Tales of Three Cities

Cheok Kah Ying
Daren Lai Kam Fei
Gavin Tio Kang Hui
Loi Chi Wun
Ng Jing Yuan
Ng Zien Loon
Sim Li Mei
Wendy Lau Jia Yee
Tutor : Ar. Lim Wey Shan
0328560
0332570
0333373
0328652
0331472
0328565
0328623
0333538
Bachelor of Science
(Honours) in Architecture
TALES
OF
THREE
CITIES
ARC61003

ABSTRACT Page 01
1.0 INTRODUCTION Page 02
1.1 Key Plan of Kuala Lumpur
1.2 Location Plan of Pasar Seni - Petaling Street
1.3 Site Plan of Pasar Seni - Petaling Street
2.0 FIGURE GROUND ANALYSIS Page 06
2.1 Solid and Void
2.2 Land Use Distribution
2.3 Vertical Zoning
2.4 Public-private Space
2.5 Building Typology
2.6 Scale
2.7 Usability of Open Space
2.8 Landscape
3.0 SERIAL VISION Page 15
3.1 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock
3.2 Pasar Seni
3.3 Petaling Street
4.0 COLLAGE CITY Page 18
5.0 THE FIVE IMAGES OF CITIES Page 19
5.1 Path
5.2 Edge
5.3 Node
5.4 District
5.5 Landmark
CONTENT LIST
MAPPING THE TOWNSCAPE 00

6.0 URBAN DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER Page 24
6.1 Morphology
6.2 Clustered Organization
6.3 Social Fabric
6.4 Typology In-Between Building
6.5 Triangular Building Typology
6.6 Scale
6.7 Active and Passive Facade
6.8 Green Edge
6.9 Conclusion
7.0 TALES OF WISH Page 34
7.1 Comparison of three cities
7.2 City of Wishes
8.0 CONCLUSION Page 39
9.0 REFERENCE Page 40
CONTENT LIST

ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
Started from the confluence of Klang River and Gombak River, the
Kuala Lumpur town, the streets, and settlements slowly expand into
what it is today. Pasar Seni and Petaling Street are located near the
confluence of the rivers, hence its urban development is closely tied
to the urban planning of Kuala Lumpur, and has rich urban context.
This study takes place in Pasar Seni-Petaling Street, a town that holds
plethora information and layers of history on site that dates back to
19’s century. The spatial form of the city is documented and analysed
to note the key spatial experience that is driven by the urban form and
content. The study focuses on the tangible and intangible typologies
of ‘in-between’ spaces which are prevalent in the context of the city at
street scale. The analysis is speculated from three distinctive aspects;
form, activity and movement, based on the Jan Gehl’s study tools of
public life.
In short, this study illustrates and concludes the relationship between
the typologies of ‘in-between’ space and its effect on the usage of path
in Pasar Seni-Petaling Street.

INTRODUCTION
1.1 KEY PLAN OF KUALA LUMPUR
1.2 LOCATION PLAN OF PASAR
SENI-PETALING STREET
1.3 SITE PLAN OF PASAR
SENI-PETALING STREET
1.0

Petaling Street or ‘ Chee Cheong Kai’ in Cantonese is Malaysia's
Chinatown, a place where early settlers came to Kuala Lumpur in
pursuit of wealth from the booming tin mining industry in the 1800s.
They were largely Cantonese and Hakkas who came to the city
because of the tin trade, working as coolies in the mines. They were
governed by a Chinese Kapitan or headman. The most famous
Chinese Kapitan is Yap Ah Loy, a Hakka.
Chinatown's origins centred on market square ( current Central
Market) and along Jalan Tun H.S Lee, formerly known as High Street
due to its higher grounds. This strip became a popular place for
settlements because it was less prone to floods.
In 1870, civil war erupted with the Chinese community being split
along partisan lines into the Hokkien-Cantonese Ghee Hin and the
Hakka Hai San secret societies over the control of tin and related
trade. The fighting was so intense, it halted tin mine production
altogether. The British administration was forced to intervene,
marking its first such involvement in local politics. The war led to the
destruction of many buildings as well as abandonment of several
mines.
During the Selangor Civil War, the tin mines were abandoned and
when the miners returned after the war, they found that the mines
were flooded and therefore could not work. Yap Ah Loy persuaded the
miners and coolies to remain in KL and the Malays in surrounding
districts to grow rice and other garden products to refocus their skills
on the agriculture sector instead. He set up a tapioca mill in Petaling
Street where the tubers from his farms were brought here to be ground
into flour. Petaling Street is therefore fondly called ‘Chee Cheong
Kai’ in Cantonese which means starch factory street.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.0 INTRODUCTION

