Comparative analysis

ARC 61303
Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
Project Part 2 : Comparative Analysis Essay
Name: Chong Kit Yee
Student ID: 0319748
Tutor: Prince Favis Isip

Content
1.0 Introduction 3 - 5
2.0 Comparative Analysis Essay 6
2.1 Necessary Activity 7 - 9
2.2 Optional Activity 10 - 13
2.3 Social Activity 14 - 17
3.0 Conclusion 18
4.0 References 19
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1.0 Introduction
Medan Pasar is the heart of the inner city center of Kuala Lumpur which was once heart of
Chinatown. According to historical texts, the road was home to many opium dens and
brothels. Headed by Kapitan Yap Ah Loy, the road was known as Macao Street or Hokkien
Street by the old chinese community. Yap had his wooden house on the south end of Market
Square, along what is now Lebuh Pasar Besar.
Although Medan Pasar no longer being the busiest market, it still buzzing with public
transports where most of the locals and foreigners can hop on the next bus to their respective
destinations. The formal streetscape and architecture facade during the British Colonial are
still remaining much of it but the road has transformed into square. In addition, the square has
readapt to accommodate in a such formal trading centre.
University Belt refers to one of sub district areas located in Manila, Philippines and is well
known due to high concentration or a cluster of colleges and universities in that city. Across
the Pasig River, the belt comprises of 36 educational institutions and each of the colleges and
universities are at a walking distance of each other to the extent it directly forms irregular
crescent shape, giving more sense to its nickname as time passed by. The granite paved
sideways of the road create a comfortable environment and it is complemented with greenery
to enhance the context of sustainable urban design of Manila.
Overall, it may seem like two different worlds in terms of social setting and urbanscape at the
cities. However, the life in between buildings might be found similar in some part, with
different external factors affecting the fabrics of the street scenes in this two country. The
activity, streetscape and culture of this two different places affect the fundamental behaviour
of pedestrian and how it created significant life between buildings.
3

