1) The document analyzes cognitive maps created by different people to understand their perceptions of the Jalan Imbi area in Kuala Lumpur. 2) There were both similarities and differences found between the maps. Major paths and circulation routes and large landmarks like malls were consistently identified. However, familiarity with the area led to greater detail in local maps compared to tourist maps. 3) The analysis found the area had moderately low legibility and imageability according to Lynch's theories, with only a small distinct area clearly perceivable and only certain paths frequently traveled and remembered.

1. School of Architecture, Building and Design
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture
Theories of Architecture & Urbanism [ARC 61303/ARC
2224]
PROJECT : THE IMAGE OF THE CITY
Part 2: Essay & Cognitive Mapping
NAME: Joanne Bernice Chua Yunn Tze
STUDENT ID: 0315905
LECTURER: Mr. Lam Shen Fei

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ARC 61303/2224 Theories of Architecture & Urbanism 1
Table of Contents Page
1.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................2
1.1 Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur.................................................................................2
1.2 Definition and Theory of Cognitive Mapping.....................................................3
1.3 Participator/Subjects of Study ..........................................................................3
2.0 Analysis and Interpretation ..................................................................................4
3.0 Discussion...........................................................................................................7
4.0 Conclusion ..........................................................................................................9
5.0 References........................................................................................................10

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1.0 Introduction
In this project, we were required to create a minimum of 3 cognitive maps
by interviewing and asking people in the selected city of study to draw out maps
based on their impression and interpretation of the site. Next, we were to
generate a comparative essay by analysing the similarities and dissimilarities of
their cognitive maps, and to discuss on the findings based on Kevin Lynch's
theory on Image of the City & Imageability. The site that I have chosen is the
area around Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur.
1.1 Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Imbi is considered a major road in Kuala Lumpur nestled within the
district of Imbi, being well connected with other city prime roads including Jalan
Sultan Ismail, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Pudu and Jalan Pudu. Accessibility is
considered one of the main advantages as the site resides within the heart of
the city centre, and the road is in close proximity to the many shopping malls
and hotels, therefore attracting many locals and especially tourists to roam
around. In 2003, the Imbi Monorail Station began operating its train services
and is one of the four stations that serve the Golden Triangle locality.
According to an interview done with an information desk lady at Melia Hotel
whom worked there for 25 years, there used to have a large football field with a
bungalow around that area. Originally, the land belonged to the millionaire
Cheong Yoke Choy but was purchased over for the construction of the current
Berjaya Times Square KL. Over time, the development has slowly transformed
the site from a once isolated, quiet area to an ever growing attraction
experiencing day-to-day traffic jam.

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1.2 Definition and Theory of Cognitive Mapping
A cognitive map (also mental map) is an image of the layout of one’s
physical environment. When we create cognitive maps, we often omit irrelevant
and non-important information. This also means that our cognitive maps may
differ from the actual environment that we are mapping, however it makes it
easier for us to recall information, such as directions and also assist us in
learning information. The term was first introduced by phycologist Edward C.
Tolman to explain how rats learned the locations of rewards in a maze.
Architecturally, cognitive maps are used to supplement knowledge about the
physical characteristics of places by knowing how people perceive a location.
The tangible and intangible elements such as human facets (memory, identity
etc), spatial and temporal dynamics (traffic, people’s paths, barriers etc),
architecture (stairs, benches, trees, etc) microstructure (texture, material) so on
and so forth play important roles on the perception of the site.
1.3 Participator/Subjects of Study
I’ve managed to interview receptionists and housewives to understand their
impression of the site. In addition, the people that I’ve encountered on site and
requested to draw maps were tourists from overseas, students who came to
shop or study and working adults such as information desk workers and shoe
salesgirls. I decided to compare the maps drawn by the tourist, the studying
student, the shoe salesgirl and myself to understand how diff types of people
perceive the area in terms of their familiarity of the site and also the period of
time spent there.

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2.0 Analysis and Interpretation
Map was drawn by Nisrine and Dhruv, a couple on vacations from France
Map was drawn by Hao Jie, a Form 6 student who was studying at
Starbucks in Berjaya Times Square

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Map was drawn by Joan, a salesgirl who is working in Berjaya Time Square
Map drawn by me