Diagram 1.1 Key plan of Kuala Lumpur
Capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Over 8 million people live within
this area which is clearly noticeable by the huge and vast amounts of
traffic. As a vibrant multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society provide
the stimulus to guide urban design initiatives to create a distinct and
unique city identity. A friendly melting point of nationalities, religions
and cultures prompt people to identify more closely with the City and
each other, thus fostering a sense of community and social harmony.
1.1 KEY PLAN
KUALA
LUMPUR
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Pasar Seni

Pasar Seni and Petaling Street located near to the Klang river where
the nucleus of the city began. The development grew near the
confluence of Klang river and Gombak river and extend further.
Evolved from the Chinese original settlement, the historical Chinese
Old Town is still an area full of vibrance.
Diagram 1.2 Location plan
1.2 LOCATION PLAN
PASAR SENI -
PETALING STREET
1.0 INTRODUCTION

A townscape as cultural heritage strategically located in the heart of
Kuala Lumpur, encompassess Petaling Street and Central Market. An
essence integration of cityspace which maintain the traditional
atmosphere presenting the historical visual treat along the street.
Diagram 1.3 Site plan
1.3 SITE PLAN
PASAR SENI -
PETALING STREET
1.0 INTRODUCTION

FIGURE
GROUND
ANALYSIS
2.1 SOLID & VOID
2.2 LAND USE DISTRIBUTION
2.3 VERTICAL ZONING
2.4 PRIVATE-PUBLIC SPACE
2.5 BUILDING TYPOLOGY
2.6 SCALE
2.7 CIRCULATION
2.8 USABILITY OF OPEN SPACE
2.9 LANDSCAPE
2.0

Urban solid made up of predominant field of blocks with repetition of
pre-shaped parcels. Significant urban solid, the public institution is set
off by public space. Urban void acts as the primary network of streets
and squares, as the city linkage for vehicles and pedestrians and
unifying city by serving social function and active city public life.
The mixed-used street is preserved and acting as the nodes for the
city.
Diagram 2.1 Solid and void
2.1 SOLID & VOID
COHERENCE
2.0 FIGURE GROUND ANALYSIS

The land use of the area is brimming with work and tourism purposes.
The area encompasses spaces of different functions such as
commercial, institutional, religious, educational, etc. Commercialised
shoplots, guesthouses and hotels occupy the highest percentage of
land use distribution. The open space located adjacent to the Pasar
Seni Central Market is used as a car park.
Diagram 2.2 Land use distribution
2.2 LAND USE DISTRIBUTION
DISPERSE
Educational
Undeveloped cleared
lands
Institutional
Commercial
Religious

The zoning of area A and area B shared the same approached where
the ground floor of the shops are mainly used for commercial
purpose. First floor or upper floor are either semi public or private for
residential and institutional purpose.
Diagram 2.3 Vertical zoning
2.3 VERTICAL ZONING
FRAGMENT
A
B
Area A -
Area B -
Commercial
Residential
Abandoned
Religious

The accessibility of buildings to public is determined by the function
housed by each. Commercial spaces by nature are public spaces,
institutional and educational spaces caters to only certain groups of
people, while residentials are exclusive to provide privacy to its user
groups.
Diagram 2.4 Private-public spaces
2.4 PRIVATE-PUBLIC SPACE
BINARY
Semi-public
Public
Private

Townscape utilizing the geographical relationship between sense of
place and social capacity at the collective and individual level. Spatial
dimensions at the individual level and a schema of spatial clustering
at the collection level constitute a non-disjoint relationship amid
clustered spatial.
Diagram 2.5 Building typology
2.5 BUILDING TYPOLOGY
DEMEANOR
Collective
Individual