Introduction of contact points
Figure 1.1 District zone in Medan Pasar
Medan Pasar mainly is for commercial districts (Old Market Square, Central market, Kasturi
walk) and is surrounded by governmental districts(Dataran Merdeka, Masjid Jamek and other
governmental building), communal and corporate (Daya Bumi, HSBC, Kwong Hing Group
and other offices). Each of this districts contributes different contact points, it situated around
distinct locations for distinct groups of people throughout the day. For example,
governmental districts cater most of the tourist from day to night, while the commercial
districts is for both locals workers and tourists to carry out their necessary or leisure
activities.
Figure 1.2 Location of nodes according to contact point intensity.
The main contact point around Medan Pasar are pedestrian walkway along Jalan Hang
Kasturi including Kasturi walk, LRT stations (Masjid Jamek and Pasar Seni), Petaling Street,
Dataran Merdeka, Masjid Jamek and the square itself. The intensity of these contact points
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changes according to time as they cater the needs of different groups of people throughout the
day.
Figure 1.3 Location of contact point intensity of University Belt
University Belt a contrast of region from cluster of colleges and university where can be
found at a short walking distance of each other (Far Eastern University, University of the
East, Mary Chiles college) to a districts of leisure where not just providing the needs of
students but also expanding commercial needs to general public. University belt have already
reach to all parts of people in the city to visit this area to purchase products.
The contact point in University Belt will be focused on R.Papa street ( a short street as part of
the city’s rebuilding and is connecting fews of the universities), Plaza Miranda ( a public
square which at the front of main churches of the City of Manil), Gonzola Puyat Street (a
commercial street with many open shops and vendors that connect the population) and
Isetann Cinema Complex.
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2.0 Comparative Analysis
Medan Pasar and University Belt are having their own significant of social patterns which
correspond to its surrounding (physical conditions, cultural context and economic aspects).
These aspects will greatly affects the contact point located within these two countries. As the
different of development between the two cities also affect the community behavioural
patterns based on necessary, optional and social activities.
2.1 Necessary Activities
Jalan Hang Kasturi vs R.Papa Street
Necessary activities take place no matter how the quality of the environment like going to
school or to work, shopping, waiting for a bus or a person. Necessary activities are mostly
affected by the surrounding business activities. In these two cities, the core economic activity
is catering to both foreign and local communities. Medan Pasar itself is flooded with
foreigner which working as employees or traders of shops and stalls while at the upper part of
the Medan Pasar is still catering with local workers necessary activity.
In general, Medan Pasar is a mixed use of economy area with hotels, market, tourist hotspot
and shophouses with local and foreigner tenants. The pavement in front of this business and
retails are well maintained and increased the opportunity of way finding. All those tourist
hotspot and street activities are easily seen through from these pedestrian walkway, it could
be an alleyways in between shophouses or a exposed walkway with landscape. With these
paths in between building is connecting several nodes that cater to different communities. For
example, the tourist nodes (Central Market) and leisure node (Old Market Square), both of
these node can be easily seen in every direction while walking on Jalan Hang Kasturi. These
patterns of paths, nodes and landmarks is blurring the boundaries of one place to another, it is
connected via the circulation of pedestrian. Some of the locals and foreigner tenants are
taking advantages on these design which accommodate the needs of pedestrian and carry out
their business. However for those who travel by car, there is limited parking provided around
the areas, so it is required to travel by foot. This encourage them to actually slower down the
pace and relish in the attractive value of the surrounding and interact passively with the
public.
Figure 2.1.1 Nodes along Jalan Hang Kasturi can be easily seen through
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Moreover, economic activity that take place along the walkway and side alleys encourage
more chance of social activity to happens. It provide a social platform for traders and tourists
in a intimate lanes when traders attempt to attract these tourists to buy their goods. This form
of necessary activity for economic purpose has created an optional activity for people to stop
by and encourage passive interaction to happens. A significant contact point around Medan
Pasar that is contributing necessary activity is Jalan Hang Kasturi. It is connecting both LRT
stations, always use as a walkway to transit from these LRT station to local and foreigner
working destination or tourist attractions. Meanwhile, it is a necessary spot for tenants of
shops to earn their living by selling locals goods and foods.
Figure 2.1.2 Kasturi Walk along Jalan Hang Kasturi
Contact point
Jalan Hang Kasturi : Necessary activity for local and foreigner use as a walkway to transit
from these LRT station to working destination or tourist attractions. Meanwhile, it is a
necessary spot for tenants of shops to earn their living by selling locals goods and foods.
Intensity: Low to high
Low : “see and hear” formed among the pedestrian, slightly by the physical framework.
There is a possibility running into same person at daily basis or multiple occasions and
having chance of rising the contacts.
High. Daily commuters that forms close friendship with one another.
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In Medan Pasar, the economic activity mostly relies on local and tourists, whereas the
economic activity of University Belt relies on the local community. The street is mostly
occupied by commerce that dictated by the needs of local crowd which mostly are students.
Dormitories are also quite plentiful in the location in order to accommodate students coming
in and as with high consumer density, there are quite a number of fastfood and restaurants
situated in the area such as Mcdonalds, KFC and Jollibee. Around the area, R.Papa Street is
the most easily identify and is the main node with university, local shophouses, food stalls
and stationery shops. Most of the locals communities carry out their necessary activities such
as going to school or having their meals, The presence of economic activity is concentrated in
this path leading to main nodes with permeable edges such as zebra crossing and the
landscaping softens the ambience of road divider. This helps in way finding for the pedestrian
with the heavy traffic conditions. Also, it increase the possibility of travelling by foot to
search for food or retails. This increase the frequency of necessary activities and further
enhanced the stalls with the optional and social activities. For university belt the significant
contact point by necessary activities is the R.Papa Street, where locals are seen having daily
meals from the stalls situated by the roadside. Daily basis for the students to walk by from
secondary street to the main street and take public transport. This regular routine allows a
range from a low to high contact intensity.
Figure 2.1.3 Food Stall along R.Papa Street
Contact Point
R.Papa street : Necessary activities for locals to have their daily meals and is a daily basis for
the students to walk by from secondary street to the main street and take public transport.
Low : “See and hear” formed among the pedestrian and having physical framework between
stall owners and regular customers.
High : Students or locals having common interests or backgrounds
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As to the culture of Jalan Hang Kasturi allows higher possibility of contact between locals
and tourists, they uses it as the main transit to their destination most of the time. However,
according to Jan Gehl’s the chance of creating high contact is by having intimating scale of
space whereby acquaintance contact can be achieved through conversations just like how R.
Papa street are. It is having an intimate one way road and pedestrian walkway used by local
students or workers where they are having common interest and backgrounds. Moreover, the
distance of stalls and shop lots are shorter it increased the contact of shop’s owners and stall’s
owner that increase the chance of acquaintance contact at daily basis.
The necessary activities of Jalan Hang Kasturi and R.Papa that having different
characteristics are affecting the contact intensity as well. As Jalan Hang Kasturi are more
walkable than R.Papa with it convenience route connecting most of the governmental
landmarks, while R.Papa retains its sense of place with its hidden gems among all these
universities. These two contrasting atmosphere had affects the chances of social activity. In
addition, with the streetscape in Jalan Hang Kasturi has increased the frequency of
interaction, on the other hand, R. Papa is encouraging interaction through wide variety of
daily needs to pulls the crowd’s attentions. These two streets were having distinct traits that
influence public life.
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2.2 Optional Activities
Five foot walkway vs Walkway in front Isetann Cinerama Complex
Jan Gehl explained optional activities is depend to a significant degree on what the place has
to offer and how it makes people behave and feel about it. The better a place, the more
optional activity occurs and the longer necessary activity lasts. The optional activity in these
two cities are greatly affected by the physical conditions of spaces.
Malaysia is a place where receiving sunlight and downpour throughout the years, to fulfill the
comfort of pedestrian and protection from the weather a covered walkways is provided. The
physical conditions of this covered walkway is affecting the intensity of contacts. The most
appropriate environment would encourage more pedestrian to walk with comfort and allow
optional activities to occur because it welcomes people towards the area. The necessary
activities that confined within this five foot walkways in Medan Pasar has reduced the scope
of walking in between buildings but it increase the chances of social activity among the shop
tenants and visitors. At the same time, the five foot walkway is connected with the square in
front, it connected people from every directions and allows optional activity to take place.
However, due to the weather in Malaysia most of the times pedestrian will take a shaded area
as their path or waiting area rather than using the exposed square.
Figure 2.2.1 Streetscape of Medan Pasar
One of the most significant contact points that cater optional activity are the five foot
walkway along the shophouses. The shaded walkway increase walkability and also allow
tenant to attract more customers by extending their business out to the walkway. In addition,
when there is regularity of rain also forms different contact points for the locals and
foreigners as they uses the covered walkway as alternative routes to commute.
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Figure 2.2.2 Business extended to five foot walkway
Contact point
Five foot walkway: Shaded walkway increase walkability and also allow tenant to attract
more customers by extending their business out to the walkway.
Intensity: Low to moderate
Low: Passive ‘see and hear’ contacts formed among the passersby and shopkeepers
Moderate: Tenants that carry out their business side by side at the walkway form an
acquaintance network
Figure 2.2.3 Entrance of HSBS
Contact Point
Entrance of HSBC: The steps in front of banks provided an unintentional seating for people
to await the buses or taking a break from a hectic working environment. This form a passive
and chance contact with passersby.
Low: Passive ‘see and hear’ contacts formed among the passer-by and workers
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High: Gathering of a group close friends and having conversations to strengthened their
relationships
Similar to Medan Pasar, University Belt experience hot and humid climate most of the time.
The frequency of optional and social activities are high at the broad and comfortable
walkway. The building height of shophouses and the scale of walkway around University
Belt are more stimulating and walkable. For the most significant contact point that contribute
optional activities in University Belt is Isetann Cinerama Complex. Being one of the largest
mall in Manila that attracts shopping traffic because of its location beside the LRT-1 and
LRT-2 train stations in the office district of Manila. Even though it have a larger scale but it
does not segregates the complex and road because of the activities happen around. The
pathway not only for necessary activities it allows short distance movement to optional
activities across the road. It breaks away the necessary pathways to LRT stations and creates
optional pathways for commuters and tenants to access across the roads. This promote
interaction for and people to cross over as blurred of the street and create a possible contact
for meeting.
Figure 2.2.4 Streetscape in front of Isetann Cinerama Complex
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Figure 2.2.5 Necessary and optional pathways
Contact Point
Isetann Cinerama Complex: The high ceiling walkway acts as a meetups point for regular
commuters before taking the LRT or a place to await their company. Moreover, the passersby
is attracted to the cool air from the entrance of complex and also local food stall that carrying
out across the road.
Low: The railing formed unintentional seating and form passive and chance contact with the
passerby.
High: Regular commuters form friendships and acquaintances among one another.
Although the five foot walkway along the shophouses in Medan Pasar has a more intimate
distance, the walkway of Isetann Cinerama Complex has a higher chance of contact as the
quality of the walkway is more favourable towards the crowds. As the five foot walkway only
allow necessary activities to happen, the cram and dilapidated walkway affected the optional
activities such as taking a stroll along the street happens less frequently.
As a conclusion, the community in Medan Pasar and University Belt prefer to perform their
optional activities in a shaded area because of similar climate and seasonal conditions.
However, the physical conditions of walkways and activities happens in surrounding is still a
external factors affecting the contact intensity.
13

