Nurul Atiqah BT Mohd Ghazali

1. School of Architecture, Building & Design
Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Architecture
Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
Project 2: Comparative Analysis Essay
(Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok & Jalan Stesen 1, Klang)
Tutor: Mr. Nicholas Ng
Nurul Atiqah Binti Mohd Ghazali
0325630

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C O N T E N T
1.0 Introduction to Project
1.1 Brief Intro of Project
1.2 Introduction to Asian Street: Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok, Thailand
1.3 Introduction to Local Street: Jalan Stesen 1, Klang, Malaysia
2.0 Comparative Analysis
2.1 Similarities and Dissimilarities
2.1.1 Transportation Hub
2.1.2 5 ft. way / Verandah Way at Shop Houses
2.1.3 Interactive Outdoor Spaces
3.0 Conclusion
4.0 References (text and images)
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1 . 0 I N T R O D U C T I O N
1.1 Brief Intro of Project
In this final project, we are required to examine the similarities and dissimilarities
of the street from Project 1 (Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok) and the street from our
current studio project (Jalan Stesen 1, Klang). This comparative analysis essay will be
investigated based on the patterns of social activities, types of contact points and the
varying degrees of contact intensity between the two streets. Thus, the selection of the
contact points from our studio site (Klang) is done individually and will need to be
compared to a similar contact point in Bangkok, in terms of its function/use.
The analysis has to be a critical analysis of architecture and urban forms within
its social, cultural and intellectual context. Illustrations, diagrams, sketches and images
can be used to aid the analysis.
But more importantly, the essay has to refer and relate to our main reference,
Jahn Gehl ‘Life between Buildings – Using Public Space’.

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1.2 Introduction to Asian Street: Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Charoen Krung Road is a major road in Bangkok and the first in Thailand to be
built using modern construction methods. In 1860, Western councils complained to King
Mongkut about their health due to lack of roads to travel by horse carriage, and
requested him to build a new road on the east side of the river behind the consulates
and business (Wikipedia, 2018). King Mongkut agreed and ordered the construction of
the roads, and it was first known as Thanon Mai or New Road. But it was later named,
“Charoen Krung” which means prosperous city (Wikipedia, 2018).
Figure 1. Development of Charoen Krung in 1860, 1890, 1960 and 2010 (from left to
right)

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In Charoen Krung Road, there are outdoor areas that shows the different
activities, quality of space and intensity of contact. Below is the 3 main contact points
identified at Charoen Krung Road that will be discussed in the essay.
Figure 2. Main Contact Points at Charoen Krung Road
The first contact point is Saphan Taksin BTS Station Exit 3. This is a train station
where people come in and come out to do their everyday activities (necessary), such as
going to work, running errands, or heading home. But in Charoen Krung Road, the train
station is where optional and social activities can also become a part of the main
activities.
The second contact point is the space outside Robinson Shopping Mall. This
open space is used as gathering space where vendors use to sell their products. It is
filled with people walking by to do their necessary activities (crossing the street, going to
work, and shopping) as well as optional and optional activities (hanging out with
friends).
The third contact point is Bangrak Bazaar. Located very near to the Robinson
Shopping Mall, it is an open bazaar that opens in the evening till night time. Filled with
locals and tourists, they sell a variety of products such as food, clothes, jewelry and

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more! This contact point range from moderate to high intensity due to the quality of
space. The place is filled with people and the pathway is so narrow that they can’t help
but encounter passive and chance contact.
Figure 3. Saphan Taksin BTS Station Exit 3
Figure 4. Outside Robinson Shopping Mall
Figure 5. Bangrak Bazaar

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1.3 Introduction to Local Street: Jalan Stesen 1, Klang, Malaysia
Klang is known as one of the oldest town in Malaysia. It is rich in history,
traditions and customs. The town began at the southern bank of the Klang River, which
has been known in producing tin as early as 15th century. The foundation in which the
town is built, Jalan Stesen 1, area is presently a major district where local and corporate
business mix.
Figure 6. Morphology of Jalan Stesen 1, Klang
The area that this essay will be discussing about is the Jalan Stesen 1 road until
the junction road to Jalan Besar and towards the KTM Klang. The contact points
identified are located near each other to show the journey of people that comes out from
the KTM Klang and towards the site.