Random high scale of building scattered within the low structure
create contrast and emphasis. Unorganised scaling in urban planning
varying degree whilst prompt an inconsistency along the persistent
scale of structure create sense of disparity in urban void.
Diagram 2.6 Scale
2.6 SCALE
ERRATIC
≤2 storeys
>2 storeys

Circulation connects the urban spaces through movement. Circulation
route in the area consists of pedestrian circulation route and vehicular
circulation route. Designated path works as a spinal circulation whilst
sub-axis circulation branching out from the broad central axis for
secondary pedestrian and vehicular flow.
Diagram 2.7 Circulation
2.7 CIRCULATION
SPINE
Pedestrian
Vehicular
Zebra crossing

Public life study categorizes spaces into spaces for movement and
spaces for staying. The pedestrian-priority street serving function as a
destination, encourage stationary activities to occur. The covered
street responds to the local climate and providing shield for people.
Pedestrian flow and vehicular circulation occur on transit street.
Diagram 2.8 Usability of open spaces
2.8 USABILITY OF OPEN SPACE
SENSIBLE
Space for staying Space for movement

A row of trees is planted along the side of path, keeping passive
activities like construction activity away from street frontage. It also
establishes privacy to the upper floor of shop lots while attracting an
influx of activities and people to the shop on the ground floor.
Diagram 2.9 Landscape
2.9 LANDSCAPE
VISUAL
PERMEABILITY

SERIAL
VISION
3.1 JALAN TUN TAN CHENG LOCK
3.2 JALAN HANG KASTURI
3.3 JALAN PETALING
3.0

Figure 3.1 View to Jalan Tun Sambanthan Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock
3.1 Jalan Tun Tan
Cheng Lock
3.0 SERIAL VISION
Jalan Tun Sambanthan and
Jalan Hang Kasturi converge
into a main road which
causes heavy traffic during
peak hour. Zebra crossing
connects opposite walkway
to Kasturi Walk. Absence of
five foot walkway along
street facade disengages
public users with the
building. Railing further
obstructs the pedestrian flow
from the opposite walkway.
1 2 3
654
7 8 9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Figure 3.1 View to Hang Kasturi
3.0 SERIAL VISION
MAPPING THE TOWNSCAPE
Jalan Hang Kasturi
3.2 Jalan Hang Kasturi
The prominent entrance gate
and difference in pavement
pattern of the pedestrian
walkway and the tar road
distinguish the Kasturi Walk
from the vehicular path.
Activity is prolonged along
the path. Vendors draw
attention encourage
movement into within.
Initial unintentional activity
is developed into a symbolic
path in Pasar Seni.
1 2
3 4
5 6
1
2
3
4
5
6
16

Figure 3.1 View to Jalan Petaling Jalan Petaling
3.3 Jalan Petaling
Spillage of the business
activities out from the
shoplots in the form of
vendor stalls is a testament
to the liveliness of the
business district narrow
down the pedestrian
walkway. The small distance
between vendors units
resulting high intimacy and
intensity of social activities
5 6
3 4
1 2
1
2
3 4
5
6
3.0 SERIAL VISION
17

4.0 COLLAGE CITY
18
CITY AFOOT - RECLAIMING PEDESTRIAN WALKABILITY
The paths which are used to be congested with vehicles are now being reclaim
back by the pedestrians. Distance in an urban pattern functions to regulate
intimacy and intensity of social activities. A city designed to the distance of
walking? Or a city designed to the speed of motorised vehicle?

