PROJECT PART B: AN ILLUSTRATED ESSAY WITH A COGNITIVE MAPPING (40 marks) Part b of the project requires students to create cognitive mapping of selected significant urban spaces in the city of KL to understand one’s perception and spatial behaviour in cities today. Using the cognitive map students are required to present a critical understanding of emerging contemporary urbanism in KL city spaces (in relations to Kevin Lynch notions of imageability and how it influences people’s perception of the city. Mapping should contain: human facets (memory, identity etc.), spatial and temporal dynamics (traffic, people’s paths, barriers, etc.), architecture (stairs, benches, trees, etc.), microstructures (texture, material).

1. 1Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC2224) (ARC61303)
PROJECT PART B
NAME: TAN ZI CIN
ID: 0314079
LECTURER: MR. LAM SHEN FEI

2. 2Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
PROJECT PART B: ESSAY & COGNITIVE MAP ASSESSMENT RUBRIC (40 marks)
No.
CRITERIA 1 2 3 4 5
Unsatisfactory/Fail Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent
1
Essay:
(Critical analysis
of architecture
and urban
forms within its
social, cultural
and intellectual
context)
(20 marks)
No relationship
between theory and
analysis
Little
relationships
between theory
and analysis
Evidence of
some
relationships
between theory
and analysis
Identified theory
which are
interrelated with
analysis
Identified theory
which are clearly
linked to analysis
2
Cognitive Map
(10 marks)
Arrangement of
images and
illustrations is
confusing.
Arrangement of
images and
illustrations is
unclear.
Images and
illustrations are
roughly
arranged in a
workable order.
Images and
illustrations are
orderly arranged
with proper
annotations
Images and
illustrations are
carefully arranged
to add interest
and clarity with
correct
annotations.
Mapping is unclear
because there are so
many errors.
Mapping is often
unclear because
of the number of
errors.
Mapping is
generally clear
despite some
errors.
Mapping is
clearly illustrated
with slight errors
Mapping is clearly
with no errors.
3
References &
Research Skills
(10 marks)
No evidence of
sources. Lack in-
depth investigation.
Identified at least
2 sources.
Evidence of
investigation
however lack of
illustration and
visual images.
Uses at least 3
sources.
Evidence of
investigation
through
illustrations and
visual images
Uses at least 4
sources. Clear
evidence of
investigation
through clearly
identified
illustrations and
visual images.
Uses at least 5
sources. Indicated
rigorous
investigation with
abundance
illustration and
visual images;
cited and
annotated.

3. 3Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Introduction of site – Petaling Jaya Old town Section 4…………..4 – 5
1.2 Introduction of Cognitive Mapping…………………………………...6
2.0 Cognitive Mapping………………………………………………………….…7
2.1Illustrative Essay based on Cognitive Mapping……………………..8 – 11
3.0 Discussion on Kevin Lynch‟s Theory
3.1Building the Image…………………………………………………….12
3.2 Image Quality………………………………………………………….12
4.0 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………..13
5.0 References……………………………………………………...……………..14
6.0 Appendix (Original Map) ………..……………………………………………15

4. 4Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction of Site – Petaling Jaya Oldtown Section 4
Petaling Jaya is located in the state of Selangor, surrounded by Kuala Lumpur,
Damansara and Subang Jaya. Petaling Jaya district is started in Petaling Jaya Old
Town, which is known as the first satellite township built by the British to deal with
overpopulation in Kuala Lumpur and to avoid the residents‟ aid in communists during
Communist Insurgency in the 1950s. The development of Petaling Jaya witnessed
dramatic growth in terms of population and significance. Petaling Jaya is connected by
the first two main roads, which are Jalan Templer known as Jalan 1 and Jalan Othman
known as Jalan 2. In 1952, Petaling Jaya commenced as „Old Town‟, which covered
Section 1, Section 2, Section 3 and Section 4. In presents, Petaling Jaya has developed
with 52 sections in total where 48 sections are known as „New Town‟ or „The State‟.
Figure 1.1.0 showed the first main two main roads built in Petaling Jaya in the 1950s where the left is
Jalan Othman known as Jalan 2 with its landmark – Pasar Besar Jalan Othman and the right is Jalan
Templer known as Jalan 1 with its landmark – Hospital Assunta.