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The main contact points that will be discussed in the essay is KTM Klang, shop
houses on both sides of Jalan Stesen 1 and the food stall in front of an open car park.
Figure 7. Main Contact Points at Jalan Stesen 1, Klang
The first contact point is KTM Klang (train station) at Jalan Besar. This is where
most people will be due to the high number of people coming in from out of town to
come here for either work or for leisure. This train station is the start of the creating
more contact points throughout the street because this is where they will start their
journey to Klang (by walking).
The second contact point is the shop houses located on both side of Jalan
Stesen 1. The shop houses play an important role in people’s behavior because it can
invite people to spend more time there due to the shaded pathway. It creates a
comfortable space for all activities to happen, especially optional activities. This is an
important point where shop vendors use to display their products and to encounter
contact with passerby.
The last contact point that the essay will be discussing is the food stall at the end
of the road. This food stall is by far the only one around the area that sells ABC, Cendol

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and other Malaysian cuisine. Being the only food stall around the area, increase the
frequency of people coming by to have some food and thus optional activities.
Figure 8. KTM Klang
Figure 9.Shophouses at Jalan Stesen 1
Figure 10. ABC and Cendol Stall

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2 . 0 C O M P A R A T I V E A N A L Y S I S
2.1 Similarities and Dissimilarities
Base on the identified contact points from two different streets, the analysis will
compare between the similar architectural or urban form aspects of the points and
critically analyze on the patterns of activities (necessary, optional and social), the quality
of space, the degree of contact intensity and people’s behavior. The points that will be
discuss in the essay are, transportation hub, 5 ft way and interactive spaces.
2.1.1 Transportation Hub
Both Charoen Krung Road and Jalan Stesen 1 have a transportation hub
that create a high intensity of contact. Charoen Krung Road’s train station
(Saphan Taksin BTS Exit 3) is located at a secondary road where the circulation
goes two way in a very narrow path due to lots of taxis parking at the side of the
road. But because it is located at the secondary road, it does not affect the traffic
of the vehicles. Compare to Klang’s train station (KTM Klang), it is located at the
main road, Jalan Besar, and this causes traffic especially in peak hours.
Figure 11. Location of Saphan Taksin BTS Exit 3 (left) and KTM Klang (right)

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Necessary activities take place in both of these stations, no matter how
the quality of space is or the environment and so “participants have no choice”
(Gehl, 2011, pg. 9). Both station have a shaded area where they wait to get
picked up, with very limited seating, causing them to stand. While standing, they
are participating in passive contact, “merely being able to meet, see and hear
others” (Gehl, 2011, pg. 15). People that use the train to commute to work might
encounter a higher level of contact, “contact that develop spontaneously in
connection with merely being where there are others” (Gehl, 2011, pg. 19). It
could be a short exchange of words, brief discussion with the person next to
them, chatting with a tourist or asking questions to a local. But from their daily
comings and goings create a possibility of meeting their co-workers or friends
which implies an “opportunity to establish and later maintain acquaintances in a
relaxed and undemanding way” (Gehl, 2011, pg. 19). With frequent meetings,
friendships are maintained in a simpler way rather than by maintaining it with
telephone or invitation.
Figure 12. Saphan Taksin BTS Station (left) and KTM Klang (right)
However, the train station at Charoen Krung Road create more optional
activities and social activities with the locals more due to the food stalls located in
front of the station. People would come up to the vendors and have a chat as
they buy the products. And frequent meetings with them on the street becomes

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a person that they “know” (Gehl, 2011, pg. 21). In Klang however, the train
station does not have any food stalls at the front, but only taxi drivers trying to get
customers. People won’t approach them, unless they feel comfortable or when
they need to. So, when they get out of the station, lots of taxi drivers will
approach to them and ask if they need a ride, and this will cause them to walk
away to avoid any more attention. The quality of space there does not promote
optional activities due to people’s behaviors. It’s all about what the participants
“wish” to do rather than what they are demanded to do (Gehl, 2011, pg. 19).
Figure 13. Food stalls in front of station in Charoen Krung Road (left) vs. Taxis in
front of KTM Klang (right)