IMAGES OF
THE CITIES
5.1 PATH
5.2 EDGE
5.3 NODE
5.4 DISTRICT
5.5 LANDMARK
5.0

5.1 PATH
PATH AS STIMULANT
5.0 THE FIVE IMAGES OF THE CITES
Diagram 5.1 Path
Designated path works in a
comprehensive and
continuous network of spinal
circulation, connecting the
pass-by spaces along the
path. Commercialised area
has a relatively wider
walkway that is able to
stimulate commercial
opportunities at the path
since it is used to
accommodate higher
pedestrian traffic during
peak period.
1
2
3 4
PedestrianVehicular
1
2
3
4

5.2 EDGES
ENGAGING WITH CITY EDGES
edges
Diagram 5.2 Edges
The main spinal traffic path,
acting as a barrier, separates
the area into two major parts,
Pasar Seni Market Central and
Petaling Street. Façades of
buildings as an edge, further
disengages both regions from
the street with some of facades
being physically inaccessible
from the spinal path. The
traffic path further branches
perpendicularly into secondary
paths that connect the
commercial edges.
Collectively, the commercial
edges activate the zone by
drawing in tourists to the site.
1
2
1
2

5.3 NODE
CITY OF PERMEABILITY
Node
Diagram 5.3 Node
The junctions in front of the
two main landmarks act as the
primary nodes due to the
activity and opportunity it has
bring. It is where there is
activity and infrastructure to
support it, such as tourist
hotspots, commercial and
retail buildings, that is
alongside the public transport.
According to Jan Gehl, (Gehl,
Kaefer & Reigstad, 2011), the
acceptable walking distances
for most people in ordinary
daily situations has been found
to be less than 400 to 500
meters. From Central Market
to Petaling Street, the walking
distance is 350 meters which
has met the requirements,
thus, most of the nodes are
designed to the distance of
walking.
1
2
1
2

5.4 DISTRICT
DISTRICT BY FUNCTION
banking & finance commercial
Diagram 5.4 District by function
The district at this area is
separated by the activity and
function. The function can
be categorised into banking
and finance, commercial and
religious. The districts in the
area have identifiable and
memorable characteristics.
Ranging from history,
cultural identity and
activities held at there, these
elements make the district
become recognizable from
other part.
1
2
2
1
religious
3
3

5.5 LANDMARK
HERITAGE REALIZATION
Petaling Street Pasar Seni
Diagram 5.5 Landmarks
Pasar Seni Central Market is
an art-deco structure and a
Malaysian culture market
that sets within the area. It
transforms from a wet
market in 1800s to an
amusing stop for tourists,
shoppers and art lovers.
Petaling street (Chee Cheong
Kai) is the original
traditional Chinatown. This
night market sells a variety
of goods and some of the
restaurants here have been in
business for generations.
These landmarks add on
heritage values to the
surrounding atmosphere,
ranging from Malaysian
culture, chinese heritage to
the most elaborate Hindu
design in the country.
1
2
3 4
2
1
4
3

URBAN
DISTINCTIVE
CHARACTER
6.1 MORPHOLOGY
6.2 CLUSTERED ORGANIZATION
6.3 SOCIAL FABRIC
6.4 TYPOLOGY IN-BETWEEN
BUILDING
6.5 TRIANGULAR BUILDING
TYPOLOGY
6.6 SCALE
6.7 ACTIVE & PASSIVE FACADE
6.8 GREEN EDGE
6.0
CITY AFOOT -
RECLAIMING PEDESTRIAN WALKABILITY

6.1 MORPHOLOGY
6.0 URBAN DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER
1895
1960
THE RIVER CONFLUENCE
The confluence of Klang
river on the east and
Gombak river on the west
divided the city into three
land parcels, west bank of
Klang river for British
authorities, Chinese
settlement to the east bank of
river and Malay settlement
at north. The nucleus of the
city started at the confluence
of the river and as the streets
developed, they confined the
plots into various sizes.
INAUGURATED
The development expanded
further south to Brickfields
for commercial uses. Many
squatters built along the
waterfront as the city
became more congested.
Building expansion along
and in between the river
increases. To accommodate
human density and
uncontrolled developments
of buildings, skyscrapers,
new areas opened up for
residential outside of city.
Diagram 6.1.1 Figure ground of Kuala Lumpur in 1895

6.1 MORPHOLOGY
2000
2019
UNFOLD
The construction of the rail
tracks are mostly constructed
align and along the river.
The road network is more
developed to disperse traffic
from city and growing
population from rural areas
to city to move to affordable
house at new area. The
high-rise buildings found
near the waterfront is
evident resulted from limited
land and high priced land.
GRANDIOSE
Developed transportation
network of road and rail
infrastructure divided the
city into adjacent areas and
nodes. Intrusion of new
mega development into
traditional heritage area
creates awkward
juxtaposition of new
development in relation to
earlier development remain.
The scattering of new urban
development in city caused
local identity deteriorates.

