Urban final nick

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM [ARC61303]
Project 2 : Comparative analysis essay
Saneha Nurson Road, Hat Yai, Thailand
Jalan Stesen 1, Klang, Malaysia
Name : Nicholas Wong Yew Khung
Student ID : 0328559
Tutor : Mr. Prince Favis Isip
Wordcount : 3268 words

TABLE OF CONTENT :
1.0 FOREWORD
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 Introduction of streets
2.2 Morphological Development
3.0 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
3.1 Contact Points of Saneha Nurson Road, Hat Yai, Thailand
3.2 Contact Points of Jalan Stesen 1, Klang, Malaysia
3.3 Contact Point Comparative Analysis
Contact Point 1 - Store Front
Contact Point 2 - Five Foot Walkway
Contact Point 3 - Back Alley
4.0 CONCLUSION
5.0 REFERENCES

1.0 FOREWORD
In the book “Life between building” by Jan Gehl, the author discussed about the
elements that make public spaces meaningful and attractive is due to the combination of
the activities that going on within the cities and public spaces. (Gehl, 2011, p.14)
This paper looks into the life between buildings in Saneha Nusorn Street, Hat Yai,
Thailand and Jalan Stesen 1, Klang, Malaysia. This paper analyse both streets, using Jan
Gehl’s theory as reference. First, it observes the activities and interaction between public
space and pedestrian. Then, it justiﬁes and classiﬁes the details of outdoor spaces from
both aspect and further analyse its attention what experience they want the users to
experience, based on the needs and behaviour of human being.
Until here, the outdoor spaced have been analysed so from here we know that factors
like treatment alleys, edges and paths, the quality of outdoor seatings and last but not
least treatment of the walkways. Hence, this comparison studies the connection between the
effect of these physical spaces and the comfort and endeavor behaviour of pedestrians, and
how its is applied at the street of Hat Yai and Klang.
Diagram : Life between Buildings
breakdown different type of outdoor
activities The three categories and
condition will determine whether the
space is gonna be favourable by users
or not.

The name "Hat Yai" is a short version of "mahat yai", meaning big mahat tree, a relative
of jackfruits in genus Artocarpus. Hat Yai originally named Khot Samet Chun, it was a
small village until the southern railway was built, making it one of the major rail hubs of
the line by bringing more population into the village.
The junction that connected the town of Songkhla with the main route was in the “U
Tapao” area, but because of flood it moved to Khot Samet Chun (Hat Yai) in 1922. The
railway contractor for the railway line invested the small village and make it quickly grew
into a small town, .
In 1928, Hat yai had slowly grew and developed into a big community . By the time of
1935, they had their first mayor, his name is Udom Bunlong. On March 16, 1949, Hat
Yai was granted the town status, and in 1995, the town was upgraded again to a city.
Hat Yai is actually not the capital of the province; that title goes to Songkhla. However,
Hat Yai is the investment and business magnet of the province which explains the size
of the two cities. Thanks to tourists from neighboring countries, this city is filled with
tourism-related businesses. Hotels, markets, massage parlors and floating market are
built on this land, making it a sweet spot for a transit.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 Saneha Nusorn St, Hat Yai, Thailand.

Located at the west site of selangor, not too far away from the capital Kuala Lumpur,
Klang is sitting still since the 18th centuries. It was the capital of the state due to its rich
natural resources, It was one of the famous tin mining location back in the 16th
centuries, and became a port city that play an important role in the transportation
history, that is what helped Klang grew into the major city of Selangor. Now compare to
Shah Alam or Kuala Lumpur Klang is no longer the major city but its historical value is
precious to our fellow Malaysia
Klang River divided the town in North and South Klang, South Klang is more
commercialize due to the development of the new places like Bukit Tinggi and Taman
Botanic.Jalan Stesen 1, a small alley located right next to Jalan Besar, the secondary
road in front of the Klang KTM. Jalan stesen 1 has the similar problem same as Jalan
Besar, during peak hour its congested with traffic, the main reason of it is because this
road is one way and only one car to pass through at one time. The buildings on this
street are influenced by colonial, Dutch and traditional chinese shop house architecture
style. Maximum ranging 2-4 stories, it offers traditional businesses, restaurants and
commercial outlets. There are also schools, Government buildings, religious building,
hospital and museum in the surrounding area. High density of people come to site for
food, work and shopping, mostly adults and elders.Along Jalan Stesen 1 there is the first
Bakuteh in Malaysia (Tek Teh) and some old photo frame and watch repair shop was
there since the 40’s. Recently Kang is facing its own dawn, the city is slowing fading and
getting older but it slowly turns into a historical town for more tourist to come and visit.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 Jalan Stesen 1, Klang, Malaysia

