Theories of Architecture & Urbanism Project 2

1. [ARC61303]
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
Project Part 2: Comparative Analysis Essay
Loong Bo Lin
0321469
Tutor: Mr. Prince

2. CONTENT
1.0 Introduction to project/ Site Study
1.1 Introduction to the project
1.2 Introduction of Bugis Street, Singapore
1.3 Introduction of Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur
2.0 Comparative Analysis
2.1 Necessary Activities
2.2 Optional Activities
2.3 Resultant Activities
3.0 Conclusion
4.0 References

3. 1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT
This paper requires study through the book, “Life Between Buildings”, by Jan Gehl. Studies
are carried out by analysing two selected streets, which is Bugis Street from Singapore and
Jalan Hang Kasturi from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and identifying the similarities and
dissimilarities based on the patterns of social activities, the different type of contact points
as well as the degree of contact intensity between the two streets.

4. 1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.2 BUGIS STREET, SINGAPORE
Image 1.2.1 Bugis Street, Singapore map
Bugis Street lies in an extensive area which was commonly referred to in the past, by the
Chinese-educated community, as Xiao Po (little slope). The latter stretched all the way
from Tanjong Pagar, through Singapore's Chinatown, to Jalan Sultan. The whole vicinity was
thriving and crammed with merchants and traders, making it one of the most vibrant
economic zones of old Singapore.
Today, the original Bugis Street is now a cobblestoned, relatively wide avenue sandwiched
between the buildings of the Bugis Junction shopping complex. On the other hand, the lane
presently touted as "Bugis Street" is actually developed from New Bugis Street, formerly
Albert Street, and is billed as "the largest street-shopping location in Singapore". Although
the street is now not a well-known tourist destination, it is frequented by
many Singaporeans.

5. 1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.3 JALAN HUNG KASTURI
Jalan Hang Kasturi is a street in downtown Kuala Lumpur. It runs roughly north-south
through the Kuala Lumpur's Petaling Street Chinatown. The stretch between Lebuh Pudu
and Jalan Tun Sambanthan is today a pedestrian zone called Katsuri Walk.
Jalan Hang Kasturi was originally called Rodger Street, after Sir John Pickersgill Rodger, the
British Resident of Selangor from 1884 to 1888 and again from 1896 to 1901. In between, he
was transferred to be the British Resident of Pahang. The road translated to Jalan Rodger
and then to Jalan Hang Kasturi in 1982, in honour of the legendary warrior that was featured
in “Hikayat Hang Tuah” and “Malay Annals”.
Image 1.3.1 Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur map

6. 2.0 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
As extracted from the book “Life between buildings”, Jan Gehl had come out with three
types of outdoor activities, which are necessary activities, optional activities and resultant
activities, which also known as social activities.
Figure 2.0.1 Different types of outdoor activities
Outdoor activities are important as it creates the public scene that is dependent on the
physical environment. Most outdoor activities only take place when physical environment is
welcoming and pleasing. Weather and the quality of space are the main elements to a good
outdoor space.
To explain the different kind of categories, necessary activities are considered as
compulsory activities which include tasks that are required to be achieved in one’s daily life,
and it includes going to work, attending school as well as grocery shopping at the nearby
shops. It is necessary as it happens throughout the year.
On the other hand, optional activities are the activities that only take place when the time,
place and weather are acceptable. Optional activities are at its highest point when the
physical environment is in good conditions. These activities included taking a dip in the cool
sea or running under the cool breezy wind, where the situation is inviting. As stated by Jan
Gehl’s text, “when the quality of outdoor area is good, optional activity rises, the number of
social activities usually increases substantially”.
Besides, resultant activities which also known as social activities, only occurs based on the
people that appears in public spaces. Social activities included passive contact which is
seeing and hearing others.

7. 2.0 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
2.1 NECESSARY ACTIVITIES
With Bugis Street and Jalan Hang Kasturi as comparison, there’s still similarity among these
two roads. These two streets are considered as shopping nodes intheir own city. Bugis
street is Singapore's biggest shopping district with over 800 shops and a vibrant night-time
market. As for Jalan Hang Kasturi, it is one of the most popular streets in the heart of Kuala
Lumpur, featuring the historical walk, Kasturi Walk and Central Market, which focuses more
on souvenirs and handicrafts.
Image 2.1.1 Shopping area of Bugis Street
Image 2.1.2 Bugis street Image 2.1.3 Bugs Junction

