DEGREE SEM 5 THEORIES OF ARCHI. & URBANISM COMPARATIVE ESSAY

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture

LIFE BETWEEN BUILDINGS: USING PUBLIC SPACE

THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303)

PROJECT 02 PAST B COMPARATIVE ESSAY

Prepared by:Tan Jo Lynn (0318518)

Tutor: Mr. Nicholas Ng

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TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER 1.0 INTRODUCTION 3

CHAPTER 2.0 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS 5

CHAPTER 3.0 CONCLUSION 16

CHAPTER 4.0 REFERENCES 17


1.0 INTRODUCTION

Central district, the heart of Hong Kong city, is well known for its verticality in terms of urban planning where people classified it as a vertical city, forming its unique urban identity. Due to the impossibly dense population in a small scale of space, the urban planners had to perform solutions, like the Central-Mid-levels escalators and steel typography, to survive, which has led to the growth of this idiosyncrasies of spaces. Thus, the city today is penetrated by systems of connected paths that are elevated without any apparent relationship with the ground level.

In the book ‘Cities without Ground’, the vertical city where people live three-dimensionally has been deconstructed into various layers of vertical networks, for example pedestrian bridges, tunnels and walkways. It is documented that the segregation of pedestrian routes started in the 1960s where there’s a creation of an aerial walkway connecting a hotel to a shopping mall, which later became the inspiration for the planners and builders to design walkways stemming from public transit in to the city and vice versa, allowing the separation of pedestrian movement from vehicular traffic.

But soon, the solution has became an issue. The over-commercialising of the vertical built forms tend to surrogate the public realms on ground level causing the lack of social space, dehumanising the in-between space between two buildings due to the vast scale of building and fast speed of pedestrian movement as they move across the elevated street. Therefore, the ground levelled networks present as an important element to be viewed and studied on in this analysis based on the theories of Jan Gehl, “Life Between Buildings”. The moderate process life of ground levelled linear spaces that suits the body of homo sapiens, in contrast to the elevated radical development, appears to be the vital common space for interactions and contact points for the pedestrians.

The selected street, Queen’s Road Central, spans across Central to Sheung Wan, branches out into various alleys like Graham Street, Queen Victoria Street, Cochrane Street, Potting Street etc. Buildings spanning along the street consists of commercial towers, tourism spots and residential buildings at the least number as compare to the landmarks and skyscrapers. The studies of contact points along this street focus on factors of streetscapes like scale, design transparency, function and exterior condition that affects types of outdoor activities, types of contact points as well as the contact intensity level. THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) Page � of �3 17

Figure 1.1 Selected section of Queen’s Road Central

The street of the chosen site in Studio V project that is to be compared with Queens Road Central, Hong Kong is Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, located in Kuala Lumpur. The site experiences similarity as Central, Hong Kong as both of the cities started off as a congregation of people, particularly the Chinese originate from the main land, coming from places with the intention to work for survival during the era of war, where it soon developed into the hearth of a land. Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman was famous for its textile businesses since the early stage of development of the street. It was originally a track leading to a village for tin mining purposes, where the Chinese community decided to carry out the textile businesses along the street . The idea of understanding both sites adopting a certain degree of engagement between people and communities, lending a hand in terms of developing specific pattern of social experiences forms the comparative points worth analysing.


Figure 1.2 Site plan of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

2.0 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

The first contact point pin point at the junction of Queen’s Road Central and Jubilee Street, which acts as a central transition point due to the location of Mid-Level escalator station positioned above that serves as the major node for circulation. As the result of a congregate and disperse point of pedestrians, destination of people in this area varies distinctively, limiting opportunity for contact at other level, forming a moderate intensity contact point with majority of passive contact between the passerby. External and physical conditions offered that affects the types of activities around includes the barrier constructed along the pedestrian walkway to prevent illegal crossings create strong linear movement of pedestrians at fast pace. Necessary activities, activities influenced by physical framework such as waiting for traffic light, forms an action perpendicular to the main movement pattern, thus a stop point along the linearity, resulting in people congestion being the main attraction along the street. Two-lane sidewalk has also allow increase chances of optional activities where people stop by in front of shops or stalls with displays before reaching their initial destinations, allowing fast paced stops with minimal interaction, thus creating a point to point circulation in the linear space. In relation to statement of Jan Gehl, being in space scale of big dimension and space function with rapid rhythm, social activity, resultant interaction that depends on the presence of others, is superficial in this area due to the fast pace of life.

