Urban

1. Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
(ARC61303)
Project 2: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY
Nam Cheong Street,
Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
Jalan Mendaling, Jalan Tukang & Jalan Reko
Kajang, Malaysia
Name: Vanessa Chai Pei Yei
Student ID: 0327887
Tutor: Mr.
Prince Favis Isip
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism

2. CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Introduction to Project
1.2 Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
1.3 Jalan Mendaling, Kajang, Malaysia
2.0 Comparative Essay
2.1 Contact Point 1: Street and Building Typology
2.2 Contact Point 2: Sidewalk and Bus Stop
2.3 Contact Point 3: Food Stall
2.4 Contact Point 4: Pocket Parks
3.0 Conclusion
4.0 References
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism

3. 1.0. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Introduction to Project
Street is not just an two dimensional surface where vehicles and pedestrian passes by from one
place to another but it is a multimodal transportation network that provide sustainable growth,
equal economic opportunity and high quality of life in a city. To support the urban context and
ensure high quality of life in the city, the capacity of urban street must be increase. A street shall
have a characteristic of being the basic unit of urban space for the peoples to experience they
city.
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
First life, then spaces then buildings - the
other way around never works. - Jan Gehl
In “Life Between Buildings: Using Public
Space” by Jan Gehl, He mentions about the
relationship of the environment of urban
public space that enhance the people’s
quality of life and the experiences of
buildings or cities.
An in depth comparative analysis will be
carried out between the case study of Sham
Shui Po, Hong Kong and Jalan Mendaling,
Kajang, Malaysia. The research essay will
further explain about the comparison
between both streets on the patterns of
social activities, type of contact points, the
varying degrees of contact intensity between
the two streets, and hot the built environment
affects or promotes the behavioural patterns
and condition to happen.
LIFE
SPACE
BUILDING
Figure 1.2 The public space the public life, Jan Gehl
Figure 1.1. Diagram showing the urban street
( Source:Ink, S. What is a Street 2018.)

4. Sham Shui Po is an area located in northwestern
part of Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong. Nam
Cheong Street is the earliest streets in Sham
Shui Po that known as “Lace Street” as the
business along the street is mainly lace shops.
The name of Nam Cheong Street was named
after Mr Chan Nam Cheong (1900-1971), a
prominent local businessmen who bought land in
Sham Shui Po for development.
The British rented a
new territory located
at the northern part
of Jie Xian Street,
which forms Sham
Shui Po after years.
Nam Cheong Street
was an important
settlement at the
time as it was mainly
comprised of
residential areas.
After land
reclamation, the
urban layout of
Sham Shui Po are
planned well in a
grid layout which
eases the circulation
of military
transportation.
However, the
residents were
distributed into
separated public
spaces as there is
no center focus
point due to the
layout.
The urban planning
of the northern part
of Qin Zhou Street
are large in scale
and is mainly used
as residential,
business and
recreational areas.
Highway separated
the new land
reclamation which is
reserved as
residential area.
Today the street is
filled with a variety of
activities, where one
could witness
elderlies chatting on
the pocket park
bench, rows of local
delicacies and fabric
shops, loading of
goods at the shop
front and signages
over the building
facades.
1.2. Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
Figure 1.3. Photo of Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui
Po, Hong Kong
Figure 1.4. Morphology of Sham Shui Po

5. In 1800’s, there are
small population in
Kajang. The
Maindaling
community arrived
from Rawa, Jawa
and Sumatra. After
that they have an
agreement with the
British on opening
the first tin mine in
Kajang, 1860’s
Southern Chinese
migrants were
brought in by Towkay
Chin Ah Chan to
work on tin mining.
The first batch of
brick buildings were
built by the Chinese
migrants.
In 1900’s, Shoplots
were constructed
along Jalan
Mendaling and Jalan
Tukang due to
growing population
of the Chinese
community. The
earliest batch of
shops is to house
secret societies and
build coffee shops. A
batch of one storey
buildings are built
along Jalan tengah
with one opening
each as a horse
stables. Currently the
most narrow street in
the area.
In 1960’s, the
success on the tin
mining had brought
in more fortune
seekers. The
population began to
grow and houses are
developed. Then, the
railway lines are build
to distribute the tin
mining. Due to bigger
job opportunities,
people start to
migrate to the city.
The traditional
businesses failed and
loss of inheritance
skills.
2000’s, The
traditional identity of
the town is subtle yet
still remains.
Shoplots project
inconsistent
arrangement. There
are shophouses from
the 1900’s
embedded in
between the newly
constructed
shoplots.
There are new lines
of MRT, Sungai
Buloh to Kajang line
and bus stations are
increased in the area.
1.3. Jalan Mendaling, Kajang, Malaysia
After Klang War in 1807, Kajang was founded
and developed. Due to the central location of
Cheras, Bangi, Semenyih and Negeri Sembilan,
Kajang was known as the district capital of Hulu
Langat. The changing of business from tin to
rubber estate had make Kajang as the most
developed sub-urban township in Klang Valley.
Jalan Mendaling was filled with heritage
buildings which have eclectic architecture style,
modern architecture style.
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
Figure 1.5. Photo of Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui
Po, Hong Kong
Figure 1.6. Morphology of Kajang Old Town

