This document defines tropical public spaces and discusses case studies of Merdeka Square and KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur. It analyzes the values in tropical public space architecture, including accommodating the climate, preserving local life, and crime prevention. The document examines how to connect tropical public spaces to people by making them accessible and generating local economy. It compares tropical communal and public spaces and considers tropical public spaces that suit a fishing village.

1. Seminar :
TROPICAL PUBLIC SPACES
Studio Social Culture – 21st Century Tropical Fishing Village
MBEA 1119 | Sem 1 2012/2013
Siti ‘Aishah Binti Ahmad Kamil | MB 121046

2. DEFINITION
 Tropical – climate to mean warm to hot and moist year-round, often with the
sense of lush vegetation.
 Public – Exposed to general view, of or relating to people in general , of or
relating to business or community interests as opposed to private affairs,
accessible to or shared by all members of the community [1]
 Space – The three dimensional field in which objects and events occur and
have relative position and direction esp. a portion of that field set apart in a
given instance or for a particular purpose [2]
So…
Tropical public space is a free-accessible area for any purposes that
inclines with features (architectural) that comply to the tropical (esthetic) values.
[1] (Merriam-Websterr Dictionary)
[2] . (D.K. Ching-Architecture: Form, Space & Order)

3. DEFINITION
Public spaces can be limited to only few options of utilizing it….

4. DEFINITION
…and public spaces also
can be fully occupied to any functions
and fulfill any certain needs of the
people.

5. ISSUES
 How to relate/connect the
 What are the values in the architecture of
tropical
public spaces with the people?
tropical public spaces ?
 What are the
tropical public
spaces that suits the fishing village?

6. CASE STUDY 1 | MERDEKA SQUARE
Background
The name Dataran Merdeka or Merdeka
Square is formed when the Union Jack was
lowered and Malayan Flag hoisted at 12.01am on
August 31, 1957, marking Malaysia's independence
from the British rule. A 100 metre high flagpole,
one of the tallest in the world, was erected at the
very place on the independence day, proudly flies
the Malaysian flag.
Formerly known as Selangor Club Padang,
Location plan with context

7. CASE STUDY 1 | MERDEKA SQUARE
Contextual Map

8. CASE STUDY 1 | MERDEKA SQUARE
Contextual Map

9. CASE STUDY 1 | MERDEKA SQUARE
Conceptual Approaches
The square is not just an assembly area
but also ‘witnessed’ the country’s most
historical development.
- Purposes : various events like national events
(National Day celebrations, police parades and street
parades ), open air concerts, carnivals, starting/finishing
point for marathons, and the field here was the venue
for and cricket matches etc.
- Beneath the Dataran Merdeka house a food, leisure
and entertainment complex called Plaza Putra and an
underground parking bay.

10. CASE STUDY 1 | MERDEKA SQUARE
Perceptual Approaches
Centralized - surrounded by
many remarkable historical
buildings or landmarks.
-Used to be the focal point
of Kuala Lumpur.
-Located in the middle of the
town; strategic place to recognize
it as one of the significant
landmark.
- Connected to its context by
pedestrian walkways.

11. CASE STUDY 1 | MERDEKA SQUARE
SWOT Analysis
 Strength – the open space (field/realm) provides variety to public in utilize the
area without any limitation caused by architectural element (hardscapes).
 Weakness – No shelter to cover from the unpredictable climatic changes
 Opportunity – Revelation to many types of public-gathered activities.
 Threat – Cleanliness will not be at its best without proper management (since it is
open for anyone).

12. CASE STUDY 2 | KLCC PARK
Background
 This all-year opened for public is a park
located at KLCC, Kuala Lumpur
operated by KLCC Properties.
 Total area – 20 hectares
 Designed by - The park was designed by
Roberto Burle Marx.

It is said that it was the last work
undertaken by the Brazilian architect.
 When the park was designed, the aim
was to "leave the world a little more
sensitive and a little more educated to
the importance of nature"

13. CASE STUDY 2 | KLCC PARK
 The park was designed to showcase a
heritage of tropical greenery by
integrating man's creation with nature.
 The park itself contrasts as a calm
environment in the midst of the hustle
and bustle of the city.
 The park features many combinations of
man-made design such as cements,
water features and also natural features
such as trees, shrubs, stones and wood.

Elements of shape and topography were
created to give an illusion of space. The
combination of trees, shrubs and
sculptures were arranged to provide
color and form to the park.

14. CASE STUDY 2 | KLCC PARK
Main attractions
 Playground
 Swimming pool (for kids only)
 Jogging/walking pathways
 ‘Wakaf’/gazebo
 Fountains

15. CASE STUDY 2 | KLCC PARK
SWOT Analysis
 Strength – Vegetation at the specific area can attract people to enjoy outdoors
activities because it provides shelters to the people.
 Weakness – Maintenance cost can increase because of the many inhabitant
elements used as a part of the park (lake, trees). Hardscapes can sometimes
limiting the opportunity of expanding the space’s function.
 Opportunity – Specific design of hardscapes can encourage people to ‘go out and
play’.
 Threat – Less CPTED. Not enough congestion – not enough people at the area
(women and men are not balance) is a threat for the women.

16. ANALYSIS
Movement to Space
o Public space is located outside the private area
o Method of approaching the space - frontal, oblique, spiral [3]
o Clearly segregated public with private/semi-private space
o i.e.: Soccer field, ice-skating park
[3] . (D.K. Ching-Architecture: Form, Space & Order)

17. Movement through Space
ANALYSIS
o Public space is located within/interconnected the private/semiprivate area
o Movement is inwards the space but do not exceed to disturb any
private/semi-private boundaries.
o Public and private/semi-private space can sometimes located within
each other
o i.e.: Butterfly park, Lake park etc.

18. ANALYSIS
 What are the values in the architecture of
tropical public spaces ?
Architectural features that fits the climatic changes
to be considered in the design.
-
Pedestrian walkways that specifically designed
for long walk.
-
Good air circulation and thermal control as this
climate is hot and humid.
-
Sheltered as the rain can come like cats and
dogs.
Preserving the nature of their everyday life
routine – architecturally.

19. ANALYSIS
 What are the values in the architecture of
tropical public spaces ?
Good crime surveillance and crime prevention through
environmental design should be in consideration (practice).
-
Better lighting, better sightlines, addition of food/beverage
kiosk or any human operational structure
-
Programmed events to create activity and attract more
people [4]
[4] . D. Jerke, D.R. Porter,T.J. Lassar; Urban Design and the Bottom Line.

20. ANALYSIS
 How to relate/connect the
tropical
public spaces with the people?
The public space is not too far from
their house compound.
Public space is what public desire to have,
not only what we think of what they
desire to/should have.
-
Study on what sort of reasoning they
are in the needs of public spaces.

21. ANALYSIS
 How to relate/connect the
tropical
public spaces with the people?
The public space is generating new
economy for the villagers.
-
Open-air fishing museum that
participated by the villagers
-
Bicycle park for the tourists to
go around the village

22. COMPARISON
Tropical Communal Space
Tropical Public Space
• Spaces can cater to a
smaller network of
neighbors or exist as larger
gathering space for a
community
• a free-accessible area for
any purposes that inclines
with features
(architectural) that comply
to the tropical (esthetic)
values.

23. ANALYSIS
tropical public spaces
 What are the
that suits the fishing village?

24. THE END.