6.2 CLUSTERED ORGANIZATION
AXIAL
Diagram 6.2 Clustered along main path
Clustered organization of site
consists of solids that are of
dissimilar size, form and
function but organized along
an axis. The axis is the main
path of movement through the
site. The portions of clustered
organization unify by the
axial and strengthen the
importance of place within
the organization. Flexibility
of clustered organization
allows growth and changes
without affecting its character
and sense of place. Clustered
along main path-main path is
primary circulation branching
out into secondary paths.
1
2
1
2

6.3 SOCIAL FABRIC
SOCIETAL ENTICEMENT
Diagram 6.3 Social Fabric
The sociocultural context of
Petaling Street and Pasar Seni
Central Market began in the
19’s century. The escalation in
the number of Chinese
immigrants that settled within
the area introduced the site
with their social activities
such as trading, entertainment,
Malaysian art and culture, etc.
The streets are slowly
dominated by the pedestrians
and vendors due to the
development of
commercialised activities. The
culturally rich and
social-oriented activities lure
the city users to come and
stay.
1
2
3
Kasturi Walk Petaling Street
1
2
3

Petaling Street and Kasturi
Walk were transformed from
space of movement to space
of staying. The extension of
activity into five foot
walkway and beyond the
actual limit encourages
engagement of pedestrian,
slowing their movement and
hence turning the street into a
space of staying.
6.4 TYPOLOGY IN-BETWEEN BUILDING
FROM MOVEMENT TO
ENGAGEMENT
Diagram 6.4 Typology In-Between Building
1
2
3 4
Kasturi Walk Petaling Street
1
2
3
4

6.5 TRIANGULAR BUILDING TYPOLOGY
PERCEPTIBILITY
Diagram 6.5 Triangular Building
Typology
The main vehicular axis and
secondary branchings are not
intersecting at a right angle,
therefore buildings with
triangular typology are formed
within the trapezium urban
plot. A smooth turning corner is
established in complementary
with the sharp edge of the
trapezium plot in order to
provide the pedestrian a
continual visual quality from
the vehicle path. Due to its
limited built area, the buildings
are used to run mini market,
food stalls, vendors, etc,
creating a breathing space for
the pedestrians to buy foods
and beverages.
1
2
4
3
1
2
4
3

6.6 SCALE
INTIMATE SCALE
≤ 2 storeys >2 storeys
Diagram 6.6 Scale
In contrast with the street
across the junction along
the same axis, the low and
consistent skyline of the
terrace shophouses set up a
pedestrian-friendly
pathway. Five foot
walkway is used to display
selling goods and some
extends it into the
pedestrian path.
1
2
2
1

6.7 ACTIVE AND PASSIVE FACADE
JUXTAPOSITION
Passive facade Active facade
Diagram 6.7 Active and passive facade
Active and passive facades
are both shown along Jalan
Tun H.S. Lee. Southern
segment of the road clearly
demonstrated an active
facade with Eclectic style
ornamentation details. The
facades are vibrantly
characterised and lively
animated through the
opening of windows and
doors. Based on our
observation on site,
passer-by would slow down
their movement and turned
their heads more often to
look into the shops compared
to the northern segment of
the road. The passive facade
with repetitive monotonous
details inactivates the
northern segment, causing
the path to be less
pedestrian-friendly.
1
2
3
123

6.8 GREEN EDGE
TRANQUILITY
Diagram 6.8 Green Edge
Greeneries are present along
Jalan Lebuh Pudu. A green
edge is established with a
rows of trees planted along
the vehicular path. The
presence of landscape softens
the boundary to the vehicular
path and provides solar
shading to the public, hence
forming a breathing space
within the dense city.
1
2
3 4
1
2
3
4

