elements of traditional street in malaysia in attracting visitors

8/12/2019 ELEMENTS OF TRADITIONAL STREET IN MALAYSIA IN ATTRACTING VISITORS

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ELEMENTS OF TRADITIONAL STREET IN MALAYSIA IN ATTRACTING

VISITORS

N.H.Jaafar, I.M.S.Usman, M.F Irfan Mohd Nor, M M TahirUniversiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

[email protected]

ABSTRACT: Apart from playing the most important role as a place for interactive communication, the element of

street also generates outdoor activities that are vital for the visual perception of the urban dwellers. This paper willinvestigate on the elements of traditional street that attracts visitors. Three traditional streets have been identified inKuala Lumpur city centre, namely; Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Masjid India and Jalan Petaling. These streets

have been identified as the appropriate areas of study and selected due to it being the earliest urban setting with its ownunique identity that can be felt until today. These streets portray its own sense of belonging and meanings. Theobjective in this study will discuss the elements of traditional street in attracting visitor looking from users point of

view. Mix methodology was used, qualitative as a major follow by quantitative as a minor (supporting qualitative). Thefinding shows there are four major elements of traditional street in attracting visitors where activity element is one ofthe significance elements.

Keywords:sense of belonging, traditional street, unique identity, meanings, qualitative, quantitative

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In the design of urban public open spaces, there are two main categories, namely street and the square

(Moughtin, 1995; Lynch, 1960; Rob Krier, 1979; Shuhana & A. Bashri, 2001). In this study, street is

considered as public open space as opposed to it being a vehicular passageway. In Malaysian cities

specifically and in Asian street generally, street or jalanplays an important role in public open spaces.

The Street is also the main element in enhancing the image and identity of the city apart from contributing

to the morphological of a town. According to Jacob (1995), much can be learned about the culture of a

society from the way the streets are used. Traditional streets in old towns exude its own identity of place

compared to modern streets. All elements from cultural aspect to the types of activities of traditional streets

should be preserved. On the other hand, traditional streets can also be considered as a necessity for local

society because it creates a venue for social interaction in the city. There is no specific definition of

traditional street. So to define it, there are two terms that must be considered; street and traditional.

According to scholar like Moughtin (1995), street is 3 dimensional that create sense of enclosure whichhave been applied into two aspects, building scale and trees. The sense of enclosure will encourage a

movement. Whilst, the term of traditional is from the word of tradition which san be conclude as

something that received from generation to next generation. In this paper, traditional street is defines as

among of the earliest streets in the city. Its been a public attraction until today which situated in city

centre. All the public activities in the traditional street will develop according to the time from generation

to the next generations. Types of merchandise usually are well known by local people and also have their

own memory and historical significant. This is known and call traditional street. From the research,

traditional street in Malaysia is defined as the street in an urban setting built from the late 19 thcentury until

the independence in 1957. These include traditional shop-houses and buildings conceived within the period

but contain elements or activities related to the research. It still retains parts of its original physical

characters as well as activities. In the past, traditional street was the centre of commercial activities and also

as community space. On the other hand, road are priority given to vehicular. Therefore, three concept of

traditional street have been identified in this study, namely; (i) public open space (ii) the unique

architecture (iii) spatial human scale. By the same token, both street and traditional street is known as

public open space for human and focusing of activity. However, traditional street shown time and

heritage of the place base on physical, activity and spatial aspect which can be appreciate by all users.

2.0 THEORITICAL FRAMEWORKThere have no specific study on traditional street but there is a study on old town centre. According to

Shuhana and A.Bashri (2000, 2002, 2004),Malaysian old town have a strong sense of place compare to the

new town. In Asian city, when we are talking about public open space in the city centre, street play an
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important role compare to square (Shuhana et. al, 2000, 2003; Derek A., 2002). Besides, sense of place is

stronger in old town and traditional street because the activities have taken since a long time ago. But the

uncontrolled of rapid urbanization gave a bad impact to this early setting (Merrick A. et. al., 2002; P. Miao,

2001). The symbol and function of traditional street in local society and also as our heritage have been

forgotten nowadays (Shuhana & A. Bashri, 2002; Badan Warisan Malaysia, 2004; John B., 2001). In fact,

the significant of old townscape appraisal have facing a dilemma. For instance, a destroying of traditional

street from a lively society activity will be occurring. For this reason, all the environments that have been

create since a long time ago will change the life-style of society. According to the research, The Vanishing

Streets in Malaysia Urbanscape, the development of shopping complex without considers the shopkeeper

in shop-houses along traditional street will oppress (A. Bashri & Shuhana, 1997). Apart from this, the

contribution of environmental perception which need a social design is very important (Goodey, 1973;

Sommer, 1983) to enhanced their own identity and cultural and spirit of the place (Paul L. Knox, 2005).