2.2 MORPHOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
HAT YAI, THAILAND
Before 1922
Hat Yai originally named Khot
Samet Chun, it was a small village
until the southern railway was built,
making it one of the major rail hubs
of the line
1935 - 1949
By the time of 1935, they had their
first mayor, his name is Udom
Bunlong. On March 16, 1949, Hat
Yai was granted the town status
1968 - present day
August, 1968, a larger, new
municipal administration building
was opened. 1995, the town was
upgraded again to a city.

2.2 MORPHOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
KLANG, MALAYSIA
Early 19th century
Klang river split the town into North and South
Klang, it was then the main mean of
transportation and the sources of income.
Early houses and village built linearly along
the banks of Klang River in segregated
patches.
Mid-late 19th century
Tin mining activities started to expand,more
linear houses were built to follow the form of
the river and accommodate the workers. In
1890, a bridge was constructed for people can
cross the river. The establishment of railway
took over then function of the river, to
transport people and resources around places
to spread urbanis.
20th century
The extension of jalan tengku kelana to north
by musaeddin bridge. South part of klang is
where the local gathers, while north part
became a service or transaction enclave
responding to the communities.
21th century
As the town grew by time, population and
trading activities reached its peak and
resulting increased economics and social
demands. Urban infill saturated to the factor of
conurbation of klang improvement disperse
into new cities.

3.1 Contact Points of Saneha Nurson Road, Hat Yai, Thailand
1
2
3
CONTACT POINT 1 :
LEE GARDEN WALKWAY
CONTACT POINT 2 :
GRAND PINK HOTEL
STOREFRONT
CONTACT POINT 3 :
TROK SUKONTHAHONG
ALLEY

CONTACT POINT ACTIVITIES CONTACT INTENSITY
Contact Point 1:
LEE GARDEN WALKWAY
Necessary Activity:
Tourists going in and out
of hotel and plaza for
shopping or hotel
checking.
Optional Activity :
Daytime:
Sitting at the entrance
step to wait for touring bus
or taxi to fetch them,
buying food and
merchandise from the pop
up stores outside the
plaza.
Evening:
Tourist sitting at the
entrance step enjoying
their food they bought
from the night market.
Social Activity : Interaction
between vendors/taxi
driver and customers,
interaction between
tourists and locals.
Chance contact:
Tourists inquiring
locals/touring van driver
for information
Passive contact:
observing dealing
between tourist and
taxi/touring bus driver
Friends contact:
Groups of friends and
families walk down the
street and explore local
street life together.
CONTACT POINT 1 :
LEE GARDEN WALKWAY

Contact Point 2:
GRAND PINK HOTEL
STOREFRONT
Necessary Activity:
Songthaew drivers touting
customers, street market
vendors setting up
businesses, locals going
in and out of stores to buy
daily needs and products.
Optional Activity :
Tourists riding songthaew
due to the conveniency of
transportation, tourists
exploring the social life of
locals nearby getting know
the place
Social Activity :
Bargaining among tourist
and songthaew drivers or
between buyers and
vendors.Interaction
between shop owners and
customers.
Chance contact:
Locals dealer initiating
conversation with pass by
tourist to promote own
business
Passive contact:
People standing to rest for
a moment and wait for
their friends and family
Friends contact:
Families and friends
coming together to shop
for daily needs or
exploring street life by
taking the songthaew.
CONTACT POINT 2 :
GRAND PINK HOTEL STOREFRONT

