Kriteria kejayaan jalan tradisional di bandar sebagai tempat tumpuan pengunjung

Abstract

Nowadays, much of the discussion on traditional streets centers on how the design of modern streets disrupts the character of the traditional street. Observations indicate that this is due to the rapid and uncontrolled development of the cities. Neverthereless, there are characters of the traditional streets that are often remembered when visiting the streets. So, this research is to determine the criteria that successfully attract visitors to traditional streets. The objectives of this research are to investigate the element(s) and the criteria associated with the success of the traditional streets in attracting visitors as perceived by the users. Kuala Lumpur as the capital city of Malaysia has been chosen as the case study for this research where its character is suitable to demonstrate the dilemma of the traditional streets. Three samples of traditional streets in Kuala Lumpur have been chosen which are, Jalan Petaling, Jalan Masjid India and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. This research adopts a mixed methodology, using both the quantitative (support) and qualitative (major) methods in data collection and analysis. 330 sets of questionnaire forms are used for quantitative method and 21 respondents were selected for qualitative methods (in depth interview and photo recognition followed by interview) during the field survey. At the same time the applicability of the theories mainly generated in the west can be tested from the user’s perspective. The findings of this research suggested that the most frequently mentioned elements fall into four broad categories, namely (i) activity (ii) physical (iii) meaning and (iv) transportations. The three qualities that were frequently mentioned by the users are; (i) user and activities (ii) access and linkages (iii) comfort and image. It was observed that activity element and quality of use and activities were frequently mentioned by the user in attracting them to traditional street. This involves the type and form of trading and mixture of buildings on the street. Informal activities such as hawking and spill over activities that created a “sense of territory” are frequently mentioned by respondents. All these qualities help to contribute towards the presence of many users and activities on the street. Recommendations are given to existing traditional streets environment as well as modern streets that will determine the success of the street in attracting its visitor. This is due to the fact that the design of a street in an urban environment is about the life of the people and their environment that include culture for example. This research adopts a mixed methodology, using both the quantitative (support) and qualitative (major) methods in data collection and analysis. 330 sets of questionnaire forms are used for quantitative method and 21 respondents were selected for qualitative methods (in depth interview and photo recognition followed by interview) during the field survey. At the same time the applicability of the theories mainly generated in the west can be tested from the user’s perspective. The findings of this research suggested that the most frequently mentioned elements fall into four broad categories, namely (i) activity (ii) physical (iii) meaning and (iv) transportations. The three qualities that were frequently mentioned by the users are; (i) user and activities (ii) access and linkages (iii) comfort and image. It was observed that activity element and quality of use and activities were frequently mentioned by the user in attracting them to traditional street. This involves the type and form of trading and mixture of buildings on the street. Informal activities such as hawking and spill over activities that created a “sense of territoryâ€� are frequently mentioned by respondents. All these qualities help to contribute towards the presence of many users and activities on the street. Recommendations are given to existing traditional streets environment as well as modern streets that will determine the success of the street in attracting its visitor. This is due to the fact that the design of a street in an urban environment is about the life of the people and their environment that include culture for example.