (Gehl, 2011).

03 CONCLUSION

21

CONCLUSION In most contact points, Bonifacio High Street appears to have higher frequency of contact when compared to Jalan Stesen 1. It can be concluded that the building use will greatly influence the amount of people visiting the street as it caters necessary activities to the street. Although necessary activity can be carried out regardless of the quality of outdoor space, a good physical environment will prolong the time used for necessary activity and increases the chances for optional and social activities. The more time people spend outdoors, the more frequently they meet and the more they talk (Gehl, 2011). On the other hand, Jalan Stesen 1 allows flexibility and personalization of outdoor spaces that create stimulating experiences attracting people to stay, and further attracting other people which formulate the self-reinforcing process. They gather with and move about with others and seek to place themselves near others. New activities begin in the vicinity of events that are already in progress (Gehl, 2011).

Public street life is fabricated by historical, geographical, and cultural context, while the physical framework can affect the quality of public street life. The physical framework of necessary activity should allow flexibility for spontaneous activity. Public spaces should be provided to complement the function of building spaces to allow the extension of activity into the public realm, thus creating a whole melee of sights, sounds and smells that gives uniqueness and character to the street (Yeang, 2000). By ensuring more people use the public spaces and by encouraging longer individual stays, high level of activity can be stimulated to improve the conditions for life between buildings (Gehl, 2011).

04 REFERENCES

22

REFERENCES Ayala Land Inc. (2017). History. Retrieved from Bonifacio Global City: https://bgc.com.ph/about-us/history/ Bently, I., Alcock, A., Murrain, P., McGlynn, S., & Smith, G. (1985). Responsive Environments: A manual for designers. London: Architectural Press.

Gehl, J. (2011). Life Between Buildings. United States of America: Island Press.

Voon, P. (2007). Pioneers, Entrepreneurs, and Labourers: Building the Social and.

Malaysian Chinese and Nation-Building: Before Merdeka and Fifty Years After (Volume 1).

Yeang, L. (2000). Urban Design Compendium. London: English Parterships.

FIGURE REFERENCES Emmett, P. (2007). Bonifacio High Street. Retrieved from https://flickr.com/photos/emmettsinasia/453984893/ Google. (2016, August). Bonifacio Global High Street, Taguig. Retrieved from Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/Bonifacio+Global+High+Street,+Taguig/ @14.5506598,121.0506457,283m/data=!3m1!1e3 Jayme, J. (2016, October 1). Meet Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Retrieved from Judi Meets World: http://judimeetsworld.com/meet-the-world/meet-bonifacioglobal-city-bgc/ Klang in History. (2016, December 23). Retrieved from Klang in History: https://www.facebook.com/kelang/photos/a.501352773295556/11013934566 24815/?type=3&theater Phillip and Gazel. (2011). Bonifacio Global City. Retrieved from http://philandgazel.com/things_to_do