Pasar Seni is a city in progress, evolving in a clustered
organisation along the main vehicular axis, Jalan Tun Tan
Cheng Lock that established axially from the River of
Life. Cultural activities slowly engulfed the street,
forging a public space (Kasturi Walk and Petaling Street)
for pedestrian to stay and social activities to take place.
Connectivity between the public domains is designed to
the distance of walking. In complementary of scale and
facade of the building, commercial activity is stimulated.
All in all, social life in Pasar Seni unfolds on the street
due to the inviting setting and segregation of undesirable
traffic from the local public life.
6.9 CONCLUSION

TALES OF
WISHES
7.0
7.1 COMPARISON BETWEEN 3
CITIES
7.2 CITY OF WISHES

Steigereiland
Amsterdam
ChinaTown
Singapore
Pasar Seni-Petaling Street
Kuala Lumpur
Steigereiland is a city built to
overcome the overpopulation
issue in city centre. It was
originally an agriculture land
with east-west trading routes
both over land and water.
Low-rise shophouses are
being replaced by skyscrapers
due to Chinatown
transformation into an urban
scape.
Network of transportation
path divided the city into
adjacent areas and nodes.
Development in the area
resulted in juxtaposition of
high-rises and traditional
heritage buildings.
Distinctive form in different
zones; block unit in
Noodbuurt, floating unit in
Waterbuurt and clustered
freestanding unit in
Zuidbuurt.
Mixed scale of building
typology as a result of the
attempt of preserving the
remaining ‘built heritage’
within the locality.
Orientation of commercial
buildings with vibrant facade
towards main streets creates
visual interaction with
pedestrian
Arrangement of building
units opens up to the focal
points and gathering spaces
which promote public
engagement.
The regional activity focuses
mainly on cultural tourism
which provides exposure to
the heritage, arts, lifestyle of
the local dwellings, etc.
Spillage of the business
activities out from the
shoplots in the form of
vendor stalls enhance
liveliness and pedestrian
interactions of the business
district
Large building volume along
main road act as edge that
disconnects the primary
vehicular path from the
residential area, visually and
physically
The encircling of MRT line
along its perimeter and the
primary vehicular path that
passes through and by
Chinatown formulate it to be a
city of high permeability.
Branches of paths with
pedestrian infrastructure
from the main road, Jalan
Tun Tan Cheng Lock
encourages movement by
displaying a walkable
environment.
The bridge is the gateway to
city centre while the
intersection of main path and
axis establishes a node that
acts as a meeting point for
Ijburg and city centre.
Commercial edge is
established to draw public
into within. The presence of
cultural landmarks in the
vicinity of opened public
domain create breathing
space, hence promotes
humans engagement.
Cultural activities and
mixture of architecture styles
such as Eclectic and
International style creates
attention for locals and
tourists to gather.
7.1 COMPARISON BETWEEN 3 CITIES
7.0 TALES OF WISHES
MORPHOLOGY
CONTEMPORARYBUILDING
TYPOLOGY
ACTIVITYPERMEABILITYNODES

7.2 CITY OF WISHES
7.0 TALES OF WISHES
I wish to live in a city with rich diversity of forms and activities that
capable to enrich the vibrancy of the city. Kuala Lumpur as a
fast-developing city, it’s a hub for a good quality lifestyle. With its
gleaming skyscrapers that has the mix of colonial architecture and the
local culture attractions, convenient accessibility to various local and
international outlets, developing in modernism while retaining the
local traditions which represents the malaysian lifestyle, all these
forms and activities has illustrious the vibrant city.
CHEOK KAH YING
The city that I like the most is a city with large green footprint. This
city will be more pedestrian friendly, people will be able to cycling or
walking on the road, not stuck in the heavy traffic all the time. All the
mass transportation system will be built underground, creating more
multipurpose open spaces on the ground for human interaction and
serve as a recreational facilities for the urban population.
London is one of the city that I like the most, green parks set within
walking distance no matter on which part of the city, established some
breathe zones for the busy urban populations to reduce their stress and
take a short break. Other than green footprint, London is also one of
the most diverse city in the world, ranging from the historical
cathedrals to the modern skyscrapers to the hundred languages spoken
in the city which make London a great city with rich in cultural aspect,
high living lifestyle and well planned public transportation.
DAREN LAI
KAM FEI