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2.1.2 5 ft. way / Verandah Way at Shop houses
Both of these streets have old shop houses that are preserved until today.
And both Jalan Stesen 1 and Charoen Krung have a similar element to a 5 ft way
or verandah way, but how it is being used by the people are different. The 5 ft
way are used for pedestrians to walk around the street safely, without having to
walk on the road. It is also a space for shop house businesses to display their
products and attract more customers to come in. And when people start to crowd
around a store, more people will also be attracted to stop to see, and this is
proven by Jahn Gehl’s theory of “people attract people” (Gehl, 2011, pg. 23).
However, the 5 ft. way in the two streets are different from each other. In
Charoen Krung Road, the contact intensity is moderate because it is used as a
transition space for the users. People use it to pass by from one place to another
without stopping unless they need to or unless there is something to see. The
quality of space can be the reason as to why people won’t participate in optional
activities. The path are not fully shaded compared to the 5 ft way in Jalan Stesen
1. Without shade, people want to quickly get over with their necessary activities
(running errands) and go home.
Figure 14. Products display at 5 ft. walkway in Charoen Krung Road (left) and
Jalan Stesen 1 (right)

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Figure 15. Partially shade 5 ft. way in Charoen Krung Road
In Jalan Stesen 1 however, the contact intensity can range from moderate
to high because people also participate in optional and social activities. With
good quality of outdoor space (shade for sun and protection from rain), “optional
activities occur with increasing frequency,” (Gehl, 2011 pg. 11) and thus increase
level of contacts. Basically, the shaded pathway causes people to spend more
time there. Also, shop house businesses frequently meet with other business and
spontaneously participate in social activities. They might just come to visit or
“drop by” without having to agree on a time or place
Figure 16. 5 ft. way in Jalan Stesen 1, Klang (right) and inside the 5 ft. way
(left)

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2.1.3 Interactive Spaces
Both streets have the same element of an interactive space, a space
where people socialize and interact with other people. However, the spaces are
different in terms of the quality of space and the activity frequency.
Charoen Krung Road have a lot of these spaces (Bangrak Bazaar,
outside Robinson Mall) due to its high interest in street food. Not only do they
have it at the streets, but they also have a bazaar (Bangrak Bazaar) filled with a
variety of food stalls, fashion stalls and more). These interactive spaces have a
high degree of contact intensity due to the high frequency of people participating
in social activities. When people are all crowded in these open spaces, it invites
others to come and join in as well (Gehl, 2011, p.23). In the bazaar, people are
forced to walk in this narrow pathway, bumping into other people and thus
participating in chance contact as they exchange a smile or a greeting to
passersby. This also take effect to the food vendors when they are participating
in chance contact with the customers. But this contact can develop to a higher
level when they “spontaneously” meet their friends, family, coworkers or
neighbors.
Figure 17. Bangrak Bazaar (left) and outside Robinson Mall (right)
The interactive space in Jalan Stesen 1 is low in quantity in terms of the
space being open. Most of the interactive space takes place inside a restaurant,

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rather than outdoor spaces. However, Jalan Stesen 1 have one food stall that
sells Malay cuisine and desert, but with very limited seating ranging from 10-15
people. Despite the limited seating, the good quality of space enables people to
participate in their social activities. Due to the hot climate in Malaysia, this
contact point become a place to get desert and cool down. And this food stall is
the only place that sells cheap and delicious Malay desert, ABC and Cendol and
thus, increase the contact intensity for the stall vendors. They would frequently
meet up with the same people and later establish friendship without being
demanded (Gehl, 2011, pg. 19).
Figure 18. ABC and Cendol Stall at Jalan Stesen 1