2.3 Social Activities
Square of Medan Pasar vs Plaza Miranda
Social Activities is including children’s play, greetings and conversations, communal activities
of various kinds, and simply seeing and hearing other people.According Jan Gehl, social
activities depend on the presence of other public space. Communal spaces in cities and
residential areas become meaningful and attractive when necessary and optional activities
occur in combination and feed off each other. The social activities at Medan Pasar and
University belt are greatly affected by their distinct culture and communities.
The difference in activity may results in dissimilar communities and cultures in Medan Pasar
and University Belt. Although most of the occupants are foreign workers that taken over the
public square or street, Medan Pasar still remaining it historical context with rich cultural
around the area. There is a repeated cycle happening in this area, a new community arrived at
the area for a better economic means and leave after that. Unlike the Chinese community
which built up the place to enrich the value and sense of neighbourhood through their own
familiarity. In current situation, there is lacking of interaction among the community this is
because of the invasion of foreign community with diverse culture and is clashing local
community’s philosophy. Both of these user groups only interface through their daily
activities such as working and taking public transport. Optional and social activities are
hardly happen between these two communities. The vibrancy and sense of belongings of the
past has faded thus the opportunity of optional and social activities for the locals decreases.
Meanwhile, it increases the opportunity for foreign workers as they are depending on their
familiar communities in a foreign land. Even though the street has diminished the activities
for locals, they still instills sense of belonging through having cultural festivals or
performances. These will encourage crowds to gather and create optional and social activity.
Social activity has contributed into the square in Medan pasar, where local and foreigner
enjoy the company of each other at the open space. Landscape and the seating of the
surrounding increase the opportunity of people gather. The contact intensity range from low
to high.
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Figure 2.3.1 Medan Pasar when having events
Figure 2.3.2 Medan Pasar as gathering node
Contact Point
Old Market Square : Optional activities for local and foreigner to hangout after work, the
landscape and the events increase the opportunity of people gather.
Low: Locals and foreigners establish see and hear contact with each other.
High :This social platform provided them an opportunity to interact and advance into
friendships, close friendships and create a high contact intensity.
15