Contact Point 3:
TROK SUKONTHAHONG
ALLEY
Necessary Activity:
Locals buying daily
products from vendors
beside the road, going in
to store to purchase their
service (money
exchange,pharmacy)
Optional Activity :
Tourist trying out fresh
fruits or local food stalls,
buying food and fruit from
vendors.
Social Activity :
Bargaining among
tourist/locals and vendors,
interaction between locals
and tourists.
Chance contact :
When ordering for food, or
while engaging in the
same activity together.
Passive contact :
observing tourist/locals
deal with the vendors
Friends contact:
group of friends and family
buying fruits together.
CONTACT POINT 3 :
TROK SUKONTHAHONG ALLEY

3.2 Contact Points of Jalan Stesen 1, Klang, Malaysia
1
2
3
CONTACT POINT 1 :
FIVE FOOT WALKWAY
CONTACT POINT 2 :
SHOP FRONTAGE
CONTACT POINT 3 :
BACK ALLEY

Contact Point 1:
FIVE FOOT WALKWAY
Necessary Activity:
Tourist and locals ordering
the famous bakuteh and
tea.
Optional Activity :
Order a pot of bottomless
tea to extend the time of
them staying at the
restaurant.
Social Activity :
Locals gather here to
have gathering, talk and
sharing stories to friends
or family members.
Acquaintance:
bump into old friends or
neighbours when having
breakfast with families.
Passive contact:
Tourist and locals hearing
the conversation between
other consumers and
workers coming from
another table
Friends contact:
close friend and family
visit the restaurant to
have some nice bakuteh
CONTACT POINT 1 :
FIVE FOOT WALKWAY

Contact Point 1:
SHOP FRONTAGE
Necessary Activity:
people walk through the
five foot walkway to their
destination.
Optional Activity :
Locals stop by the front of
the shop to take a closer
look of the goods.
Social Activity :
interaction between shop
owner and consumers.
Chance contact:
Locals shop owners
initiating conversation with
pass by local to promote
their services/products.
Passive contact:
People standing by the
roadside, waiting for their
friends and family to fetch
them.
Friends contact:
Friends and family come
for the artisan to purchase
their services.
CONTACT POINT 2 :
SHOP FRONTAGE

Contact Point 3:
BACK ALLEY
Necessary Activity:
Local restaurant workers
use the back lane to wash
dishes or prepare their
food, workers unload the
goods from lorry.
Optional Activity :
People park their car in
the back alley
Passive contact :
users of the back alley
Acquaintance:
Bump into friends or
family members
CONTACT POINT 3 :
BACK ALLEY

3.3 Contact point comparative analysis
Contact point 1: Street frontage
Jalan stesen 1 lies in between jalan Tengku Kelana (the bridge) and jalan Besar, it is
a branch of Jalan Besar that lead into a dead end at the end of the road. The road is
one way and narrow only allowed one car to pass through at one time. The street
consist of 3 elements which is the main road for vehicular circulation, side parking
right next to the main road and the shop frontage at the side.
From Life between building, the author pointed out that the reason that cause boring
road system is due to the separation of different traffic modes. In Jalan Stesen 1 or
even in Klang, Users life and traffic exists side by side to each other in the same
space,which function concurrently as space for outdoor stays and a connecting link.
(Jan Gehl, pg109) As the shop houses are surrounded by vehicular paths and
pedestrian walkway. This shows that the diverse connectivity at the site for users in
both streets can reach their destination easily, and there will be more option and
choices for them to select.
On the other hand, the condition of the streets will affect the users experience and in
the end will affect the activities that are going on in different streets. The width of
jalan stesen 1 is only 6.3 meters, which is only for one car to pass through ,and two
sides for parking. Compare to Jalan Besar which is 18m wide, Jalan stesen 1 very
narrow and not user friendly. Since Jalan besar is the only main connecting route as
the entrance and exit for the south Klang, it is always congested with traffic which
affected jalan stesen 1 as well and worsen the issue of having a narrow road. Due to
the high pedestrian circulation in the shop frontage, along the five foot walkway which
increase the opportunities of chance contacts and meeting acquaintances.
SHOP FRONTAGE
VEHICULAR
CIRCULATIONSIDE PARKING
Street typology of Jalan Stesen 1