Figure 2.1 Junction of Queen’s Road Central and Jubilee Street

In Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the main intersection point with transportation trail slicing across the street is located at the junction of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Dang Wangi. It acts as the main transition point along the street due to the bus THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) Page � of �5 17

station positioned opposite the SOGO Plaza, serving as a node for circulation with high density of human flow, similar to contact point mentioned above. Destination of pedestrians varies but due to the ample dimension of the open area and integration of point and line, steps along the plaza and penetration of pedestrian path, informal activities like street performances with informal audiences along the steps result in moderate intensity contact level with majority chance contact between the audiences and the performers. Physical environment like the green barrier planted along the sidewalk forms strict linear movement of necessary activities like walking to work or catching up a bus. Vicinity of events in the plaza attracts passerby to stop by, thus increasing the chances of optional activities, forming a stop point at the linear space, proving the statement of Jan Gehl of people and human activity are greatest object of attention and interest. There is relatively higher chances of social activities as compare to the contact point above due to the result of increased possibility of optional activities as well as buildings and space scale being remained as humane as possible, allowing moderate speed of life, thus increasing greater possibility of interaction.

Figure 2.2 Informal usage of steps in SOGO plaza.

The second contact point is spotted at the intersection of Graham Street and Queen’s Road Central, the interchange of well developed pedestrian routes along the commercial towers and the informal stalls and vendors with one-lane street that spreads along side of Graham street. The street has its strong identity presented among the alleys along Queen’s Road Central by being one of the oldest wet market in Central District. Contrast of contact intensity level could be observed between the street and beyond the street boundary. Low intensity contact level beyond the street area due to the formality of THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) Page � of �6 17

streetscapes; big dimension and scale of built form reduce street enclosure, lack of variety of function restricting chances of optional activities and social activities, high speed traffic increasing the tempo of life along the street, resulting in majority passive contact. On the other hand, moderate and high intensity contact level along the market street as the result of traditional businesses passed down by the ancestors that forms a neighbourhood environment, following by chance contact as business promotes interaction between owner and customer. Necessary activities around the office building provide possible increase in optional social activities in Graham Street. In reference to Jan Gehl’s ‘children’s play habits’ theory, even when well developed systems of parks and routes, children of all ages spend most their time outdoor or alongside the access road where other children are, indicating the point of “people come where people are”.

Figure 2.4 Sketch of elevation of Graham Street

As compare to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, alleys branches out from the main street have function varies depending on its location and purpose of adjacent buildings. Distinct dissimilarity of these alleys and Graham Street is the lack of idiosyncrasies of THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) Page � of �7 17

Figure 2.3 View of Graham Street from the opposite pedestrians path.

place. The alleys adapt to the function of shop lots along street, where they seems to be just an extension of the textile businesses along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. The over-commercialising of alleys forms zero dialogue and relationship between each vendor and stall and between people and activities, restraining outdoor activities to necessary activities like the stall owners trying to earn for living. Low contact intensity resulted by the mere passive contact between passerby and stall owner, with least amount of chance contact only when there is specific intention of purchasing, creating fast paced stop point along the linear space. Low shophouse blocks adjacent to the alleys present solid walls that do not provide shading purposes due to the height reduce the walkability quality of alleys. Factors mentioned above thus reduce the chances of optional and social activities. As stated by Jan Gehl, if activity between building does not exist, the lower end of contact scale will disappears, thus, transitional forms being being alone and being together will fade, presenting clearer boundary between isolation and contact.

Figure 2.5 Privatisation of alley for business purposes from adjacent shop.