3.0 METHODOLOGYThe survey covered three areas of traditional streets namely Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Masjid

India and Jalan Petaling. These streets are located within Kuala Lumpur original city centre. The survey

also gathered 330 (110 for each street) and 21 respondents for quantitative and qualitative method

respectively. In this study cluster random sampling are using. The 21 respondents are dividing into 7 in

each street. The same respondent will be chosen for qualitative techniques which are in- depth interview

and photo recognize. The qualitative/ statistic are the main approach in this research which contributesthree techniques, namely; observation, in-depth interview and photo recognize. All the analyze are base on

theoretical that have been done. At the same time the appropriateness of the theory that majority from

western will be known in Malaysian context from user point of view. User is defining as people who are

using the traditional street such as shopkeepers, tourist and buyers. So, the willingness of the users without

considers their background or gender is defining as respondent in qualitative and quantitative methods. The

comparison using matrices method will be using in discussing among the streets.

4.0 RESULTThere are four types of elements of traditional street in attracting visitors. The elements in the order of its

significance are activity, physical, meaning, and transportation (Table 1).

Table 1: Types of element that enhanced in traditional street in attracting visitor

Types of Element Elemental Factors

Activity Informal Stalls, hawkers, outdoor bazaar along the street; display

techniques for business inside the shops (sense of territory);

walking; window shopping

Formal Types of famous/familiar business inside the shops/building

Local society Religious places; residential; tradition trades

Physical Building Identification of building by its activities

Non-building People; landscape

Meaning Activity Formal activities; informal activities; local people activities

Physical Buildings; non buildings

Familiarity

Transportation Publictransport

Variety of public transportation

Linkages Linkages for pedestrian walkways; station near by public

transportation hub

4.1 Activity

The most famous elements in traditional streets as mentioned by most of respondents are the activities. It is

divides into three main categories, namely informal activities, formal activities and local society activities,


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as in Table 1.First of all informal activities were the most enhanced elemental factor of activity that

includes types of business along the street such as stalls, hawkers and outdoor bazaars. The type of business

inside the shops also represents the informal activities, which were reflected by their display techniques and

the creation of sense of territory. As supported by Shuhana and Bashri (2001, 2002, 2004), the strength of

the old town can be seen in the way the streets were able to act as settings that were formed by unique

outdoor activities.

In Malaysia, the traditional street is famous for its five-foot way or kaki lima, which is used as a spill

over space by the shopkeepers to display their merchandise as well as stalls along the street. In addition,

kaki limais also act as public open space; adjacent to the street. This encouraged people to pleasantly

walk along the street while allowing visual interactions to exist between the users and the displayed items

(Flannigan, 1990). According to Appleyard (1981) and Rapoport (1987), this environment will create a

sense of safety due to the interaction between indoor sand outdoors, in other words creating a sense of

transparency. Other activities such as walking, relaxing, and shopping will further enhance the lively

environment.

From the research (table 1), businesses that are conducted inside buildings in traditional street are

considered as formal activity. This type of business is well known when it comes to discussing about

traditional street. This familiarity among the user has further enhanced the character of traditional street.

From the aspect of the local society factor, these activities include those that inherited from their ancestor

to newer generations. This has become a symbol to traditional street. For example, Friday prayers areperformed by Muslims at the mosque in Jalan Masjid India every week. This is a situation that is distinctive

to the local society at Jalan Masjid India. The situation has been supported by Moughtin (2003) theory that

we can expression culture of the local people by the way the street is used as public open space.

Another example found through this research is a tradition trade at the traditional street that is called a

night market. This night market includes types of mechanism which usually we can find a local food

for instance. It is lively at night and ends at midnight. The trading products depend on the time and place.

Sometimes of the products sold in the night market are souvenier items for tourist. In Jalan Masjid India,

we can see more local merchandise sold compared to what is sold in Jalan Petaling. This is because Jalan

Petaling is widely known to the tourist for its Chinatown environment. According to Shuhana et.al.

(2007), this is in increasing attraction from many visitors both locally and overseas, the local authority tend

to focus on these places in their efforts to enhance the streets environment as well as turning these streets

into a tourism product. As a matter of fact, all types of activities inherited and associated with traditionalstreet is very important and should be maintained. The existence of traditional streets has created identity

and symbolises the lifestyle of Malaysian society. In summary, traditional activities can be seen as being

local trademarks for traditional street. All factors mentioned above creates visual linkages along the

street which is known as key-note shops (Flannigan, 1990).

According to survey, the most important element in traditional street in attracting visitor follow by

significance are; (i) sense of place, (ii) visibility and (iii) location of the traditional street (Graph 1). The

activities can be seen through the types of activitiy but the level of liveliness environment and also the

crowd presence. Then the node of activity will be creating by that environment (Heng and Chan, 2000) and

sense of safety naturally (Tibbalds, 2001).The enhance of activity also influence by the location and sense

of visibility. As mention by Jacob (1995), this character will atrrack more people to come to the street. As

the result it will create sense of place or meaning.


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and especially mature trees which have been mentioned in Jalan Masjid India. It has been prove from the

previous study, tree will create a good human relationship with nature and this will create a peaceful

environment (Appleyard, 1981, 1978; Robert S., 2004; Kaplan & Kaplan, 1982). Besides it can reduce the

heat island effect in urban area (City of Austin, 2001). The combination between sitting elements with tree

in public open space will create a lively setting activities (Whyte, 1981; Project for Public Spaces, 1982).

