Comparative Analysis Essay

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture
Theories of Architecture and Urbanism
Comparative Analysis Essay
Kan Sook San
0319326
Mr. Prince
Korea

Project 2: Comparative Analysis
2
[ARC61303] Theories of Architecture & Urbanism
Table Content
1.0 Introduction of Site
- Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman ( Jalan TAR), Kuala Lumpur
- Sejong Daero (Sejong Road), Seoul
2.0 Comparative Analysis Essay
3.0 Conclusion
4.0 Reference

3
1.0 Introduction of Site
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman ( Jalan TAR), Kuala Lumpur
Jalan TAR, a stretch of road well known for its boutique and shopping arcades, located in the
heart of a bustling city, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. It is one of the oldest roads of Kuala Lumpur
and the longest road of the city with shophouses set up along both side. Jalan TAR was originally
known as Batu Road as it was paved to cater for the rapid growth of tin mining activities in Batu
Village and limestone caves. Later, it was renamed after our first Prime Minister, “Jalan Tuanku
Abdul Rahman”. In the early 1980s, the district flourished, Jalan TAR was turned into one way
street from two way street to ease the traffic flow of the city.
During normal days, Jalan TAR sleeps early as the shops are closed by 10pm causes the street to
be less active. But there’s a night market at lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman (lorong TAR) attracts
attention every Saturday night. The hustle and bustle of the road and the surrounding areas do
not end at night during fasting month.
As time goes by, due to the urban development with commercial and business, some shophouses
are converted into tall building with more than 10 stories to cater different function such as
increase of occupant capacity and storage. Some of the pre-war shophouses whose distinctive
facades have been preserved and readapted to accommodate modern retailing businesses.
Jalan TAR Lorong TAR
Figure 1.1 Location of Jalan TAR and lorong TAR (left) and image of Jalan TAR (right)

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Sejong Daero (Sejong Road), Seoul
Sejong Daero is one of the most famous tourist attractions which located in the heart of the 600-
year-old historical city of Seoul that features museum, statues, restaurants, and beautiful
surrounding views. Sejongno acts as the main arterial road of the area and it was transformed
into a human-centered space that harmonizes with the beautiful scenery of Gyeongbokgung
Palace and Bukaksan Mountain with the inauguration of the Gwanghwamun square. The
buildings along the road are mainly government administration offices and commercial shops.
The road is named after Sejong The Great. In the 1900s, Sejongno was known as “A Place of
Power” where the main road used by the royalties to access Gyeongbokgung Palace with
buildings along the road fine grain businesses and homes of imperial officials. From 2000s till
present, Sejong Daero is transformed into pedestrian friendly downtown to create a high
walkability city. Therefore, 16-lane highway for vehicle is reduced to 10 lanes for pedestrian
walkways and bus stops are added along Sejongno for convenience of pedestrian.
Gwanghwamun
Highway for vehicles
Gwang
Gwanghwamun plaza
Figure 1.2 Location of Sejong Daero (left) and image of Sejong Daero (right)

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2.0 Comparative Analysis Essay
In the urban context, public space consists of entire spectrum of activities that acts as a
communal space for the community. It encourages and promotes social interactions that are able
to arouse the development of the city. According to Jahn Gehl’s “Life Between Buildings”,
outdoor activities can be categorized into three types which are necessary activities, optional
activities and social activities. Necessary activities involve compulsory action to be
accomplished in daily life, for instance, walking to work place, waiting for someone and et cetera.
Optional activities occur when outdoor conditions are optimal, these activities mostly dependent
on outdoor physical conditions. Social activities depend on the presence of others in public
spaces and occur spontaneously in any place and time, for example children at play, greetings
and conversations. Both site are located in historical context of the city and significantly
influenced the culture, social and economy in the growth of the city.
The scale is one of the main factors that affect the activities of urban context in a city. Both
sites are the main road in its respective cities but the scale of each site is different. At the same
time, the movement pattern of pedestrian could be different in both sites.
Shophouses are densely located along two sides of Jalan TAR because of the historical factor
in development of Kuala Lumpur. Small scale of road and walkway encourages the movement of
gathering. Human’s behavior prefers walking at five-foot-walkway as it provides intimacy scale
which is welcoming and the activities along the road are more concentrated in linear form. The
activities act as source of inspiration to offer stimulating experience such as the process of
trading. Moreover, especially in hot climate of Malaysia, five-foot-walkway contributes sun
shade for the pedestrian. Hence, it forms a shaded circulation.
Figure 2.1 shows the movement patterns of pedestrians along Jalan TAR
Jalan TAR
Shophouses
Shophouses