6. In the book “Life Between Building: Using Public Space” by Jan Gehl, outdoor activities can be
categorized into necessary activities, optional activities and social activities. Necessary activities
are mostly compulsory by the people using the space for daily activities such as walking to work or
school. Moreover, optional activities take place when there is a desire to participate in these
activities under a favorable exterior conditions. Furthermore, social activities happens when people
interact each other in a public space, those activities such as children playing, greeting and
conversations, communal activities. It also depends on the presence of other activities and people
in the public space.
“Life Between Building: Using Public Space” has highlighted the public life and space where Gehl
explores the occurrence of various activities in urban context and how they can bring a better
quality of life in cities.
Contact points are a opportunities for interaction between people in public scenario such as
modest “see and hear contacts” and communication between acquaintances These contact points
can be classified into varying degrees from the low intensity to high intensity.
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
2.0. COMPARATIVE ESSAY
Figure 2.1. Diagram showing the relationship
between outdoor spaces and quality of environment
( Source: Jan Gehl Life Between Building: Using Public Space pg. 13)
Figure 2.2. Diagram showing from the lowest to the highest intensities
( Source: jan Gehl Life Between Building: Using Public Space pg.15 )

7. 2.1. Contact Point 1: Street and Building Typology
Vehicular circulation, side parking and shopfront are those important elements that create main
street. Both streets are having pedestrian and vehicle path running along. This highlights the
different route of circulation that individuals can use on site. For example, individuals may choose
to drive or walk conveniently to their destination.
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
2.0. COMPARATIVE ESSAY
Figure 2.4. Street element in Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
Figure 2.3. Street element in Jalan Mendaling, Kajang
Shop front
Street elements

8. Along the Nam Cheong Street, side parking in front of the shophouses are not available. Thus,
people may need to park their vehicle in the assigned parking area or take public transportation.
Usually, this enables walkability on-site where pedestrians are encouraged to park their vehicle a
short walking distance and take a brief walk to their destination. During the night, there are also
shops and eatery stall opens along the street. As result, the high intensity of pedestrian flow and
happening events improve the vibrant atmosphere along the street.
In the other hand, the Old Kajang Town have more services buildings such as Maybank and etc.
Side parking are provided on site Hence, only necessary activities such as walking to the bank
within a short distance, had been carried out by people during the working hours of these shop
ranges from 9am-6pm. In the evening to night time, the street has a lower intensity of pedestrian
flow and activities conducted by the pedestrians or locals along the street.
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism

9. 2.2. Contact Point 2: Sidewalk and Bus Stop
Referring to Gehl’s theories that life and traffic exist side by side in the same space, which
functions simultaneously as a space for outdoor stays and a connecting link (Jan Gehl, 2011, pg
109). The similarities that both streets having bus stop on few point of the street. This showcase
the influences of bus stop to the pedestrians route. The sidewalk in Nam Cheong Street and the 5
foot walkway in Jalan Mendaling are a contact points because both of it has become a spaces
where necessary activities take place, people tend to walk pass everyday without taking second
look.
In Nam Cheong Street, bus stop area does not provide seating. People normally waiting for bus
by standing along the sidewalk or seating in vacant shop. There are few bus stop locations along
Nam Cheong Street, this result the people are disperse along the street. Each part of the street
are more lively. Due to the high density residential, and it is on a vertical plane of the street,
residents from the entire neighborhood meet on the sidewalk and utilise it for daily unplanned
activities. Sidewalk permits private towards public space. Hence, there are more contact
between the people, who works, stay or pass by.
There are different situation in Jalan Mendaling, there are 2 bus stop. People usually passes by
the walkways toward both bus stop and wait for the transportation. The bus stop in Jalan
Mendaling provide seating. Hence the walkway has become a path toward the bus stop, bus
stop become where people interact and “see and hear” contact.
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
Figure 2.5. Bus Stop nearby Jalan Mendaling, Kajang Figure 2.6. Bus Stop nearby Jalan Mendaling, Kajang

10. ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
Figure 2.7. Bus Stop along Nam Cheong Street, Sham
Shui Po
Figure 2.8. Bus Stop along Nam Cheong Street, Sham
Shui Po
Figure 2.9. Diagram show the relationship between sidewalk and human activities