5. 5Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
Petaling Jaya Section 4 is one of the 52 sections in Petaling Jaya. an old and dignified
neighbourhood situated at the edge of Petaling Jaya Old Town, where was surrounded
by the junctions of Jalan Templer, Jalan Othman, Jalan Penchala and Jalan Selangor,
formed as a physical boundary between other sections as it can be defined by the
number in the name of roads. The area was previously a Malay village, based on
observations on site and research which will be elaborate further, Section 4 is dominant
by the residential area surrounded by institutional area, commercial area and industrial
area which provided the convenience to the local residents in their daily life.
Figure 1.1.1 illustrated the map of Petaling Jaya Oldtown where the location of Petaling Jaya Section 4 is
surrounded by 4 main roads which are Jalan Templer at the North, Jalan Selangor at the East, Jalan
Othman at the South and Jalan Penchala at the West.
New Pantai Express Highway (NPE)

6. 6Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
1.2 Introduction of Cognitive Mapping
The concept of „cognitive map‟ was first introduced by psychologist E.C.
Tolman (1948) through his psychology paper – “Cognitive maps in rats and men”, where
was concluded as a mental representations to describe the behavior of emotional
relationships, causal connections, and social networks between physical locations that
have been experienced in an environment.
According to J. O‟Keefe and L. Nadel (1978) “The Hippocampus as a Cognitive
Image”, a cognitive map is defined as a human wayfinding with recognition on the
spatial context in which objects and specific events occurred depending on current
needs and motivations.
Meanwhile, from the perspective of experimental production in urban planning,
according to Kevin Lynch (1960) “The Image of the city”, it has concentrated especially
on the „legibility‟ or „imageability‟ of the cityscape where the parts of city are at ease to
be recognizable and systematized into a coherent pattern. Based on the investigation
by Lynch, the legibility of city images were divided into 5 elements: path, edge, node,
landmark, and district.

7. 7Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
2.0 COGNITIVE MAPPING
2.1 Illustrative Essay based on Cognitive Mapping
According to Lynch (1960) “The Image of City”, environmental image are the
result of a two-way process between the observer and observed, in which the external
physical shape upon which a designer can operate plays a major role. Based on the
observation, “Petaling Jaya Old Town Section 4” first comes to mind, the name
symbolized that the area is one of the sections in a district and that particular district is a
historical township which may be witnessed the development of Petaling Jaya and
Kuala Lumpur throughout the years, giving an image where the area may have its own
unique heritage culture.
During the research on Petaling Jaya Old Town Section 4, a cognitive map is
drawn based on the first impression and sensory observations by the author. From
Subang Jaya area to Petaling Jaya Old Town Section 4, New Pantai Express Highway
(NPE) is the shortest travel distance which only taken around 15 minutes in about 8km
without traffic congestion. The direction is easy to be memorized as it is just heading
straight from NPE Highway Toll until the entrance to Petaling Jaya Old town on the left
slight junction road named Jalan Templer underneath the flyover bridge. Next, left
turned at the first cross junction then heading straight. Along the road, University
Teknologi MARA is seen on the right in Section 3. Then, pass through the second
junction to reach Jalan Othman where was recognizable with its historical wet market
named Pasar Besar Jalan Othman on the right which is situated in Section 4.
Figure 2.1.1 showed one of the important landmarks in Section 4 situated at Jalan Othman – Pasar Besar
Jalan Othman.