In contrast, University Belt are occupied by locals. Over the year, University Belt is having
high concentration of colleges and universities and causes it has become a notable places
where local communities has expanded their economic activity to general public along the
street or in a public plaza. The dwellers of University Belt are having a slower paced life in
the city, they are seem to have significant amount of time spending on leisure activities and
enjoying their free time in the plaza with their friends and family. This culture is welcomed
by the locals and driven more social interaction to happens by contributing the optional and
social activities.
The significant contact point at University Belt which contributing social activity is Plaza
Miranda. It act as a public square in front of the Church of Quipo. The open space is a
freedom park for the locals, usually is a platform for local’s market unless assemblies or
protests is held. With the absence of politicians events, thousands of locals will shop for
almost everything in this retails market.
Figure 2.3.2 Market in Plaza Miranda
Contact Point
Plaza Miranda : Social activities happens in this square because it usually is a platform for
commuter’s market. Most of the commuters will shop for almost everything in this retails
market.
Low: “See and hear” contacts between unfamiliar locals who acknowledge each other’s
presence. There is a possibility running into same person at daily basis or multiple occasions
and having chance of rising the contacts.
High: Between family members and a groups of friend who communicate with one and
another. Also, when assemblies or protest is held, locals are having common interests.
16

However, there is similar in terms of contact points as both are places of congregation for the
public to gather but they are dissimilar in terms of contact intensity as Plaza Miranda is more
passive and having a higher chance of contacts due to the variety activity happening and
having uniform community using the plaza. It increase the chances of social activity in a big
open plaza.
In a nutshell, the activities might affect the behaviour of community, it plays a major role in
forming the interaction on plaza as it is the main driving force of life. University Belt may
have a denser social activities and rich social cultures than Medan Pasar, but that does not
mean that the quality of place is better.
17

3.0 Conclusion
As a conclusion, human activities have affected most of the formation and completion of life
in between spaces. Both of these city share the similarity of human behaviour in response to
streetscape, culture, economic aspects and each of them have their own differences that leads
to having their own identity. One may recognised in Medan Pasar is the big plaza with
colourful heritage building always congested with buses and foreigner, but when we started
to look in details all these negative and insignificant activities will shattered. The place
become more interesting, the layers of culture within the life beyond the streets and plaza will
be discern. Activities that are present on the street attract people from different social classes,
each individual entwined together into a big community. The sense of belongings might be
found in all these little pocket spaces, we must envision all these pocket space together
instead of letting the unfamiliar communities to take over our land. Moreover, after studying
the contact point of University Belt most of the interaction happen is among local
community. This will make a difference in improving the urbanscape and the streets of
Malaysia as urban formation.
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4.0 References
Gehl, J. (2011) Life between buildings. Washington, D.C. [etc,]:Island press.
Lynch, K. (2012). The image of the city. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press
Leon, F. D. (1970, January 01). University Belt. Retrieved November 26, 2017, from
http://universitybeltmanila.blogspot.my/2012/11/map-of-university-belt-university-belt.html
The Urban Roamer's Quiapo Shopping Guide (Part 1). (2014, August 10). Retrieved
November 26, 2017, from
https://www.theurbanroamer.com/the-urban-roamers-quiapo-shopping-guide-part-1/#more-4
649
Ang Chee's Guide to The City. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2017, from
https://thinkcity.com.my/channel_post/a-guide-to-the-city/
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