Third contact point is located at the junction of Queen’s Road Central and Pottinger Street, a common linkage between two main streets. It is an in-between space flanked by high its buildings on both sides, forming comfortable sheltered environment on the street even at noon. The unique quality of street being narrow and steep at the centre with steps walkway at the both side forms a distinct boundary between the types of activities. The steep and narrow walkway initiates fast pace movement of necessary activities like heading to work, which leads to minimal passive contact between passerby. Whereas the side walkway designed with steps act as stop points along the linear movement for pedestrians to rest and also a platform for people watching activity. Hence, creating THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) Page � of �8 17

opportunity for interaction during the optional and social activities like stoping in front of a stall and having conversation along the steps. Physical framework like side extension of stall further improve the conducive street space along the steps as well as activating the edge of space, promoting acquaintances network between shop owner and client. Factors stated above result in a moderate intensity contact point at the junction with majority chance contact.

Figure 2.6 Olden days of Pottinger Street, Hong Kong

Figure 2.7 Elevation view of Pottinger Street

The forth contact point is situated at the intersection point of Queen’s Road Central and Wyndham Street, where different activities, built forms, people congregate, providing THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) Page � of �9 17

rich perceptual mix that enriches the diverse experiences and expression of functions. It acts as a moderate intensity contact point, a source of inspiration and an offer of stimulating experience to the pedestrians, as a result of diverse forms and functions that promotes possibility of contact with necessary and optional activities. For example, waiting for traffic light serves as a stop point of movement, an opportunity for chance contact and to maintain already established contacts such as greeting a co-worker, resulting in social activities. In reference to Jan Gehl’s statement, social activities are indirectly supported whenever necessary and optional activities are given better conditions in public spaces. But, due to high pedestrian flow around the junction cause by he nearby station and also choice of routes, fast pace movement circulates the junction, thus interaction are kept to the minimal. Besides that, one-way route cause vehicular speed to decrease, hence increasing the level of pedestrian interchange, restricting types of contact at passive and chance contact.

Figure 2.8 Wyndham Street, Hong Kong

Whereas in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, significant physical framework offered along the street, which is the five-foot-walkway, serves as the main circulation path along the street. Similar to the third contact point mentioned above, the continuous path is sheltered beneath the upper structures of shophouses, forming a public space with conducive ambience that promotes the occurrence of human activities. The sheltered corridor serves as a cultural extension of built form and a platform with favourable condition for communication and interaction. In relation to Kenneth Frampton’s statement, it is symptomatic of the priority given to sight that we find it necessary to remind ourselves that the tactile is an important dimension in the perception of built form, where one has in mind a whole range of complementary sensory perceptions which are registered by the THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) Page � of �10 17

labile body. The dimension beneath the canopy that is enveloping the pedestrians stimulates the sense of enclosure, which promotes occurrence of intimate level of interaction. Besides that, the linear space consists of diverse expression of structure and function as similar as the forth contact point but the potential of contact at other levels increases due to the activated street space that forms point to point circulation along the sheltered corridor when pedestrians pause their action of movement in front of a display. Thus, increasing the possibility of chance contact. Built forms are relatively contextual to human scale, providing sense of intimacy that encourages pedestrians to linger and wander, creating a possible starting point for contact at other levels. For example, tourists asking for information about the street from the shop owners where deep conversation could form. As result of driving culture in Malaysia, one-way drive lane increases the speed of vehicles, hence reduces the level of pedestrian interchange as contrast with the forth contact point, allowing further development of contact level in the sheltered dimension.

Figure 2.9 Five foot walkway along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman

The fifth contact point pinpoint at the intersection of 5 main roads directly above the Central station in Queen’s Road Central, which function as a converge point that initiates the constant flow of fast pace pedestrians. The artificial segregation between building and walkways reduces the contact opportunities between pedestrians, restraining level of contact at low intensity. Contact level further decreases due to the physical element like guard rails, zebra crossings aided by traffic police and elevated link bridges that promotes smooth linear movement with mere passive contact between the pedestrians. As chances of optional activities like pause of action during the stop points at traffic light decreases, resultant activities of necessary and optional activities, for example short conversation THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) Page � of �11 17

during the time period of waiting, decreases. Least amount of occurrence of chance contact emerge at sheltered sidewalk where shades provide comfortable space for pedestrians to slow down their pace to commute, thus increasing chance of interaction.