7.2 CITY OF WISHES
7.0 TALES OF WISHES
The contemporary urban patterns in Malaysia are mostly in grid or
clustered organization. Open space that acts as a breathing space are
lacking in most of the cities in our country. The city that I wish to live
in is a city whereby its urban void is surrounded by the urban solid.
The buildings would share a common ground where socializing
activities would take place.
A city that is able to hold on to its warmth and vibrancy. A place that
contains intimacy. The societal activities that transpire organically as
the result of public engagement glue the local community together,
forming a distinctive social fabric that consists of the individuality of
local dwellings.
GAVIN TIO
KANG HUI
Gleeful sense of aspiration coursing through cities today is more than
mere "urban renewal." Thoughts and assumptions about what makes a
city a city are being challenged. Tales of Wish : I admire the beauty of
cultural and traditional assets with urban friendly elements.
Beginning of social activities from distinctive gateways, entering
through and within unique realms of streets and public spaces with car
free walkways together with the presence of pedestrian friendly
infrastructures which displays the greener urban living of a city.
Moreover, changing in scales of built forms by narrowing down
structures of built environment into multiple intimate human scales
proportions, paths branching out along the spaces creating linear form
of dynamic with elements of surprise which portraying the liveliness
of a city. Other than that, preserving multiple elements of cultural and
traditional identity through approaching the ideas of urban planning
and designs pay respect and honours to the spirit of a city.
Therefore, the elements of wishes were abstracted and combined
through the studies of the urban planning of the cities of Amsterdam -
Steigereiland and Kuala Lumpur - Pasar Seni which considers the
intangible essence of a city and social aspects through the quality of
public realm and vibrancy of a city.
LOI CHI WUN

7.2 CITY OF WISHES
7.0 TALES OF WISHES
I wish to live in a city that more community cultural spaces for
workshops, sports, different hobbies would be best incorporated in the
densely developed business hub , that enrich their lifestyles. Historical
heritage shall be preserved and celebrated just like the Petaling Street
that remind us of the past culture. Also, I am impressed by the
pedestrian priority city planning of Singapore. I wish to live in city
that fulfill the needs of mobility of city users, a higher-capacity transit
could reduce the emissions from personal vehicles and speed up the
commute times, and it entails fewer personal automobiles on the road
and means more pedestris space is available. To make Kuala Lumpur
more pedestrian friendly, ample greeneries and shade trees should be
provided for cooling effects to users walking on foot in this hot and
humid country. As Malaysia has high rainfall throughout the year,
rainwater cleansing bioswales can be incorporated into the
landscaping. All these would contribute more active lifestyles to the
city dweller and more sustainable environment.
NG JING YUAN
I wish to live in a city with high permeability and well-connected like
Chinatown, Singapore, that allows me travel anywhere to explore the
hidden gems lying within the city; a city where the urban planning
involves nature (water) like Steigereiland, Amsterdam, that provides
me the flexibility to roam beyond the land and occasionally return to a
simpler way of living; and a city with rich mixture of culture much
like Pasar Seni - Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur, that enriches my soul
and provides me a sense of belonging.
Each city has its own distinctive character. Extracting the essences
from different cities will form the ideal city with high walkability,
engagement with nature, and distinguished identity, it’s a city that I am
proud and wish to live in.
NG ZIEN LOON

7.2 CITY OF WISHES
7.0 TALES OF WISHES
Urban planning affects social life in terms of shaping people behaviour
and decisions. The culture of the society forms by the relationship
between the environment and people. The planning of public space
brings social cohesion to the people and acts as a catalysts for human
interaction to occur in the setting. The social dimensions of the historic
city serve as the reference point to their cultural identity. The shared
space which promotes passive and active social behaviors, enhances
public realm in urban areas and fosters the understanding of people
and environment relationship. The city that I would wish for is the city
which values preservation of culture and sense of the place. The green
public spaces within the city provide people constant engagement with
the society. The connection between youth and old is created in
accordance with the visual, experiential and the spatial composition
which forms the overall environmental setting of the city.
SIM LI MEI
City meeting with urbanisation, restoring the values of past,
encompassess history with an energy and vitality, my ideal one, which
abide as a vital, contemporary city. By far the greatest and most
admirable form of wisdom is that needed to plan a beautify cities with
human social memories coexisting in spaces. Intangible positively
astonishing atmosphere derived arise from the engagement within
human interaction whilst prompt affiliation with yore. Urbanisation
should perpetuate the significant historical context and rich layers of
social memories by retaining or augment the historic integrity. By
appreciate where we come from and how that history shaped us in
ways, define origin and roots from trees.
Cities have a soul. A soul made by its essential characteristics, built by
its citizens. This soul translates the history of its urban spaces, it
should not be erased. As an eternal light, it must prevail. As must its
memory, which entangles with its history. A city of vibrant, unfolding
the past, with an omnipresent historical memories, transcend the
essence from bygone, into my tales of wishes.
WENDY LAU
JIA YEE