8. Image 2.1.5 Central Market
Image 2.1.4 Shopping area along Jalan Hang Kasturi Image 2.1.6 Kasturi Walk
Along the Bugis Street, one can easily identify that the both entrances of Bugis Street are
the main nodes with commercial buildings, banks, public transportation hubs and church as
well as residential areas housing the local community flanking from all sides. The presence
of economic acitivity is concentarted in one straight path leading to the main nodes which
permeable edges such as intersection roads with zebra crossing. This aids in way finding for
the pedestrians – teeming with the heavy traffic condition, incresing the likehood of
travelling by foot in search of food, entertainment or retail. This increases the frequency of
necessary activity, thus increasing the chance of optional and social activities.
A significant contact point of Bugis street contributed by necessary activity is the entrance
of Bugis Street, whereby locals can be seen taking the public bus to their destinations. The
regular routine of the customers allow a range from low to high contact intensity – low
intensity for passive “see and hear” contacts amongst shoppers and public commuters,
moderate intensity between stall owners and regular customers who establish an
acquaintance network and high intensity between regular bus commuters or customers who
form close friendships.

9. Image 2.1.7 Bugis Street entrance
Jalan Hang Kasturi general is mixed economic zone teemed with historical landmark,
markets and shophouses with tenants of locals and foreigners. The arrangement of
businesses and retails are fairly organised, with its pavement widened, easng pedestrian
flow, thus increasing the opportunity for way finding. Street, local and global landmarks are
easily seen through view corridors. There are several nodes that cater to different
communities, each with their own distinctive traits and value such as the tourists nodes and
the corporate nodes with paths that interwave with each other. These chaotic patterns of
paths, nodes, landmarks and major throughfares cutting through streets with high volume
traffic forms blurred boundaries (edges), connected via circulation of pendestrians. Upon
arrival at the road, visitors are attracted to the five-foot walkway which widens halfway
along the road – designed to accommodate the influx of pendestrians along Jalan Hang
Kasturi.
A significant contact point of Jalan Hang Kasturi that is contributed by necessary activity is
the Kasturi Walk. People are seen using the walkway as a transit from the Pasar Seni LRT
station to their destinations, some are buying local snacks along Kasturi Walk or souvenirs
from Central Market. The contact intensity here is low to high – low intensity for passive
“see and hear” contacts which are formed among visitors, there are also possibility for
pedestrians in running into the same person at multiple occasions, giving rise of chance
contacts, possibly maintaining already established contacts, modereate intensity between
regulars and shop owners who form an acquaintance network and high intensity for daily
commuters who form close friendships with one another.
NECESSARY ACTIVITY
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

10. Image 2.1.8 Kasturi Walk
In comparision, the cultural of Jalan Hang Kasturi allows higher possibility of establishing
contacts as visitors and commuters use the walkway as major means of transits due to the
lack of specified paths to a destination. Besides, refering to Jan Gehl’s defination of contact
point intensity, the walkway along Bugis Street establishes a higher contact intensity
whereby acquaintance contacts can be achieved through converse as compared to passive
contacts on Jalan Hang Kasturi. This is contributed by the fact that Jalan Hang Kasturi is a
main street that used by people from within and outside the vicinity whereas the Bugis
Street is an intimate one-way road used by local residents from within the vicinity.

11. 2.0 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
2.2 OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Optional activities occurs when the exterior conditions of a certain location are inviting, and
when the weather and location are favourable. The better the condition of the place, the
higher the chance of the occurrence of optional activity, which results in the incidence of
longer-lasting necessary activities.
Bugis Street experiences tropical climate, thus receiving an unforgiving amount of sunlight
throughtout the year, with heavy downpour during the monsoon season. The most
appropriate time to walk outdoors along the streets are in the morning. Due to the harsh
weather, locals would rather residing within the confinement of the buildings.
A significant contact point of Bugis Street that is contributed by optinal activity is the well-
designed transportation hub, which is the Bugis MRT Station. The shaded transportation
hub allows people to use the public transport to their destination in a comfortable way.
Besides, passers-by and workers who hear the busking performances coverage at the
pedestrain bridge as they are attracted to the music produced by the local buskers and are
prompted to stop and watch the performances. The contact intensity here ranges from low
and moderate – low intensity for passive “see and hear” contacts formed among spectators
of the performance, moderate intensity between buskers who carry out their businesses
side by side and form an acquaintance network.
Image 2.2.1 Bugis MRT Station

12. Similar to Bugis Street, Jalan Hang Kasturi also experiences tropical climate. Due to the
temperature and rainfall, five-foot walkways are implemented by the former Dutch
colonials for the comfort of pedestrians and protection from the weather. Shoppers and
tourists use these walkways to travel to work, eat and commute. These necessary activities
that are confined within this five-foot walkways reduce the scope of walking between
buildings and increases the chance of social activity among the shop owners and visitors
ranging from low intensity such as passive intensity to high intensity such as encounters
with friends and having conversations by the street.
A significant contact point of Jalan Hang Kasturi that is contributed by optinal activity is the
Kasturi Walk. The shaded walkway along Kasturi Walk acts as a gathering point. The contact
intensity here ranges from low to high – low between vendor owner who form passive
contacts with passers-by, moderate and high intensity between family members and group
of friends who communicate with one another.
Image 2.2.1 Kasturi Walk
In comparision, the Bugis MRT Station has a higher chance of contact than Kasturi Walk as
there is an activity as attraction present such as the live busking. Thus, it can be concluded
that, the climate conditions of Bugis Street and Jalan Hang Kasturi, people perfer to perform
their necessary and optional activities in a shaded area, thus resulting in more intimate
social activities as external factors constrains.