However compare to Jalan stesen 1, in terms of size Saneha Nurson road is wider
than jalan stesen 1, but the street topology still somewhat similar to each other due to
the cultural similarities of thailand and malaysia. The elements of the street frontage
are the same which is vehicular circulation, side parking and shop frontages which
consist of sidewalks.Due to the wide road that allow three cars to pass through at the
same time, and it is not the main road of the vehicular circulation so it is not
congested and create a more conducive friendly environment for users to explore the
street. Meanwhile there is less disturbance of noise and increase in security.
Occasionally, when there are less cars on the road, it encourage users to walk along
the street and experience the street life which reflecting better walkability, in
comparison Jalan stesen 1 has to deal with narrow road for car to go through, chaotic
parking which lead to poor walkability.
Shop houses in jalan stesen 1 are mostly functional and commercial, usually each
shop house is 2-4 storey height, most of the shops run by family or locals. The
working hours of these shops ranges from 6am to 6pm, so after 6pm other than some
street vendors are still opening, the street is basically dark and quite with little
pedestrian movement nor vehicular along the street with no activities going on.
SHOP FRONTAGE
VEHICULAR
CIRCULATIONSIDE PARKING
Street typology of Saneha Nurson Rd

“Commercial and other building functions can be located similarly along street or in
the public area itself, so that the borders between functions and groups of people are
removed. Each activity is given a chance to with another.” (Jan Gehl, pg 107). This
can be observe in both site.
Building along the Saneha Nurson road also consist of 2-4 storey shop houses.Most
of the building functions are commercial, like restaurant, groceries and hardware
stores. Some of the shop house has transform into Inn or homestay with cheap price
to attract tourist. When the sun comes down, It shows another side of Saneha Nurson
road, after 6pm when all the shop shut down the street will no longer allow car to
access and turn into a night market which make the whole street look alive, so there
is no disconnection of human interaction in this street. The tourist can buy food from
street vendors and sit at the stairs of lee garden watching street performance. The
lighting along the street and lively night market life help to create a comfort and
friendly environment for the users.There is a higher chance for optional activities to
happened in this situation.
Morning and night life of Saneha Nurson Rd

Contact point 2 : Five foot walkway
The building typology of shophouses in Jalan stesen 1 and Saneha Nurson road has
similar narrow shop frontages, but deep lots. “Room for as many shops as possible in
the shortest possible street distance” (Jan Gehl,pg 95) , as the uses of narrow
frontages at the shop houses, users are able to use shortest time to cover large
amount of shops. If consider five foot walkway as public realm, people use five five
foot walkway shade themselves under the sun to go to their desire destination as the
road already occupied by the cars.Therefore, the 2.5 meter wide five foot walkway
can help create intimate and close proximity space to create a high intensity contact
between users just like what Edward T. Hall proxemic theory of the human spatial
bubble.
Most of the shop owner will display their product along the five foot walkway which
allowed people to see what is the business they are doing, it create a sense of
permeability and increase the potential for optional activities as pedestrian will be
visually engaged to the activities that going on in the shop. This will attract the
attention of pedestrian or site users to create an opportunity to for contact.
Diagram : Human spatial bubble
Sop owner display their goods in front of their shop Tek Teh Bakuteh