8. 8Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
Based on the cognitive map of Petaling Jaya Old Town Section 4, the main
roads with different names surrounding the area has formed as a physical boundary
between other sections or known as the edge, namely Jalan Templer, Jalan Selangor,
Jalan Othman, and Jalan Penchala. The physical boundary was identifiable due to the
characteristics of the section and the circulation of transports with directional qualities.
Nevertheless, each road had different situation based on observation. As the entrance
into Section 4, Jalan Othman is quite a strategic foci where it has high traffic flow and a
multiracial interaction area, crowded by the residents especially in the morning until
afternoon due to the existing PJ Old Town Wet market (Pasar Besar Jalan Othman) at
the cross junction area and the shophouses along the way of Jalan Othman where the
cars parked haphazardly by the side of the narrow streets on the roadside as well as the
main road, causing traffic congestion during peak hour. In the morning, the residents will
have their breakfast and buying ingredients for meals. However, the ongoing sewerage
project had worsened the traffic flow and congestion for hours. The environment of
Jalan Othman was full with hustle and bustle which leads to the feeling of anxiety as
observer passing by.
Figure 2.1.2 showed the hustle and bustle of Jalan Templer Section 4 with high traffic flow.
Pasar Besar Jalan Othman or known as PJ Old Town Wet Market, of course, is
the primary landmark in Section 4 with its heritage marks. It has unique curved façade
with function has stood out among the other buildings, as well as its location nearby the
cross junction of Jalan Selangor and its historical existence make it a key for central
Section 4 as a whole. This significant 30-year-old wet market with about 500 traders is
visited by the neighbourhood community, served as a multiracial diversity area. This
building represented itself as a symbol for directional orientation at Jalan Othman.

9. 9Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
Meanwhile, Jalan Templer in Section 4 had a contrast with Jalan Othman. It
was an institutional area of therapy and worship, which meant to be a peaceful and
tranquillity area. The trees were planted on the island of the road and pedestrian
pathway in adding the greenery and improve shades compare to other main roads
besides of reducing the heat intensity. The greenery of that area created a sense of
poetic experiences; bring a character of tranquillity to Jalan Templer in Section 4.
Figure 2.1.3 showed a sense of tranquillity in the greenery environment in Jalan Templer Section 4.
In Section 4 of Jalan Selangor and Jalan Penchala, there were numbers of
identifiable landmarks which mostly were institution building types such as hospital,
religion buildings, and educational building while most of the areas were residential
area. Based on the observations on Section 4, the facilities were mainly at the roadside,
which giving convenience for the user in accessibility of transportations and pedestrian
pathways especially for hospital and educational area. At Jalan Templer as mentioned
previously where Assunta Hospital, Assumption Church, and educational buildings were
located, the existing plants of the main road and path-enhanced the feeling of sacred.
Assumption Church‟s unique in triangular façade in contrast with the background allow it
to visually expose in a distance, made it as one of the landmarks in that area besides of
its historical existence.
Figure 2.1.4 showed Assunta Hospital existing at the side in contrast with the unique form of Assumption
Church based on the cognitive map.

10. 10Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
Furthermore, in Jalan Penchala, the factories, and the workshops were mostly
at the roadside while on the other side were the residential area. The Firefighter Station
was a newly built building where the old site has been abandoned. At the side (back of
the playground) of Firefighter Station after a road entering, there was a row of double
storey shop lots which is the favourite spots of the nearby neighbourhood where it sells
foods and beverages in low prices. During free time around evening, senior citizens or
other residents nearby will drop by and have their meal under the tree in front of the
shop which is more comfortable with natural ventilation and green lively circumstance
while having social communication.
Figure 2.1.5 showed the newly built firefighter station and the eatery shop lots is behind the station.
Based on the location of religious buildings, most of them were located in the
residential area in Section 4, such as Christianity, Taoism, Buddhism, Muslim and
Hinduism, giving a sense of believing in the gods where faith as the center heart of
living in multiracial. Moreover, the unique appearance of different religion buildings
made them as local landmarks with strong references to attract observer‟s attention.
Besides, different races of community would make a different outcome for unity and
allowing them to have more understanding of each other‟s culture whenever the time is.
Figure 2.1.6 showed the multiracial of religious building gathered at the center heart of the residential
area.

