SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE(HONS) IN ARCHITECTURE

THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM (ARC1303/ARC2224)

PROJECT 2: THE IMAGE OF THE CITY

AN ILLUSTRATED ESSAY WITH A COGNITIVE

MAPPING OF KLANG VALLEY

NAME : TEOH HUI YU

STUDENT ID : 0313701

LECTURER : MS. IDA

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

KLANG VALLEY

Figure 01: Location map of chosen site, Klang Valley

Klang, also spelled as Kelang, is the royal town of Selangor, located on the west coast

of peninsular Malaysia before Shah Alam. The town is names after the Klang River,

which cuts the town in half. The royal town of Klang has been a human settlement since

prehistoric times. As Klang sit on strategic location and rich in natural resources, it had

once became the capital of British colonial administration for Selangor in 1874. Today,

Klang remained a place with high historical value, a lot of historical building can be

found there.

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COGNITIVE MAPPING

The term cognitive mapping was first introduced by Edward C. Tolman through article

on "Cognitive maps in Rats and Men" The purpose of this paper was aim to analyze

how rat learned and recognize the locations of rewards in a maze. Cognitive maps

represent the mental state of physical locations. In architecture, "The Image of the City"

written by Kevin Lynch in 1960 uses the idea of cognitive mapping to analyze and

explain the imageability of a city. Imageability is a quality in a physical object, for

example building which gives a high probability of evoking a strong image in our mind. It

is the product of both immediate sensation and the memory of past experiences. This

happens through the two way process between us, the observer and the environment.

In this book, Kevin Lynch uses the central areas of three American cities as case study:

Boston, Massachusetts; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Los Angeles, California. Based

on Kevin Lynch, a highly imageable city would seem well formed, distinct, remarkable

and invite greater attention to people. Each individual picture is unique, and this form

the approximates the public image of city. The other influences on imageability such as

social meanings, function, history or even its name. The city images are classified into

five elements: paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks. Districts are structured

with nodes, defined by edges, penetrated by paths, and sprinkled with landmarks. They

regularly overlap and pierce one another. The purpose of this research was to learn

what forms make for strong image and thus to suggest some principles for urban

design.

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2.0 ILLUSTRATIVE ANALYSIS

The city Image and Its elements:

1. PATHS

Paths are the dominant in total image of city as it function as circulation. Paths structure

are usually the difficult one. In Klang, main route and some secondary route can be

clearly identified. Jalan Tengku Kelana is the strongest path of all, from the other side of

Klang River until the Simpang Lima roundabout, which connects all the main routes in

Klang Valley.

Figure 02: Cross junction of Jalan Tengku Kelana from another side of Klang.

Little India sits along Jalan Tengku Kelana. It is a colorful and crowded street which

selling Indian sarees, food, daily products and etc. It is the genius loci of place. The

concentration of special activity along the street may give it prominence in the minds of

observers. Little India was recognize by its street culture, its activities and crowds. And

it had became an identifying mark in Klang Valley. Next, characteristics of spatial

qualities were able to strengthen the image of particular paths, which suggest that

extreme wide of narrow road will attract people attention. The great width of Jalan

Tengku Kelana providing two way for vehicle access and five foot way for pedestrians.

No matter weekdays nor weekends, people are crowded at Jalan Tengku Kelana and

there will be very heavy traffic along the road during peak hour.

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Figure 04: Colorful Little India street

A great deal of planting could reinforce a path image very effectively. On the junction of

Jalan Stesen, there is a green space located just opposite the Post Office. It is a park

which sometimes act as a nodes for people to gather.

Figure 05: A small landscape in the middle of city , surrounded by busy roads

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Paths is an obvious functional necessity, people regularly depended upon this quality.

Paths which have a satisfactory degree of track continuity were selected as the

dependable ones in an environment. Besides, people tend to think of path destinations

and origin points. Paths with clear and well-known origins and destinations had stronger

identities and helped tie the city together. People from Jalan Tengku Kelana will travel

through Jalan Jalan Stesen, Jalan Besar, Jalan Raya Timur or drive straight until

Simpang Lima roundabout and to their destinations. Thus, paths has directional quality.

Railway road is other example of paths. KTM Klang railway road It lying next to the

Klang River. Moreover, when we consider more than one path, then the path

intersection becomes vital since it is the point of decision. Cross junction at Jalan

Tengku Kelana have high traffic flow between the other side of Klang River and Little

India. As mentioned earlier, Simpang Lima was a roundabout with five entering paths

occurring at rapid intervals.

Figure 06: Railway path below the overpass

Figure 07: Simpang Lima roundabout

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2. EDGES

Edges are the linear elements not considered as path but it is the boundaries between

two kind of areas. Klang River clearly divide Klang Valley into two sides. When people

mentioned about Klang, they will remember the wide Klang River with Jalan Tengku

Kelana overpass connecting both side of Klang. Thus, Jalan Tengku Kelana also a well

defined edges in Klang Valley. It might be called overhead edges, when people looking

up from Jalan Besar.

