1. Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Architecture)
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM
(ARC 2224)
Project:
Theorizing Architecture
Name : Yaseen Syed
Student ID : 0309021
Tutor : Mr Lam Shen Fei
2. INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the architectural theories behind the
establishment of one of the many works of the theorist that is being studies as well as
draw a relationship between the theorist’s life,character and motives and how these
factors have an impact on the architectural principles that are being put into practice in
the building that is being studied.
Urban theorist and writer Jane Jacobs was born on May 4, 1916, in Scranton,
Pennsylvania. Although she had no formal training as an urban planner, Jane Jacobs
revolutionized the way we look at cities. Her vision was inspired by her time living in
New York City’s Greenwich Village neighborhood, a mixture of townhouses, walk-up
apartment buildings and narrow streets that all fostered a sense of community.
“The Death and Life of Great American Cities” a book by Jane Jacobs is concerned with
the problems of city planning and the strategy that planners followed throughout most of
the twentieth century. Jacobs provides a good analysis of what contributes to the
success of neighborhoods.
One of the conditions is that the district has to have more than one purpose. The
neighborhood people have to be in place to perform their numerous functions. As
pointed out earlier, different people must be on the streets at different times at all times
of the day and night to provide the eyes that are needed as well as promote public
interaction. The parks require people doing different things at different times. Just as
streets and parks need users, stores, and other commercial establishments need users
and customers.
3. During the lunch hour of the working day, the places are mobbed. Outside of working
hours, there is no activity. To balance the time use they would have to find a way to
attract visitors to the area, since there are not enough residents to sustain a viable time
use.
Based on her theory of “the need to have more than one primary use”,a study based
on the Alamanda Shopping Complex is carried out.
The Alamanda Shopping Centre is situated at a site that is surrounded by luscious
greenery and private residences.Close to the Persiaran Timur highway,access via the
Jalan Alamanda and a few other smaller network of roads,ensures that accessibility to
the site is relatively easy.
Regardless of elements of design that may dictate the Alamanda Shopping Centre,the
building would not work if the needs of the target community were not addressed.
The vast amount of greenery that surrounds the site with a slight hint of office areas
and private residences also indicate that there are relatively little distractions such as
other major shopping attractions or entertainment centres that could take away from the
attention of the shopping centre.The unique shaped site gives a unique approach or
view towards the building.
Based on Social Interaction:
(Refer to image 1 , 1.1 ,1.2 ,1.3 respectively)
The shopping centre consists of eateries, sports facilities, meeting places,
shops,banks,a few offices,a medical centre and as well as many other utilities.Since this
draws different kinds of people to that location,diverse activities should be happening all
4. the time. The connections made by these diverse groups of people form new
innovations.
From the floor plan of the shopping complex,it can be known that the users vary in
terms of age,time,occupation,social status and hobbies.In that, the crowd that visits the
Alamanda Shopping Complex probably comprises
of,tourists,workers,officers,families,students and many more.Each group visits the mall
based on their individual purpose. It is necessary for visitors to have a different purpose
from one another,or else the spaces will be sporadical.Apart from all these factors,the
shopping centre is almost connected to the Everly Putrajaya Hotel,thus attracting hotel
guests and foreigners.
Based on the Amalgamation of Wealth Groups:
(Refer to image 2 , 2.1 ,2.2 ,2.3 respectively)
Even though the mall is built as lavishly as possible In the government state of
Putrajaya,there is obviously consideration for all classes.
It can be seen that the social classes are segregated from one another in terms of
residential areas,however, this is not the case when it comes to social interaction.
In that there are certain utilities made available for each social group,be it in terms of
food,retail and shopping, as well as entertainment.
In the shopping centre,there are a handful of fast food restaurants,as well as fine dining
restaurants,each catering for the different social classes.
5. While restaurants such as Manhattan fish market are appealing to the high
class,McDonalds,KFC,and the main food court,Rasa is enjoyed by the lower classes.
Kenny Rogers,The Chicken Rice shop and many more are enjoyed by the middle class.
In the middle of some of the corridors,there are a few small bakery stalls,such as Auntie
Anne’s.These small stalls take up quite a bit of space on the Lower Ground floor,thus
tightening the walking space.However as we progress upwards,there is more walking
space.
The highest level,known as “The Hub”,consists of a movie theatre,bowling alley,karaoke
,some fine dining restaurants as well as a drop off zone for VIP parking.