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On the contrary, Gwanghwamun square is located in between two highways within Sejong
Daero. Pedestrians are mostly gathered at the plaza as it is safe without traffic flow. Despite the
plaza is able to gather pedestrian, the movement pattern of the pedestrians is more scattered as
the sense of direction within a large and wide context is weak. Numerous attentions happen in a
place at the same time cause distraction as it is difficult for the people to concentrate. Thus, the
possibilities related to moderate intensity contact in the public spaces are higher.
Junction is a point where two or more roads join together. Zebra crossing is normally
provided at the junction for the pedestrians to cross the road safely. Despite the higher pedestrian
flow, the low intensity of contact point at junction does not function as gathering spot as crossing
the road is just necessary activity.
In Jalan TAR, the distance between zebra crossings is too far for convenience so people tend
to cross the road when there is no car to reach their desire destination. On that account, more
Highway
Highway
Gwanghwamun
square
Figure 2.2 shows the movement patterns of pedestrians along Sejong Daero
Figure 2.3 shows the distance between zebra crossing and way pedestrian crosses Jalan TAR

7
contact points are formed along the road but each has low degree of contact intensity as
necessary activities often take place.
In contrast, pedestrians are not able to cross the road simply as the highway is too wide and
dangerous. Sejong Daero has high density of traffic flow so pedestrians feel unsafe to cross the
road. Therefore, contact points are concentrated at the junction but with low contact intensity.
Alley is always a surprising factor in an urban context. In both sites, many alleyways are
located perpendicular to the main road, these create turning point where the main road and alley
intersect. Narrow alley is such an intimate scale towards human compared to wide road. The
ability of the alley to congregate people depends on the physical environment.
The privatization of public realm takes place in narrow alleys of Jalan TAR. Within an alley, it is
occupied partially for private use as business strategy and increase of their space of the shops.
Figure 2.4 shows the width of the road of Sejong Daero with pedestrian crossing
Figure 2.5 shows the privatization of public realm at alley by stall vendors

8
This has led to the reduction of vehicle density and also allowed more pedestrian flow at the
alley. Therefore social activities occur as the pedestrians are attracted to the products showcased,
and then generate a spontaneous conversation between stall vendor and consumer. The moderate
intensity level of contact point has an opportunity to be increased if the consumer makes a
bargain with the shop owners.
On the other hand, the alleys in Sejong Daero are not pedestrian friendly as walkways are not
provided but vehicles are able to go through freely, in result of unsafe condition for the
pedestrian. Social interaction is barely promoted because less activity happens within the alley
where the attention is likely to be neglected.
Both Jalan TAR and Sejong Daero are of historical significance to the city during the
development of the city and now both have become tourist attractions. But they offer different
social and visual experiences to the pedestrian in consequences of vary intensity level of contact
point.
Figure 2.7 shows image and ambience of Coliseum Theater and Coliseum Cafe
Figure 2.5 shows the alley of Sejong Daero

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Coliseum Theater and Coliseum Café are the most iconic buildings in Jalan TAR. Back then,
the café is a favourite gathering spot for British government servants, plantation managers, tin
miners and their families. Both buildings serve as the landmark to allow people to orientate
themselves and give a sense of direction in Jalan TAR. When approaching the buildings, the
colonial façade reflects the old architectural style that is scarce in the city, hence it draws
attention of the pedestrian as it exude that nostalgia ambience. The buildings are often functioned
as meeting place of Jalan TAR, they slow down the pace of pedestrians and trigger the boost of
contact intensity as the activities take place.
Comparatively, a traditional performance of guard-changing ceremony will be held in front of
the Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung daily. During the time without performance, pedestrians
walk pass the gate without hesitation. The visual and sound of the performance inspires other
people to halt and watch thus it has become an optional activity. Broad surface on the front court
of Daehanmun promotes fast walking pace unless there is the performance that acts as the
attraction.
Based on Jahn Gehl’s findings, when the quality of the outdoor areas are poor, only strictly
necessary activities occur. When the outdoor areas are of high quality, optional activities occur
Figure 2.8 shows the happening of guard-changing ceremony at the front court of Daehanmun