Contact point 2 : Five foot walkway
It is not hard to observe that people likes to linger around at five foot walkways to wait
for either their friends and family, or waiting someone to fetch them. It is not only
because the five foot walkway provide shades but also provided edge which are the
columns and the entrance of different shop, so people will wait close to the edge of a
shop which is the column, either stand by or lean on them to wait for their friends and
family. This is what Jan Gehl called “the edge effect”, “when near the facade , one is
less exposed than if one is out in the middle of the space (Jan Gehl, pg 149). So in
this way, a person can be seen but is half covered, their personal territory has
shrinked into a semicircle in front of themselves. That’s why people like stay close to
the column when they waiting for their transportation or waiting someone.
Sidewalk Road Sidewalk
Elevated
Verandah
In Saneha Nurson road there is no five foot walkway but they have a very similar
elevated sidewalk. Instead of have a set back and column like the five foot walkway
in klang, Saneha Nurson Rd shop owner choose to use verandahs and outdoor
umbrella to provide shades and comfort to the users. And the shop owners do display
their product along the sidewalk for people to observe and understand what they are
selling, in order to increase the potential customers. This is also improving the
passive contact for those who pass by.
Diagram : Sidewalk at Saneha Nurson Rd
Sidewalk at Saneha Nurson Rd Five foot walkway at Jalan Stesen 1

Contact point 3 : Back alley
Use of back lanes and alley is also a method of connectivity that is active for both
Jalan Stesen 1 and Saneha Nurson Road. People tend to use the back alley because
most of the back lanes are shortcut which bring them to their destination in the
shortest time, and the narrow alley usually shaded but the adjacent building which
provide comfort to the users.
In Jalan Stesen 1, the function of the back lane used for necessary activities which
normally will experience medium intensity of contact in daytime and contributes to
business function. Workers load or unload cargo from the lorry, restaurant workers
wash dishes or prepare food, shop owner dispose their rubbish etc. Back lane also
act as parking space for vehicles but the road is narrow, which only allows one car to
go through at one time, which easily cause traffic jam in the alley. Site users like to
use back lan so they can reach their destination faster.
On the other hand in Saneha nurson road, the back lanes are being used effectively.
In the morning, high intensity of interaction occurs here dues to the morning market
and street vendors, the back lanes of building create shades for users can enjoy their
shopping without the burning sun. Necessary activities can be encountered like locals
setting up their temporary stall to sell fresh fruits or products to the locals and tourist.
Optional activities are tourists walking around, looking for things that surprise them,
taking photos around the area. Social interactions between shop owners, they chit
chat to each other while waiting for customers.
Shppoing
mall
Street
vendors
roadStreet
vendors
Shop
house
Back alley at Jalan Stesen 1 Back alley at Saneha Nurson Road
Diagram : Back alley at Saneha Nurson Rd

4.0 CONCLUSION
In this comparative analysis we can conclude that between jalan Stesen 1 in Kang
and Saneha Nurson Road in Hat Yai that social activities play and very crucial and
significant role in the success of a public space in urban context. The overall
condition of Jalan Stesen 1 , Klang is half active and filled with necessary activities
like going for breakfast , or artisan to fix their watches, running errands during the
dat, the street is quite in the night time dus to the lack of activities occur around the
area other than vehicular circulation which are just transiting across the street,
In contrast to Jalan Stesen 1, Saneha Nurson Road has a wide range of necessary,
optional and social activities that throughout day and night. This is because of the
function of the streets are dedicatedly design for the users to create a more lively and
comfort street ambience.
“First life, then spaces, then buildings - the other way around never works,” - Jan
Gehl. The author emphasize of the important of the people or users should come first
when it comes to urban design, therefore it is important that contact point of the
urban context can be mobilized for generating a more dynamic and playful feeling in
the life of cities.

5.0 REFERENCES
Gehl, J. (2011). Life between buildings. Washington, DC: Island Press.
Teriman, S., 2008, Promoting Sustainable Urban Development in Fast Growing City
Regions, Practices from Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, Subtropical Cities
Conference
Wei Sin, C. (2015). A Curious Side Of Klang Town That You Never Knew | Mei Mei
Chu. Retrieved from
https://meimeichu.com/asia/malaysia/a-curious-side-of-klang-town-that-you-never-kn
ew/
Hee, L., 2001, ‘Mapping the street: reading Asian cities’, Urban Design International,
pp 65-75
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2013, October 8). Hat Yai. Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/place/Hat-Yai.
Hat Yai - Everything you Need to Know About Hat Yai. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.thailand-guide.com/hat-yai/.
Bacon, E. 1969. Design of Cities. London: Thames and Hudson.

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