Figure 08: Overpass of Jalan Tengku Kelana from the other side of Klang Valley.

The railway road is also a clear define edge lying over the city image. Edges are often

paths as well. The element was usually pictured as a path, reinforced by boundary

characteristics. Many edges are uniting seams, rather than isolating barriers. Jalan

Besar and Jalan Raya Timur are join together at the end of Jalan Stesen. The visible

boundary of the road seam along which the two major areas are clearly joined together.

Edges may also, like paths, have directional qualities. It is difficult to think of Klang

without picturing Klang River, even though sometimes it produced bed smells due to

rubbish in the river.

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Figure 09: Clear edges on the Jalan Raya Timur.

Figure 10: Klang River act as river edge.

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3. DISTRICTS

Districts can be recognized internally, and occasionally can be used as external

references as a person goes by or towards them. Klang Valley have well-defined

characteristics districts, form by lots of shop lots along Jalan Tengku Kelana, Jalan

Stesen and Jalan Besar, which these all categorized as commercial districts. The

districts were the basic elements of the city image. A clear districts produce a strong

image for the city and also the people.

Figure 11: A long row of shoplots (commercial district) can be seen everywhere in Klang.

Edges seem to play a secondary role as they may set limits to a district and reinforce its

identity. One of the most recognizable building under government district are court

which confined to the borders of paths, and also of its obvious function, size, and define

edges. The wall surrounding the court are very high compared to other building. It

clearly defined its district and standing alone in its zone. Besides, the police station and

bomba unmistakable divide Jalan Besar into two districts which are government district

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and commercial district. Other district may be link together. Basically, government

district, commercial district, residential district, religious district, recreational district in

Klang Valley, the regions are close enough together and sufficiently well joined to make

a continuous mosaic of distinctive districts.

Figure 12: The court, bomba and police station have a very strong edges differentiate the district on site.

Figure 13: Religious district in Klang can be clearly identified.

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4. NODES

Nodes are the strategic foci into which the observer can enter, typically either junctions

of paths, or concentrations of some characteristics. The cross junction of Jalan Islana

are one of the center point for vehicle access and pedestrian access. The road sign can

be seen to provide people direction. As decisions must be made at junctions, people

tend to put their attention at junction and perceive nearby elements with more than

normal clarity.

Figure 14: The cross junction for vehicle and people access.

One of the strongest nodes around Klang Valley was the Simpang Lima roundabout. It

is the interconnect point of five main routes from different direction which are Jalan

Tengku Kelana (Little India direction), Jalan Istana, Persiaran Tengku Ampuan

Rahimah, Persiaran Raja Muda Musa and Jalan Jambatan Kota. The traffic level is the

high that jam during peak hour.

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Figure 15: Simpang Lima roundabout.

Major railway station are almost always important city nodes, since it is functionally vital

for commuter. KTM Klang is the oldest KTM station that been served for 100 years. It

was crowded by people and cars during peak hour as it is the nearest railway station in

Klang area. KTM Klang also located at strategic T-junction nodes between Jalan Besar,

Jalan Istana and Jalan Raya Timur, which can be seen in some distance.

Figure 16: KTM Klang at T-junction.

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The bus stop beside the court may be both junctions and concentrations in city as it is a

stop point to wait for bus. A strong physical form is not absolutely essential to the

recognition of a node. A row of hawker stall exist at a narrow side alley between

building. The hawker stalls are always crowded with people. This node are unique in

some way and at the same time to intensify some surrounding characteristics.

Figure 17: The bus stop will be crowded during peak hour.

Figure 18: A long row of hawker stalls beside tall shop lots.

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5. LANDMARDS

Landmarks, the point references considered to be external to the observer, are simple

physical elements which may vary widely in scale. Klang Valley is full of historical

buildings, but the landmarks are mostly religious buildings. The Masjid India Klang is a

significant mosque that can be seen even from a distance. Masjid India Klang stands

out from the shop lots, figure-background contrasting. It become more easily

identifiable on site. It consider as a distant landmarks where people that unfamiliar with

Klang Valley will use the Masjid as a guide or references. Besides, Sri Nagara

Thendayuthapan Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Klang have different scale of

fenestration and details due to its functional and symbolic purpose. It became a well-

identified image and visible from many locations.

Figure 19: Masjid India Klang can be seen from distance. It is a significantly beautiful mosque.

Location at a junction involving path decisions strengthens a landmark. For example the

RHB Bank that sit on the T junction of Jalan Diaudin had become landmark for local or

tourists because of its function and strategic location. The activity associated with an

element may also make it a landmark. OCBC Bank that sit on Jalan Istana and CIMB

Bank that sit on Jalan Dato Hamzah had become a local landmark as people are going

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there frequently. Restaurant Seng Huat Bak Kut Teh has been famous for many years,

people will travel from far just to taste it.