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with increasing frequency on account of rising number of social activities substantially. This is
because of better situations invite people to stay longer.
Contact points are often formed at narrow alley and walkway whereas the wide and spacious
plaza besides Coliseum Theater has low intensity contact point. Usually plaza has the
possibilities to become a gathering spot. Although the plaza is tiled to attract attention, it does
not provide shades for pedestrians under hot climate. But, pedestrians see it as a pass by route,
thence, it becomes necessary activity.
Figure 2.10 shows that Seoul Plaza provides greenery in the city
Figure 2.9 shows the image of plaza besides Coliseum Theatre

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Conversely, Seoul Plaza is a spacious oval-shaped green plaza surrounded by tall buildings, it
shows contrast to the environment. Rather than monotonous steel and glass structure, the
greenery gives off different atmosphere towards pedestrians. The green plaza acts as a buffer
zone in the city where it becomes a community collector. People have picnic with their families
or white collars prefer to have lunch and conversation there.
In reference to Jahn Gehl, people choose to sit in public spaces. For instance, seating that
provides a good view of surrounding activities are used frequently than seating with less or no
view of others. Seating can be divided into two types: primary seating and supplementary seating.
Primary seating is designated with purpose like benches at the bus stop whereas supplementary
seating is spontaneously formed such as stairs in front of a building. Supplementary seating is
found to be the major seating for both sites.
Figure 2.11 shows families having picnic at Seoul Plaza
Figure 2.12 shows interaction between street artist and audience

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In Jalan TAR, the few steps in front of Sogo shopping mall are the main supplementary
seating for resting and it provides a view of street performances. This has driven the visual and
sound connection between the street artists and the audiences. Furthermore, the performances are
source of inspiration and uniquely stimulating experience for the pedestrians. Thus, all forms of
human activities appeared to be of major interest in this connection. The degree of contact
intensity rises frequently as long as the diverse social interactions occur.
Accordingly, Cheonggyecheon stream provides a large open space for the people to host
events and community activities. It is also a meeting and resting point for the people. The distinct
levels between the plaza and the stream draw pedestrian down into the high strollable walkway
along the stream. The shallow water at the stream is the main source of inspiration that makes
people to have the urge to play with it. This will help to develop more impromptu social event
and connection.
Figure 2.13 shows the human activities at Cheonggyecheon stream

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3.0 Conclusion
In the analysis of both cities on the pattern of social activities, types of contact points and the
degree of contact intensity, the differences in social, culture, urban planning and public spaces
play a vital role in establishing the image of a city. People can interact with one another are
always stimulating because they are rich in experiences. People are in need for stimulation in
their life to avoid becoming dull and monotonous. Therefore, human activities have become a
major factor in formation of life between buildings.
(2113 words)

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4.0 Reference
1. Gehl, J. (2011). Life between buildings. Washington, DC: Island Press.
2. Malaysia.travel. (n.d.). Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman | Tourism Malaysia. [online] Available at:
http://www.malaysia.travel/en/au/places/states-of-malaysia/kuala-lumpur/jalan-tuanku-abdul-
rahman [Accessed 30 Jun. 2017].
3. English.visitkorea.or.kr. (n.d.). Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony |
Official Korea Tourism Organization. [online] Available at:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=292962 [Accessed 1 Jul. 2017].
4. Lim, C. (2013). Coliseum Cafe serves up rich history - Community | The Star Online. [online]
Thestar.com.my. Available at:
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2013/07/20/coliseum-cafe-serves-up-rich-history-
it-receives-award-for-longest-operating-western-colonialthemed/ [Accessed 27 Jun. 2017].
5. Park, M. (2015). Ever-evolving Gwanghwamun to be altered anew. [online] Korea JoongAng
Daily. Available at: http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3007803
[Accessed 1 Jul. 2017].

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