Theories of Architecture and Urbanism

1. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
1
Table of Content
1.0 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………..2
1.1 Introduction to macro site: Petaling Jaya
1.2 Introduction to micro site: PJ Seksyen 1
2.0 Introduction to Cognitive Mapping………………………………………………………4
2.1 Findings ofCognitive Map
3.0 Discussion in relation to Kevin Lynch’s the Image of the City………………………..7
3.1 Path
3.2 Edge
3.3 District
3.4 Node
3.5 Landmark
4.0 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………14
5.0 References…………………………………………………………………………………15

2. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
2
1.0 Introduction
Figure 1 Macro Map of Petaling Jaya Old Town
1.1 Introduction to macro site: Petaling Jaya
The macro site selected for this project was Petaling jaya, which is also called as the twin sister of Kuala
Lumpur. Petaling Jaya is a major Malaysian city originally developed as a satellite township for Kuala
Lumpur. Starting from a small, peaceful town in the fifties measuring only 2.12squre kilometres, it has
rapidly grown and developed into a large metropolitan city with more than 500,000 inhabitants, officially
granted the city status on 20th June 2006. Located in Petaling district of Selangor, it is positioned
strategically surrounded by the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur to the east, Sungai Buloh to the north,
Shah Alam to the westand Subang Jayato the south. Due to its close proximity to Kuala Lumpur, Petaling
Jaya becomes a popular choice amongstcity dwellers and visitors alike as it is extremely convenientto
getto the city centre. More than that, as a busy and crowded city, PJ consists ofnumerous commercial,
residential and business districts thus making it one ofthe bestcity to live in Malaysia.

3. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
3
Figure 2 Micro Map of Petaling Jaya Seksyen 1
1.2 Introduction to micro site: PJ Seksyen 1
Petaling Jaya is divided into several sections and the micro site selected for the projectis PJ Seksyen 1
which is part of the oldestsection in PJ, also called as PJ Old Town. PJ Old Town is the first settlements
ofPJ that is established since 1953,consisting oftotal 4 seksyens. Located bythe cornerofPJ Old Town,
seksyen 1’s boundary is created by the KTM railway at below, Jalan Othman on top, Jalan Pasar and
Jalan Templer on the left and right, forming a section of residential district with numbers of old shop
houses, religious buildings such as church and temples, educational buildings such as a college and
primary school and a big field for people to gather and play. With all the facilities around, it has made PJ
Seksyen 1 a good choice for families to stay in.

4. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
4
2.0 Introduction to Cognitive Mapping
Figure 3 Example of Cognitive Mappings. (Source: ACSU, 1998)
A cognitive map, also called as mental map or mental model is a conceptintroduced by Edward Tolman
in 1948. It is a type of mental representation which serves an individual to acquire, code, store, recall,
and decode information about the relative locations and attributes of phenomena in their everyday or
metaphorical spatial environment. Basically it is a type of map drawn by people to representtheir own
interpretation of a place based on whatthey remember the most. A cognitive map provides the user with
a virtual modelofthe environmentwhere significant objects are emphasized and unimportantinformation
was excluded,itcan be varying based on differentindividuals.
A cognitive map can be developed based on various sources such as visions, proprioception,olfaction,
and hearing when they walk around the place. This is where image and legibility of a place or the
surrounding environment have become a very important role in giving an identity to a place, and
eventually making it a remarkable facetof memory to the people.

5. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
5
2.1 Findings ofthe Cognitive Map
Figure 4 Cognitive Map drawn by myself of PJ Seksyen 1.
Based on the cognitive map that I have drawn, the boundary of the site are clear and obvious that it is
created by a long stretch ofKTM railway, entering to Jalan Templer followed by Jalan Othman by turning
right then continued to Jalan Pasar; creating four intersections as junctions at the corner. The path is
clearly defined as primary path due to the wider road with high density of traffic as compared to the
secondary path in the residential area which is lesser in density oftraffic and narrow. The primary path is
more accurate based on my memory as they have more difference due to the variety of shops and a
wider road with high density oftraffic gives an impression ofthe main road whereas the secondary path
in the residential area is not accurate due to the proximity ofroad conditions; unorganised car parking by
the road, narrow roads, single and double-story houses flanking the paths. The impression ofmain road
can be explained by the term Association which is the common feeling between two examples (pg. 44,
Semiology and Architecture, Charles Jencks), where the common impression for a main road is a wide
road with high density of traffic usage. The location of the road construction zones creates a deep
impression as itis located on the primary path, creating traffic congestions due to the bad road condition.
Due to the proximity ofexterior appearance and also least of interest and demand, districts, nodes and
landmarks are more memorisable.Approximate areaofbusiness districtare drawn out accurately as they
are concentrated at intersection between Jalan Othman and Jalan Pasar and the rest are mostly
residential district. Nodes such as Mac Donalds, Restaurant Jin Xuan Hong Kong, basketball courtand
the field are drawn out accurately due to their strategic location and crowd that stands out ofthe peaceful
seksyen. For instance, Mac Donalds is located at the corner of business district facing the T-junction,

6. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
6
Restaurant Jin Xuan Hong Kong having a huge crowd ofpeople having lunch due to its popularity among
residents around, basketball courtlocated atthe center ofthe bottommostrecreational garden, and lastly
the field that is located strategically in the center ofthe PJ Seksyen1,surrounded by residentialhousings.
The landmarks are drawn out as they provides a certain special services, contrastamong the buildings
around or leaves a deep impression to observer. Firstand foremost, the only signage ofPJ Seksyen 1 is
located at the junction ofJalan Pasar and Jalan Railway (road beside KTM railway) that shows where is
PJ Seksyen 1. Other than that, the Sekolah Kebangsaan 2 Petaling Jaya is a landmark as it stands out
of the residential area by its multi-story classroom blocks, located atthe center of the seksyen. Lastbut
not least, SSL (PJ) Haemodialysis Centre and Cheng Leong Keong Temple is also a landmark of the
residential district as they are initially normal residential housings but renovated to serve their own
function, forming a contrast among the normal housings around.

7. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
7
3.0 Discussion in relation to Kevin Lynch’s The Image of the City
From Kevin Lynch’s book The Image of the City (1960), there are five elements which is path, edge,
district, node and landmark (Figure 5) that can be used to form mental maps (cognitive map) that allows
users to understand their surrounding in a consistentand predictable way.
Figure 5 Examples of five elements from the Image of the City.
3.1 Path
Figure 6 Example of Paths
Lynch defines that paths are the channels along which the observer customarily, occasionally, or
potentially moves. They may be streets,walkways, transitlines, canals, railroads (pg. 47). In PJ Seksyen
1, the primary and secondary path can be defined easily due to the density of circulation happening on
them. The primary path are mainly happening on Jalan Othman and the shop lotareas beside it. This is
because that Jalan Othman is the main road that the vehicle turns into PJ Old Town area, hence even
the residents ofother PJ Seksyens have to pass through Jalan Othman to go back home. More than that,
shop lots have a variety of shops that the residents required for daily life such as Hong Leong Bank,
Pharmacy, Pasaraya, Pos Malaysia and popular food restaurants such as Mac Donalds, SecretRecipe,
Restaurant Jin Xuan Hong Kong and Heng Kee Bak Kut Teh. This has attracted people around the PJ
area to come over PJ Seksyen 1 and created the crowd. The secondary path is the narrow roads at the
residential housing area caused by unorganised car parking which made the double lane route became
single lane. The secondary path is only used by the residents hence the frequency ofcars driving around
is very less. One to mention that is, the highlighted secondary paths has an increase in frequency ofcar

8. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
8
pass by due to the road construction that is happening and people make an alternative route into the
residential area to avoid the bad road condition. Lastly, apartfrom primary and secondary path, there are
a path created for jogging atthe bottommostofPJ Seksyen 1 beside the KTM railway. Unfortunately due
to the hotweather and lacking ofshading, the path has been leftabandoned instead, the pedestrian path
beside has been used as jogging path as itwas shaded by trees. This has proven the theory ofJan Gehl
in Life betweenBuildings,“when outdoorareas are ofpoorquality,only strictly necessary activities occur”
(pg. 13, Life between Buildings, Jan Gehl).
Picture 1 Jalan Othman
Picture 2 Pedestrian path used as jogging path.
Picture 3 Unused Jogging path.

9. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
9
3.2 Edge
Figure 7 Examples of Edges
The edges are linear elements not used or considered as paths by the observer, boundaries between
two phases and linear breaks in continuity (pg. 47). Jalan Othman and Jalan Templer has become an
edge to the peoples in PJ Seksyen 1 due to the heavy amount of traffic. Initially Jalan Othman wasn’t an
edge as they can go to PJ Seksyen 2 by the flyover, butnow it has been sealed and abandoned hence
people can’tgo opposite the busy road. They are both linear elements used and considered as path by
the observer but at the same time it has also created a boundary between two places because of the
unavailability to pass through it. Besides that, Lynch mentioned that the edges seems strongestwhich
are not only visually prominent, but also continuous in form and impenetrable to cross movement(pg.
62). Applying this to PJ Seksyen1,the long and continuous KTM railway is prominentfrom far that people
driving along the highway Lebuhraya Baru Pantai would notice it but due to safety reason, people and
cars are prohibited to pass through it, forming a strong edge for PJ Seksyen 1.
Picture 4 Jalan Othman as edge, due to the fast moving cars.
Picture 5 KTM Railwaythat acts as an edge.

10. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
10
3.3 District
Figure 8 Examples of District
Districts has been said as the medium-to-large sections city areas where the observers are able to
mentally go inside of, and with some mutual characteristic that can be recognised internally; occasionally
can be used as external references ifvisible from the outside (pg.47, 66). PJ Seksyen 1 is clearly zoned
as differentdistrictbased onits usage suchas business district,residentialdistrictand recreationaldistrict.
The location of different district is well-planned and easily identified; business district is formed by rows
of three-story shop lots located near edges such as Jalan Othman and Jalan Pasar due to the high
frequency ofcar passing by, promoting the business sector in the area while preventing noise produced
affects the residential area by the inner part of the Seksyen. Residential district accommodates mostly
local families since PJ was still developing hence the districtconsists ofsingle and double-story houses
that are unique of its kind as some are there since before; some renovated.
Picture 3 Business District.
Picture 4 Residential District.

11. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
11
3.4 Node
Figure 9 Examples of Node
By Lynch, nodes are points, the strategic spots, genius loci ofa city that observer can enter and creates
a focus (pg. 47). More than that, nodes can also be classified as where people gathers by reasons such
as common interest, shading and seating. In PJ Seksyen 1, one of the most noticeable node is the T-
junction located at the top left corner, which connects all four Seksyen 1, 2, 3 and 4 by Jalan Othman
and Jalan Pasar; hence it gathers most ofthe traffic around the area. More than that, famous restaurant
such as Mac Donalds and Restaurant Jin Xuan Hong Kong is also a high density node during noon due
to its popularity, attracting people to drop by and gather to have their lunch. The public space with bus
stop located outside Mac Donalds is a node where people sits and gather while waiting for the bus to
arrive. Seatings and shadings are provided hence there are people thatsits down and have a greattime
chit-chatting. Places like basketball court, playground and field in PJ Seksyen 1 creates temporary nodes
as people gather together only for a certain interestsuch as playing basketball and football. The Sekolah
Kebangsaan 2 Petaling Jaya also creates temporary node atcertain timings, for example morning when
school starts, noon and evening when school dismisses when people send their children to school or
back home. Based on Lynch, nodes are also classified into introverted and extroverted nodes.
Picture 7 T-Junction by intersection of Jalan Othman and Jalan Pasar.
Picture 5 Public Area and Bus Stop in front of Mac Donalds that people gathers because of seating and shading provided.

12. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
12
3.5 Landmark
Figure 10 Example of Landmarks
Last but not least, according to Lynch, landmarks are another type of pointreferences that are external
where observerdo notenterwithin them; usually a rather simply defined physicalobjectsuchas building,
sign, store, or mountain (pg. 48). A landmark is also something that an observer has the strongest
impressionaboutthe place. PJ Seksyen1is mainly a residentialarea hence It has no significantlandmark
like tourism area but the landmarks here are distinguished by the buildings or authorities with certain
function or places that the people remembers the most.Based oninterviews with localresidents,the Mac
Donalds and Restaurant Jin Xuan Hong Kong are the most recognised landmarks of PJ Seksyen 1 as
when they gives a direction ofwhere this Seksyen is located,others can immediately understand where
is itby mentioning them. Besidesthat, the landmark ofthis Seksyencanalso be categorized as landmark
where demanded knows. The SSL (PJ) Haemodialysis Centre is one ofthe landmark of the city but only
among demanded people. According to Lynch, Spatial prominence can establish elements as landmarks
in either oftwo ways; by making the elements visible from many location, or by setting up a local contrast
with nearby elements (pg.80). From the theory, Cheng Leong Keong Temple is a temple renovated from
a residential housing hence it stands out along the row of residential housing, creates a strong contrast
with nearby houses forming a landmark of the Seksyen. Besides that, the large rectangular building of
Sekolah Kebangsaan 2 Petaling Jaya also becomes a landmark ofPJ Seksyen 1 as itis the only primary
school around the area. Lastbutnot least, the signage ofPJ Seksyen 1 located atthe end ofJalan Pasar
is the physical object(signage) that represents the Seksyen. Unfortunately, located far from the primary
path makes it unnoticed in mosteyes which makes itan ineffective landmark.
Picture 8 Sekolah Kebangsaan 2 Petaling Jaya.

13. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
13
Picture 9 PJ Seksyen 1 Signage.
Picture 10 SSL (PJ) Haemodialysis Centre.

14. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
14
4.0 Conclusion
In conclusion, by creating a cognitive map using the five elements that Kevin Lynch has introduced us in
his book the Image of the City, a better and clearer understanding towards the town is formed and
developed. Based on the elements like path, edges, districts, nodes and landmarks of the site, the
connectionbetweeneachofthem are interrelated and without one ofthem it may notform the PJ Seksyen
1 that it is now. First ofall, the primary paths such as Jalan Othman, Jalan Pasar and Jalan Templar has
become the foundation for other five elements as the frequency of traffic of these path and the KTM
railway has also created the edge for the seksyen. As a well-planned town, the districts are planned at
the highest potential of the area such as by the intersection of busy streets of Jalan Othman and Jalan
Pasar are the most suitable area to have a business districtand residential district at the inner area as
nearby KTM railway has the least frequency of car passing by due to the prohibition to cross-over the
railway thus a quiet and peaceful area is created. As time passes where people settled down, slowly
nodes has been formed based on the lifestyle ofpeoples living in the seksyen for example every morning
people gather at Restaurant Jin Xuan Hong Kong to have the breakfast and some stayed for a chit-chat
session, the traffic pattern created according to the school start and dismiss time, places where children
in the seksyen gather and play. This is what gave the seksyen a lively-ness. Lastly, landmarks of the
seksyen has been formed sub-consciously in the mind of residents in or outside the seksyen as they
mightor notnotice.All these elements are interconnected and with them a properand lively city is formed
and easier to be understood when they’re being plotted outin a cognitive map.

15. Theories of Architecture and UrbanismARC61303 CheahTeck Wei 0315215
15
6.0 References
1. Lynch, K. (1960). The image of the city. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
2. Jencks, C., & Baird, G. (1969). Meaning in architecture. London: Barrie & Rockliff
the Cresset P.
3. Gehl, J. (1987). Life between buildings: Using public space. New York: Van Nostrand
Reinhold.
4. Petaling Jaya. (n.d.). Retrieved June 06, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petaling_Jaya
5. Petaling Jaya - Everything you need to know about Petaling Jaya. (n.d.). Retrieved
June 06, 2016, from http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/klareas/pj.htm
6. Cognitive Mapping. (n.d.). Retrieved June 06, 2016, from
http://richarddagan.com/cogmap.php
7. Mapping: Cognitive maps. (n.d.). Retrieved June 06, 2016, from
http://psc.dss.ucdavis.edu/sommerb/sommerdemo/mapping/cogmap.htm