11. 2.3. Contact Point 3: Food Stall or Kopitiam
Food stall or kopitiam is one of the attraction or spaces for people to interact. Chop Tong Sing
Kopitiam in Jalan Mendaling and Keung Kee Food Stall has a different arrangements and
environments. Chop Tong Sing run the business in a old enclose shophouse in Jalan Mendaling
but Keung Kee Food Stall is on the open sidewalk. Both of the eatery shop are the heritage in
along the street.
Keung Kee Food Stall open from 7am to 2am daily. Due to the stall is next to the road, while
pedestrians crossing from other side of the sidewalk, they can visual the whole food stall from
kitchen to the seating to the people eating and cooking. It is more easy to bumped into people
that they know when they sitting along the sidewalk. This promoted the social activities in this
area, they will stop by to meet and greet with their friends. Other than that, pedestrians are
attracted by the big crowded eating at there and tend to have meal there (Jan Gehl, 2011. pg23).
When there are tables and chairs, although it obstruct the sidewalk but yet it slow down the
pedestrians result social interaction between pedestrians.
Chop Tong Sing Kopitiam open from 6am to 11.30am only. This is a kopitiam that run in a
shophouse. Due to the kopitiam started in the year of 1957 to current, it has become a daily route
of the residents surrounding, people who came from other city attracted also because “people
attracted to other people” (Jan Gehl, 2011. pg23). Thus this has become a contact point along
the street, where the residents usually mingle around during the morning time.
In term of operation times of both eateries, it has create a huge different. Chop Tong Sing only
provide people space for contact during the morning, it has a lower human flow and lower the
intensity of contact during afternoon and night compare to Keung Kee Food Stall in Hong Kong.
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
Figure 2.10. Image show the exterior of Chop Tong Sing
Kopitiam
Figure 2.11. Image show the interior of Chop Tong Sing
Kopitiam

12. ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
Figure 2.12. Image show the seating area of Keung Kee
Food Stall
Figure 2.13. Image show the food preparation area of
Keung Kee Food Stall
Figure 2.14. Diagram show the section of the food stall

13. 2.4. Contact Point 4: Pocket Space and Public Space
According to Gehl’s people like to sit in public, benches that provides better views of surrounding
activities are used more often than benches with less or no view of others. In both Nam Cheong
Street and Jalan Mendaling, there are a pocket space and public space that have similar
function. These spaces has become a gathering spaces or spaces for people to bring out their
daily activities. Benches are placed along the garden of Nam Cheong Street and in the Public
space in Jalan Mendaling.
In Nam Cheong Street, the pocket parts is a better spaces for people to carry out their activities.
The park contain a lots of greenery such as big tall trees or small busses. Shaded are provided in
the park by the trees and the medium rise building on the both side. The greenery in the pocket
space make the space more relaxing, increase the desire of people to carry out their daily
necessary activities.
Based on my experiences on site, the public space have less users. Although the public space
located in between the shophouses, the intense sunlight cannot be blocked by both blocks or the
greenery on site. The public space has become a pass by walkway only for the pedestrians. The
materials and arrangement of benches have reduce the desire of people to use it. It is too heaty
in the noon due to the seats are made out of steel, and only one of the benches facing towards
the main roads and others facing towards the empty wall of the shophouses. But yet, there are a
huge bulky bus stop that blocked the view from the benches. In Jalan Mendaling people are
more prefer to sit in the bus stop or planter box that brings shades.
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
Figure 2.15.Seating area in the public space nearby
Jalan Mendaling

14. ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
Figure 2.16. Seating area in the pocket park of Nam
Cheong Street
Figure 2.17. Seating area in the pocket park of Nam
Cheong Street

15. The comparative analysis essay between Jalan Mendaling, Kajang and Nam Cheong Street,
Hong Kong can be concluded with how human behaviour has carry out by the built environment,
as in social patterns and street culture. As a urban street, interaction between people that uses
public spaces has been there for people to carry out their necessary, optional and social
activities.
Both streets are likely similar in function but different in experiences. Both streets serve as a
commercial and services area. But in Jalan Mendaling, people come and go, as there have a
lesser stop point for people to stay for socialize or mingle around. In Nam Cheong Street, people
stay in the pocket park to socialize.
Jalan Mendaling has a lower contact intensity compare to Nam Cheong Street. This is due to the
population of resident in Nam Cheong Street are more than Jalan Mendaling. Furthermore, the
residentials area is in vertical plane along the Nam Cheong Street and the resident unit are
smaller, residents forced to have their daily activities on the street.
“Extension of opportunities for outdoor stays exactly where everyday activities take place with
almost without exception be a valuable contribution to a given function and to life between
buildings in the building project, in the neighborhood, and in the city” - Jan Gehl. From my
perspective, these contact point is the essence of how urban street create life between buildings
within the city. A more lively urban context in the city, it can result more people desire to stay or
visit.
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
3.0. CONCLUSION

16. Book
Gehl, J., & Koch, J. (2011). Life between buildings: Using public space. Washington, DC: Island
Press.
Website
Ink, S. (2018, April 12). What is a Street.
Retrieved from
https://globaldesigningcities.org/publication/global-street-design-guide/defining-streets/what-is-
a-street/
The best dai pai dongs in Hong Kong. (n.d.).
Retrieved from
https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/restaurants/best-dai-pai-dong-hong-kong
Streetscapes: Preserving and promoting Kajang's heritage. (2018, December 17).
Retrieved from
https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/streetscapes-preserving-and-promoting-kajangs-
heritage
ARC 61303 Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
4.0. REFERENCES