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Based on the cognitive maps that were drawn, they focus greater
towards the area nearer to city centre and the monorail station. One of the
similarities discovered is that the major paths and circulation around the area
were identified. This was because of the accessibility and convenience of the
site, whereby the paths were actually routes connected through different
linkages, mainly shopping malls, pedestrian bridges, the monorail station, bus
stops and taxi stands. The maps drew by Hao Jie, Joan and me highlights the
paths that we usually take when travelling to Times Square. We were able to
remember the shops that were along the paths taken which makes us more
familiar with that area. Most of us travel along the same route and did not take
other routes as they do not bring us to where we want to go, thus limiting us
from exploring further areas ahead. The major nodes whereby they come
together and then disperse were also laid out; however it was found that most of
us only gathered in shopping malls constructed nearby which are Low Yat Plaza,
Sungei Wang and Times Square. The reason may be because the most
convenient paths that we have adapted did not pass through any outdoor open
space that gathers people. Besides that, there were lack of activities and
entertainment spots which make us be attracted to any certain area. The nodes
also act as landmarks due to their large scale and being easily distinguished on
physical maps.
On the subject of dissimilarities, by comparing the maps drew by the
tourist couple and the locals, it is obvious that they cannot produce a clear
image of the site. From the map drawn by Nisrin and Dhruv, they have a slight
difference in the perception of the site. Even though they also travel on foot,
they did not draw out the bridge path that links to Times Square as they came
by using the monorail. Their unfamiliarity of the site omits the usual path that
most of the locals take. However, they tend to travel along the less travelled
paths as they find the site to be quite walkable and are driven to explore every
interesting area filled with culture and heritage that they can access to.
Therefore, tourists are less likely to be attracted to walk into shopping malls as
they do not see them as something which would excite them or allow them to
learn valuable knowledge within the site itself. With regard to locals like us,
since we often travel to the site we perceive it to be more of a commercial

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district, whereby it is a convenient place in which we can get or buy what we
need and our purposes of going to the site mostly revolves within the malls.
Besides that, we are exposed to the fact that the area in the city centre tend to
be unsafe with all the crime happening. Feeling less secured, we would not
want to stroll or explore places that are too far and would stick to our main path
of circulation whereby the crowds of people are.
3.0 Discussion
Based on Kevin Lynch’s theory on Image of the City & Imageability (also
called legibility and visibility), Lynch argues that people in urban situations orient
themselves by means of mental images. Imageability means that the cityscape
can be ‘read’ and people who move through the city engage in way-finding.
They are able to recognize and organize urban elements into a coherent pattern
to form a mental image, and is the product of immediate sensation and the
memory of past experience. Lynch proposed that these mental images consist
of 5 elements: paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks; also the

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imageability of the city can be analysed in 3 parts: identity, structure and
meaning.
Based on the interviews done on site, the most identified paths taken
are easily remembered and are often used to navigate around the urban
landscape. For example the route that was memorized from the back entrance
of Sungei Wang all the way to the main entrance of Berjaya Times Square. In
addition, most of them could only recall nodes that are nearer to the major paths
taken, which is the route from Sungei Wang to Low Yat or across the bridge to
Times Square. For example, the nodes distinguished were the Imbi Monorail
station, taxi stands and bus stops whereby people are gathered then dispersed.
However, were not any open spaces that can be considered nodes and attract
people to have activities except for the malls The strollability of the area is also
considered limited and comes to a stop at the huge intersection between Jalan
Imbi and Jalan Pudu as there were no bridges spanning across and connecting
to the other side of the wide road, therefore the road breaks the continuity and
was concluded to be an edge that defined the boundary of Jalan Imbi area. As
for the intersection between Jalan Imbi and Jalan Sultan Ismail, there was a
vast difference in the scale and shape of the buildings, shaping the districts of
the area. Further up along Jalan Imbi, it was found that most buildings were
shop houses and residences which reach to a maximum height of only 3 to 4
storeys, giving the idea that the area is still a mixed development. As compared
to the multi-storey skyscrapers that loomed over the sky along the area nearer
to the monorail station, this makes it a more defined commercial district. In the
matter of the area’s landmarks, it is obvious that those closer to the road of
Jalan Imbi is easily recognized. Take for example, the capsule machine in front
of Berjaya Times Square. The machine consists of different colours that are
more unique and eye-catching.

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4.0 Discussion
In conclusion, I feel that the imageability of the site is low as only a small
part of the city had identity. The urban area around Berjaya Times Square that
was most distinctive and was experienced most by the subjects of this study.
There were more tangible and intangible elements discovered and were easier
for the subjects to read and orientate themselves. Prior to that, the areas that
were further up along Jalan Imbi seem to be less perceived due to the lack in
strategic focus points with activities that would allow people to form their stories
or their mental maps, and paths that were less taken and do not orientate
towards the places where the subjects would want to go. This gives less
composition of physical and mental characteristics that can be represented in
the cognitive maps formed.

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5.0 References
Tolman E. C. (1948). Cognitive maps in rats and men. Psychological Review, 55, 189-
208.
Lynch, K. (1960). The image of the city. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
De Lange, M. (2009, May 8). Review: Kevin Lynch – The Image of the City. Retrieved
November 17, 2015, from http://themobilecity.nl/2009/05/08/review-kevin-lynch-the-
image-of-the-city/
Steinfeld, E. (1998, October 23). Cognitive Maps. Retrieved November 16, 2015, from
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~arced/arch&society/cogmap/cogex.htm
Williams, Y. (n.d.). Cognitive Map: Definition and Examples. Retrieved November 16,
2015, from http://study.com/academy/lesson/cognitive-map-definition-and-
examples.html