Figure 2.10 Intersection at the Central station

In Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the intersection point of 3 main routes with elevated transportation trail slicing across the street is located at the junction of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Tun Perak. It acts as the main transition point of sequential shophouses blocks to vast scale of space and buildings, increasing the tempo of pedestrians as they cross the artificial boundary. Multi-intersection of vehicle lane creates obstructions and stop points at the traffic lights, forming a relatively complicated movement compare to the fifth contact point as stated above, thus providing chances of interaction and opportunity to maintain already established contacts such as having conversation about plans of next tourism spot. It acts as a moderate intensity contact point, as a result of diverse built forms and functions that promotes possibility of contact with necessary and optional activities. As stated by Jan Gehl’s, social activities are THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) Page � of �12 17

indirectly supported when necessary and optional activities are provided with better conditions. Due to high pedestrian and vehicular flow around the junction, fast pace movement circulates the area, thus social interaction are kept to the minimal, restricting types of contact at passive and chance contact.

Figure 2.11 Intersection of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Tun Perak.

The last contact point along Queen’s Road Central is the Statue Square, a communal park consists of landscaping and water features forms a conducive atmosphere that promotes interaction between visitors. It serves as a node of function where workers from surrounding office towers treat it as a waiting point for the MRT as well as a spot for gathering during lunch break. As the result of a converging point of pedestrians, possibility for maintaining already established contacts increases, forming a high intensity contact point with majority acquaintances network and friendships between colleagues. External and physical conditions offered that affect the types of activities around includes the barrier that lines the edges of the water feature that forms an informal seating space for optional activities to take place. Necessary activities around office towers provide possibly of increase optional and social activities in the area. The ample dimension of the open area with greeneries providing shade shelter creates suitable environment that invites pedestrians to have linger stays, forming a stop point along the linear street on both side of the square.


Figure 2.12 Statue Square in Central District.

Figure 2.13 Photo showing accidental seating place at the barrier of water feature.

Dataran Merdeka, located at the Southern end of the street, is an exposed square that allows free flow of pedestrians and tourists through without obstruction, forms a concentration point of people. In contrast with the contact point mentioned above, the square does not have proper landscaping and is fully exposed to the hot climate of Malaysia, reducing the tendency of pedestrians to stay, thus decreasing the chance of interaction. It serves as tourism spot with high density of human flow consisting of visitors and pedestrians, forming fast paced stop point at the end of the street. This result in low intensity contact with majority passive contact between the tourists and passerby. Necessary activities are superficial in this area as it is a tourism spot. Optional activities is at its least as the result of vast scale of space, reducing the sense of enclosure and intimacy. Location of Sultan Abdul Samad building which is opposite the square increase


the level of pedestrian interchange, hence further limiting the establishment of other contact level.

Figure 2.14 Tourists in Dataran Merdeka.

Figure 2.15 Sultan Abdul Samad Building opposite the exposed square.


3.0 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, human activities and behaviour serve a vital role in the construction of in-between spaces in an urban space. Detail physical environment are the main factor affecting the usage of spaces and movement pattern of people in relation to human interaction within the space. The classification of types of activities in a street scene define the idea of function of the street as well as the image of a city. In Queen’s Road Central, ground levelled linear spaces are more well facilitated as compared to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. But as the result of radical development, dimension and scale increases beyond the suitability for the pedestrians to experience. Thus, reducing details of essence of streetscape and human interaction along the linear space, increasing the speed of life due to the lack of stop points around the corner. On the other hand, the practice of conservation and preservation by the government and UNESCO enable built forms in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman to remain at human scale, allowing personal dimension and experiencing the details along the street. The comparison proves the importance of small scale spaces, complicated pattern from plan, and designing an urban space at eye level to encourage relationship between form and people. Thus, promoting movement of people for experiences and creating interactions in activated communal spaces.


4.0 REFERENCES

1. “Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space”, Jahn Gehl, (1986) 2. “The Geometry of Feeling: A Look at the Phenomenology of Architecture”, Pallasmaa,

J., (1996)3. "The Vertical City, Part I: How Hong Kong Grew Up." Zolima City Magazine. N.p., 15

Feb. 2017. Web. 30 June 2017.4. "Vertical City." Avoid Obvious Architects. N.p., 06 Mar. 2015. Web. 30 June 2017.


DEGREE SEM 5 THEORIES OF ARCHI. & URBANISM COMPARATIVE ESSAY

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