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3 . 0 C O N C L U S I O N
Charoen Krung Road and Jalan Stesen 1 have their own unique elements
that makes them appreciated by the locals. But when you look at them as one,
you can see how similar this two streets are in terms of their appreciation
towards the old shop houses, towards their food culture and their people. Even
though they have their own ways of showing it, they had done their best for the
people to be able to do their necessary activities. But both streets have their
negative points and improve it by learning from each other.
Charoen Krung Road is lacking in their quality of space because it does
not invite people to pause and stop by unless there is something interesting to
see. If Charoen Krung Road were to have more shaded space like Jalan Stesen
1, optional activities can increase in frequency without being demanded.
Jalan Stesen 1 can also learn from Charoen Krung Road in terms of
having spaces where “people attract people”. Currently, they are lacking in open
spaces, and interactive outdoor spaces where people can spontaneously
participate in optional activities. If they were to have a night market or a bazaar
just like Bangrak Bazaar in Charoen Krung Road, they might have a higher
chance to make the street filled with lots of people participating in optional or
social activities.

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Figure 19. The unique element of Jalan Stesen 1 (left) and Charoen Krung Road
(right)
4 . 0 R E F E R E N C E S ( T E X T S & I M A G E S )
Barrow, R. (Photographer). (2013). Krungthep Bridge in Bangkok [ digital image
]. Retrieved from http://www.richardbarrow.com/2013/01/the-krungthep-bridgein-
bangkok/
Gehl, J. (2011). Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space
Gehl, J. (2011). Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space. (pp. 9)
Gehl, J. (2011). Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space. (pp. 11)
Gehl, J. (2011). Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space. (pp. 15)
Gehl, J. (2011). Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space. (pp. 19)
Gehl, J. (2011). Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space. (pp. 23)
Google Street. (2015). ABC Stall in Klang [digital image]. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/maps/@3.0426922,101.4483097,3a,49.3y,241.84h,82.3
6t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5J1Qa-cNtjW4CQbfg2nUoQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Google Street. (2015). Taxi’s infront of KTM Klang [digital image]. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/maps/@3.0429134,101.4496609,3a,49.1y,63.4h,83.73t/
data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1soJP6fQMg7faEaYN68HG0Fg!2e0!5s20151101T000000!7
i13312!8i6656
Google Street. (2017). 5 ft walkway Klang [digital image]. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/maps/@3.0425401,101.4485727,3a,75y,54.35h,80.27t/d
ata=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sq-M2XLosDTrkPhRhQLbhiQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Google Street. (2017). Saphan Taksin BTS Station Exit 3 [digital image].
Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/maps/@13.718782,100.515001,3a,75y,255.08h,80.92t/d
ata=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGyLEk5neZnXOyHlW-i0cvw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Google Street. (2018). KTM Klang [digital image]. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/maps/@3.0428686,101.4497701,3a,75y,344.39h,81.64t/
data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0FssfLMCwRvfl-8VPbYLHA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Google Street. (2018). Street Food in Charoen Krung Road [digital image].
Retrieved from

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https://www.google.com/maps/@13.7191999,100.5153461,3a,75y,283.89h,93.36
t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9kyfzLOQMk6v3TSKEGaAiw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
LivingAsean. (2017). A Day Trip Through Charoen Krung Retrieved on
September 21, 2018 from http://livingasean.com/explore/day-trip-charoen-krung/
References:
Schofman, K. (Photographer). (2018). Traffic Chaos at Charoen Krung Road
[digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.alamy.com/many-moped-
drivers-are-waiting-at-
Thuan, W. (2018). BTS Saphan Taskin. Retrieved on September 21 2018, from
http://www.bangkok.com/bts/saphan-taksin.htm
Trip Advisor. (2016). Bangrak Bazaar at Night [digital image]. Retrieved from
https://cn.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g293916-d2714613-
i183164187-Bangrak_Bazaar-Bangkok.html
Unknown. (Photographer). (2017). Along the Charoen Krung Road in 1890 [
digital image]. Retrieved from
http://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/userpics/58147/1894- charoen-krung-road-
bangkok-xbx.jpg
While Traveling. (2014). Life at Bangrak Bazaar. Retrieved on September 21,
2018 from http://whiletravelling.com/en/bangrak-bazaar-bangkok/
Wikipedia. (2018). Charoen Krung Road. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charoen_Krung_Road