Apart from a large variety of food,the shopping mall,has a large selection of retail
stores.While most of the stores are of high class brands,there are a handful that may be
purchased by ordinary/lower class civilians.
Even between the types of medical facilities,there are two small clinics that are being
operated.
Based on Jacobs’ theory,this is an effective way to bring together the different classes.It
is an endeavor to unite the social classes.Even though some of the facilities may be
segregated by floors,it can still be an attempt to allow for interaction between people of
different backgrounds.
6. Based on Transport:
(Refer to image 1 , 1.1 ,1.2 ,1.3 respectively) to emphasize on the need for mixed uses and the
spaces in Alamanda Shopping Centre.
(Refer to image 3 respectively) for reference to the site and zoning.
Most consumer enterprises are dependent as parks on people going to and fro
throughout the day.In the same way,the shopping centre cannot lie idle as this way it
will disappear.
Most workers from the offices within the centre as well those from the neighborhood
give all the eateries and much of the other commerce support at midday.
In a modest way the Shopping complex will attract still another crowd in addition to the
local residents or local workers.They attract people who want a change from their
neighbourhood.This attraction exposes the commerce to a larger and more diverse
population and this in turn has permitted a still further growth and range of commerce.
Considering the close proximity of neighboring residential blocks,a residential
population would stimulate the development of shopping facilities,restaurants ,places of
entertainment and facilities which would prove highly desirable for use by the day-time
working population as well.
However,it can be said that when a primary use is combined effectively with
another,that puts people on the street at different times,then the effect can be
economically stimulating.
7. The closest residential block being relatively distant from the Alamanda Shopping
Centre still require people to travel by vehicles or any mode of transport as the walking
distance maybe a bit too strenuous.
There is a large car park that is alongside the shopping complex,which visitors may
utilize.
Having said that,the users that travel from afar to the Alamanda Shopping Centre,need
to be offered a variety of choices.In that food may not only be their destination,therefore
other facilities may help to keep them entertained.The shopping complex is of massive
scale and therefore the idea to have various types of retail stores,entertainment forms
and others is the best way to captivate the users mind.
What does exist here to draw visitors at leisure hours for instance during the
weekends?The esplanade waterfront itself,is one of the main assets that may draw
people at leisure.Part of the waterfront comes with great restaurants that may captivate
people and encourage them to stay on.Sometimes the waterfront is used to host small
events.This would bring into the district,tourists in the afternoon and night,tourists and
people from the city both on weekends and holidays.For people travelling from different
cities such as Kuala Lumpur,this is the best way to allure them into staying and
spending more time at the shopping centre.
The movie theatre and karaoke bars may also be utilized to allure visitors to spend
more time in the shopping complex.
Special events based on all these attractions should be concentrated in evenings and
weekends,inexpensive theatre and opera may be considered.
8. For those who live close by,and walk to the mall,they are probably just visiting the local
convenient store and may leave soon after,as they are just a walk away.This shopping
complex maybe their nearest convenient store.
The people who probably drive to the mall,are probably planning on spending a bit more
time than the previous users,such as maybe shopping and having a meal as a family,as
they have probably made more of an effort to travel further from their homes.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion,we can state that the building is somewhat upto theorist,Jane Jacobs’
requirements.Some ideas of her theory have been applied.The main reason for having
“more than one primary function” is for emphasizing on the direct effect of other
parts of the precinct. It is no lie,that Alamanda Shopping Complex is considered as part
of the heart of the precinct.And if the heart of the precinct stagnates or disintergrates,the
social neighborhood of the entire precinct begins to suffer.In that,people who are ought
to get together,by means of central activity or interests that are failing,fail to get
together.Ideas and money that ought to meet fail to get together.
Without a strong and interacting “heart”,the precinct will become a collection of interests
isolated from one another,and hence it falters at producing a socially involved
population.
9. Online References
(2002). Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) / Malaysian Institute Of
Architects http://www.pamdirectory.my
(2007). http://wooiarchitect.com
(1995).The Star Malaysia
http://www.thestar.com.my
(1999).Blogspot
http://msiaarch.blogspot.com
(2014).https://narokanjau.files.wordpress.com
(2014).http://esubijono.wordpress.com
(2012) .http://www.alamanda.com.my/mall-map/