To all intents and purpose the location of this thing should be well in planning and design (Vines E, 1996).

4.3 Meaning

The third elements as mentioned by respondent is meaning which separated into three factors, which are; (i)

activity (ii) physical (iii) familiarity (Table 1). In this study, meaning is relating with unique character

which contributes to the feeling of traditional street environment. The factors of activity and physical which

have explained above are related with familiarity factor. The study have shown that the most famous

element in traditional street related with how far the elements is known and how deep it is expose to the

user. Base on Affendis research (2004), even though the familiarity is not an element that we can find it

through environment characters, but it helps to emplacing the notable and ranking of the place from

respondent perception. The fact of that matter is that, it will influence the user sensitive towards their

environment. All the important meaning elements that have been mention in activity and physical

elements have their own values that should be consider in every aspect of planning and development by all

sectors. This is because the values of meaning element are distinctive for traditional street or old town

character.

Meaning element can intricate by the activities that create a unique setting and have a value of cultural

aspect to the street environment. For example, stalls and hawkers along the street is one of our cultural

values. Besides, all respondent have mention and recognize that elements easier (Qualitative methods). One

of the attraction activities besides a night market that contribute to the meaning element is religion

activity which creates a unique environment with unique culture. According to depth interview technique,

the environment of celebration of Hari Raya at Jalan Masjid India and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman is

most memorable by the respondent. This lively environment in Ramadhan month creates a meaning

(intrinsic)to the entire respondent even the environment are more crowded than normal. There are varieties

of merchandise choices such as, Malay traditional clothes, traditional cakes and biscuits besides variety

food for breaking fasting. While for Indian celebration, a Deepavali, Jalan Masjid India is the famous

traditional street for preparing the celebration. This traditional street is well-known with Indian traditional

clothes (such as sari and kurtaz) and also Indian foods. All this things showed specialist types ofactivity and at the same time its deal with the majority of races in certain traditional street. It enhances their

cultural values appreciate by all types of user. These have been support by Kostof (1992) theory, where the

different between traditional street and modern/contemporary street can be seen. Besides that, street also is

a component that creates the image of the city (Lynch, 1960).

4.4 Transportation

The important of transportation element in attracting visitor cant be denied. According to the survey, these

elements are divided into two categories which are mentioned by respondent, namely; (i) public

transportation (ii) linkages (Table 1). According to Department of the Environment (1997), good

accessibility contains enough public transportation with continuity of pedestrian. According to the survey,

it was discovered that a good variety of public transportation (bus, taxi, LRT, etc) are very essential in

attracting visitor to traditional street even to any space. One of the main reasons is time and cost budget.This has support that all respondent (21) prefers a by public transport as main transportation to the street.

The reason they choose public transportation because it is cheap and there are a variety of public

transportation choices surrounding the street (depth interview technique). There are also respondents whose

choose walking as mod of transportation from one destination to other destination (Table 4). These have

been mention by Shuhana and A. Bashri (2001) that priority should be given to the pedestrian in urban

design especially in concerned of traditional street or old town area. This will minimize the using of private

vehicles. So, the balancing between the street spaces for pedestrian and vehicles are very important in street

design aspect (Project for Public Spaces, 1982). It was discovered that in encourage user walking and use


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public transportation, it is influenced by a good linkages for pedestrian and an activities along the street.

Besides, the distance of accessibility must be fitting between the locations of the street or place.

The linkages are most important part in transportation element as mentioned by respondent. Both of them

(nearest location for accessibility and linkages) are link to the nearest public station by providing a linkage

to the destination. This will encourage variety of activity along it. This statement have been supported by

perception research, The Heart of Auckland City; Focus Group Report (2000) is that the increase of

public transportation is related with the necessary activities for all group of users (No Doubt Research,

2002). This is one of the way to provide a successful public space (Subodh A. Kumar, 1997) which

including in macro and micro that have mention by Jacobs (1995), Alexander C. (1977) and Bentley et. al.

(1995). The fact of that matter, it is not surprising in this study that linkages is the higher percent as

mention by most of the respondent.

5.0 CONCLUSION

Taking everything into account, traditional street or generally old town area has a stronger unique

character. It can be seen not only from physical aspect but also from visual aspect. On other word, this

unique identity is known as kitsch. From the study, activity element was the most identified and

attracting user to traditional street. All this elements that have mentioned in this study are mutual

interaction and will create sense of sensory, colouring and unique setting. Traditional streets setting which

situated in old town should be more strictly in conservation aspect because this setting will show space andtime. So it will give an idea for a new development/city by maintaining or upgrade our cultural or character

for future generation. These characters created a lively and vibrant environment of traditional street thus

represent our culture and society need. So, traditional street in old town can be defined as exude its own

identity of place compared to modern street. Perhaps the study of identity of traditional street in Malaysia

can be done next.

6.0 REFERENCES

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elements of traditional street in malaysia in attracting visitors

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