8.0 CONCLUSION
8.0 CONCLUSION
The evolution of Petaling Street and Kasturi Walk from the vehicular path into
landmarks is the most distinctive urban characteristics in the area. It is
stimulated from the local social and cultural activities that take place on the
path. The distinctive gateways announce emphasis on both entrances and draws
the attention of pedestrians whereas a spatial discontinuity between the
landmarks and vehicular path is established by the distinguished pavement
patterns. The cultural decorations hanging below the canopies that stretched
over the street creates a different realm for the social activities.
The area has a convenient accessibility through public transportation and both
the landmarks are within walking distance. However, there is a lack of traffic
control at the junction in front of Kasturi Walk which results in the conflict
between vehicular and pedestrian flow to the landmark. Hence, a clear
distinction between both paths is needed. The street planning should take
precedent from Steigereiland, whereby the pedestrian path is being separated
from the vehicle path by a row of trees, hence their experience along the path is
not disturbed.
In a nutshell, the existing urban characters vitalize the walkability of the city.

9.0 REFERENCE
9.0 REFERENCE
Broadbent G. 1990 Emerging Concepts in Urban Space Design, E. and F. N. Spon.
CoEP. (2013, October 13). Image of the city. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/PlanningTheory/image-of-the-city
Cullen, Gordon, 1961 Townscape, Architectural Press, London, 1961.
Floating Amsterdam. (n.d.). Amsterdam: Stichting Festijn.
Gehl, J., 2011, Life between Buildings: Using Public Space. New York: Van Nostrand
Reinhold
Jan Gehl and Birgitte Svarre, 2013, How to Study Public Life, Island Press, Washington
DC.
Lynch, K. (1984). Reconsidering the image of the city. In Cities of the Mind (pp. 151-161).
Springer, Boston, MA.
McGlynn S., Smith G., Alcock A. & Bentley, I., (Ed.), 2013, Responsive Environments:
Manual For Designers, Routledge, London
Mihi, N., & Mihi, N. (n.d.). How To Study Public Life. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/8920784/How_To_Study_Public_Life
Rowe, C., & Koetter, F. (1983). Collage city. MIT press.
Salamani, I., & Salamani, I. (n.d.). Jan Gehl-Life Between Buildings. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/29430383/jan_Gehl-Life_Between_Buildings
Tiesdell, S., & Carmona,M. (Ed.), 2006, Urban Design Reader, Routledge
Trancik, R. (1986). Finding lost space: theories of urban design. John Wiley & Sons.
VORM / BESIX / MN and BIG en BARCODE Architects win quality tender Sluishuis on
Steigereiland-Noord (IJburg). (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://press.besix.com/vorm--besix--mn-and-big-en-barcode-architects-win-quality-tender
-sluishuis-on-steigereiland-noord-ijburg
Water Houses/ Floating Houses in Steigereiland IJburg, Amsterdam, Netherlands by
Architectenbureau Marlies Rohmer. (2011, March 26). Retrieved from
https://www10.aeccafe.com/blogs/arch-showcase/2011/03/26/water-houses-floating-house
s-in-steigereiland-ijburg-amsterdam-netherlands-by-architectenbureau-marlies-rohmer/
Yeang, K, 1987, ‘Verandah City - A Plan for Kuala Lumpur as a Tropical Urban Garden’,
KL.

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