13. 2.0 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
2.3 RESULTANT ACTIVITIES
Social activities, as known as resultant activities are activities that depend on the presence
of others in public spaces. It is the fruit of the quality and length of the other types of
activities. These activities occur spontaneously at any place and are usually prompted by the
occurrence of necessary or optional activities or both as the three activities are finely
interwoven. This involves simple greetings and conversations, communal activities of
various kinds, and simply seeing and hearing other people (Gehl, 1987). These spontaneous
activities result in meaningful outdoor spaces as they are attractive in terms of activities
complementing each other. The social activities at Bugis Street and Jalan Hang Kasturi are
greatly affected by their distinct culture and communities.
The difference in economic activitiy results in disimilar communities and cultures in both
Bugis Street and Jalan Hang Kasturi. The residential area within Bugis are occupied by the
locals. The dwellers of Bugis are considered to be tireless lot who are streamlined for the
fast-paced life in the city, owing to a significant amount of time spent on daily commuting.
When the locals are commuting or fulfilling their busy schedules, they are seen enjoying
their free time by the street with their family and friends. This replacement and transition of
culture is welcomed by the people, therefore they are driven and attacted to the street
more often, contributing to the rise of optional and social activities.
Image 2.3.1 Bugis Junction Square
A significant contact point of Bugis Street that is contributed by a social activity is the Bugis
Junction Square. The open space acts as a place of congregation for locals and tourists who
wish to chill and rest. It is also a place for various activities such as fan meeting and
promotion event. The contact intensity here ranges from low to high – low for passive “see
and hear” contacts between unfimilar locals who acknowledge ech other’s presence, and
high intensity between family members and group of friends who communicate with one
another.

14. Contradictory to Jalan Hang Kasturi, Jalan Hang Kasturi boasts its rich cultural and historical
context although half it’s occupants are foregin workers who have taken over the economy
and public streets. The incursion of the populace of the foregin community with a diverse
culture range does not share the same value and clash of philosophy with the local
community, thus resulting in a lack of interaction with one another. Optional and social
activities between two communities are hardly seen. Even though the street life had
disminished throughout the years, the Chinese community still instils a sense of belonging,
hence during cultural festivals, a large influx of the locals are seen gathering around the
street in celebration.
A significant contact point of Jalan Hang Kasturi that is contributed by a social activity is
Medan Pasar. Here, local and foreign tourists enjoy the company of each other at the open
space, taking photos and chatting with one and other during events or festival seasons. The
contant intensity ranges from low to high – low between tourists and locals who established
passive “see and hear” contacts with each and other, giving them an opportunity to interact
and advance into friendships and close friendships, a high contact intensity.
Image 2.3.2 Medan Pasar during event
In comparison, the Bugis Junction Square and Medan Pasar possess similarities in termof
contact point as they are both place of congregation for the public but are disimilar in term
of intensity as more passive and chance contacts are present at the Bugis Junction Square,
due to the higher density of population in Singapore.

15. 3.0 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it is obvious that Jan Gehl’s theory about the relationship of the physical
environment quality and the rate of occurrence of outdoor activities is indeed undeniable.
From the analysis above, it can be seen clearly that most of the activities occurs under
fovourable conditions. It offers an opportunity to understand how activities can happen
under certain circumstances. In these two cities, it is observed how closely the planning of
the cities are iterrelated, and how are the planning of cities are able to affect and shape the
daily life of all the users.

16. 4.0 REFERENCE
Bentley, I. (1987). Responsive environments: a mannual for designers.
Cullen, G., & Gosling, D. (1996). Gordon Cullen, visions of urban design. London: Acad. Ed.
Gehl, J. (2011). Life between buildings. Washington, D.C. [etc.]: Island press.
Lynch, K. (2012). The image of the city. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
NOEL FOO (2013, December 04). A colourful past and present. Retrieved November 29,
2017, from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2013/12/05/a-colourful-past-
and-present-central-market-marks-125th-anniversary-with-an-interesting-lineup-of/
Bugis Street: A Wallet-Friendly Shopping Market in Singapore You Must Visit. (2016,
February 25). Retrieved November 29, 2017, from https://www.tripzilla.com/bugis-street-
colourful-side-shopping-singapore/31149