Figure 20: Banks will always become landmarks for people to remember, especially corner lot bank.

KTM Klang, Post Office and Gallery are also the landmarks on site which sit on strategic

location of junctions. People use them as a reference and will mentioned these

buildings when giving people the direction on site.

Figure 21: KTM sit on the T-junction, became the focal point of road. Thus easy for people to remember.

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Figure 22: Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre became landmark of place due to its function and height.

Figure 23: Post Office and Gallery sit next to each other and both became landmark due to their function,

identity and size.

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3.0 DISCUSSION ON FINDINGS BASED ON KEVIN LYNCH'S THEORY

ON IMAGE OF THE CITY AND IMAGEABILITY

When studying image of the Klang Valley area, it is interesting to note how it is made up

on the whole. Jalan Tengku Kelana is the strongest path on site, which connects all the

secondary routes start from the other side of Klang River to Simpang Lima roundabout.

The site having strong clear edges where the presence of Klang River cuts Klang into

half, and the railroad lying next to the river. Jalan Tengku Kelana act as one of the

edges as it is very wide, straight, and connects both side of Klang together. Another

edges can be determined at Jalan Raya Timur as the wall fencing covered the view of

the roadside.

Basically Klang has distinctive district. The shop lots are maintaining its old shop house

typology along the streets. The government district are clearly separated from the

commercial area. Besides, the religious district can be seen easily. Due to its function

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and features, it stand out from the figure-background of the city, people can see and

recognize from far.

There is quite a few of road intersection point which became nodes on site. One of the

strongest nodes unmistakable is Simpang Lima roundabout which connects five main

routes of Klang valley from different direction. Acorrding to Kevin Lynch, major railway

station are almost always important city nodes, so as KTM Klang which crowded with

people and cars during peak hours. The food are always the attraction point for people

on site. There are few famous food stalls and restaurant around the site that are full of

customers during lunch time.

Most of the landmarks in Klang Valley carried function and identity. For example KTM

Klang which had been served for 100 year, it is easy for us to remember. The Masjid

India Klang sit significantly on the site, which can be seen from distance also became a

landmarks in Klang Valley. One of the focus point in Klang Valley is Little India sit along

Jalan Tengku Kelana, it is full of India culture, colorful, music and crowded with people

and cars. It is the most lively street in the surrounding site.

According to Kevin Lynch, the more these elements overlap, the stronger the

impression of a unified region. This enhances the identity of an area. Klang Valley is a

beautiful city with high historical value, distinctive district, high accessibility, rich in

identity and function, and a point where people gather. It is supporting Kevin Lynch's

theory that the image of city is ever developing.

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4.0 CONCLUSION

Kevin Lynch had emphasized on the physical environment and relate to attribute of

identity and structure in a mental image. He mentioned that a highly imageable city

would seem well formed, distinct, remarkable and would invite people attention towards

it. Klang Valley has clear pattern of high continuity, with many distinctive parts clearly

interconnected. People on site would be well orientated and move easily, with the aid of

landmarks as reference point. Kevin Lynch's five element can be clearly identified in

Klang Valley: paths, edges, districts, nodes and landmarks.

According to Kevin Lynch, a city should not only be organized, but also should speak of

the individuals and their complex society. Klang Valley had carried its own identity and

genius loci of place with maintaining as much historical value as they could. For Little

India, it carry strong culture in terms of intangible qualities such as sound, texture, color,

smell as well as strong tangible qualities such as shop house typology along the Jalan

Tengku kelana which have high level of traffic and amount of people. The genius loci of

place can be easily identified as different from other place in Selangor. It is a place

where people can easily remember and create strong memory for the observers.

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5.0 REFERENCES

Writer's Web: Writing an Analytic Research Paper. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/rsrchppr.html

Kuala Lumpur Little India Brickfields - Kuala Lumpur Attractions. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/attractions/brickfields.htm#

Little India Brickfields Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia Tourist & Travel Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://kuala-lumpur.attractionsinmalaysia.com/Little-India-Brickfields.php

Cognitive Map Examples. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~arced/arch&society/cogmap/cogex.htm

Moses, B. (2007). Brickfields: A place, a time, a memory. Kuala Lumpur?: Bernice Narayanan.

Jiang,B. (2012), The Image of the City Out of the Underlying Scaling of City Artifacts or

Locations, Sweden

Lynch, K. (1960). The image of the city. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Caroline Filmer. (2012, January 8). Cognitive Maps [Video file]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k7oikkz9mg

Oddur Bauer. (2015, October 14). Kevin Lynch - The Image of the City [Video file]. Retrieved

from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM7QYvyvCuc