11. 11Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
3.0 Discussion on Kevin Lynch’s Theory
3.1 Building the Image
The creation of the environmental image is a two-way process between
observers and observed. The human organism is highly adaptable and flexible, and
different group may have widely different images of the same outer reality. Hence,
different people have different meanings too, even the giving site. (Lynch, 1960)
3.2 The Image Quality
Imageability is the quality in a physical environment which gives it a high
probability of arousing a strong image in any given observer by shapes, colours, or
arrangement which helps the making of a vividly identified mental image of the
environment. Meanwhile, the imageability must at a study of various individual images
among the residents of Section 4 reveal certain other distinction between them (Lynch,
1960). For instance, the road has differed between observers in terms of their relatively
long, the extent to which they packed with details where is characterized simply as a
street bordered by housing area.

12. 12Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
4.0 Conclusion
This report is a helpful medium to allow the students to have a deeper
understanding of the Theories of Architecture and Urbanism based on „The Image of
City‟ by Kevin Lynch (1960). From the method of Lynch from design basis and to further
analysis in identifying the elements in related to Kevin Lynch‟s theory which is building
the image and image quality is been conduct from the cognitive maps.
In a nutshell, in my own interpretation, people with different background have
different perceptions regarding that area. Even the image produced in perceptual inputs
on that area are different, the personal experience, memories, and impressions are
irreplaceable. Thus, the cognitive map I have produced is according to self-
interpretations on the first impressions on site with stories and memories covered in the
map, making the Petaling Jaya Old Town Section 4 alive in deeper understanding of the
image of that particular city.

13. 13Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
5.0 References
Battersby, S. E. (2006). Distortion of Area in the Global-scale Cognitive Map: A
Geographic Perspective (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of
California, California, CA.
Chng, B. (2016, March 12). One-way streets to help ease traffic in PJ Old Town.The
Star [Kuala Lumpur]. Retrieved from
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/03/12/oneway-streets-to-
help-ease-traffic-five-major-changes-beginning-march-16-to-improve-situation-
in-pj/
Ch'ng, B., & Tan, V. (2016, June 1). Left out of Petaling Jaya‟s rapid growth. The Star
Online [Kuala Lumpur]. Retrieved from
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/06/01/left-out-of-petaling-
jayas-rapid-growth-dilapidated-buildings-lack-of-parking-and-traffic-congestion/
Kitchin, R., & Freundschuh, S. (2000). Cognitive mapping: Past, present, and future.
London: Routledge.
Mak, K. W. (2010, March 12). PJ’s illegal development (Updated 1:05pm) | The Nut
Graph. Retrieved June 5, 2016, from http://www.thenutgraph.com/pjs-illegal-
development/
Mother Earth Travel. (2013). History of Petaling Jaya. Retrieved June 5, 2016, from
http://motherearthtravel.com/malaysia/petaling_jaya/history.htm
O'Keefe, J., & Nadel, L. (1978). The hippocampus as a cognitive map. Oxford:
Clarendon Press.
Shaw, G. L., McGaugh, J. L., & Rose, S. P. (1990). The Psychological Review:
Cognitive maps in rats and men. In Neurobiology of learning and memory:
Reprint volume (2nd ed., p. 67). Singapore: World Scientific.
Stainfeld, E. (1998, October 23). Cognitive Map Examples. Retrieved June 5, 2016,
from https://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~arced/arch&society/cogmap/cogex.htm

14. 14Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC 61303 / ARC 2224]
6.0 Appendix
Figure 6.0.1 showed the Tangible Map of Chosen Site – Petaling Jaya Old Town Section 4.
Source:
https://www.google.com.my/maps/place/Assunta+Hospital/@3.0924197,101.6439056,16.5z/data=!4m5!3
m4!1s0x31cc498e8f955555:0x76e61e62e50d6163!8m2!3d3.0933408!4d101.645578?hl=en