Identification of the morphological characteristic of palembang riverside settlement

Abstract

Urban development and changing life style of locals is inevitable. These phenomena challenge the uniqueness of the old area due to destruction of the elements and city identity. This research questioned on how the morphology of urban elements can be utilized to rebuild the identity of a river city. It is aimed to identify the morphology of riverside settlement in Palembang to rebuild the city's identity by investigating on how place character can establish the identity of city, identifying the physical and spatial patterns of Musi riverside settlement and investigating the interdependency between urban morphology and identity. A mixed-method approach was derived from the disciplines of urban morphology and environmental psychology. This approach was used to examine the people-place relationship and the morphology change at Musi riverside settlement. For people-place relationship, a total of 144 residents participated in the survey, 25 residents were interviewed and a total of 152 old photos were used. For urban morphology, the research used four maps of year 1875, 1920, 1945 and 2004. The findings reveal an understanding on the relationships between identity and urban morphology by showing (1) the influence of the river and the tributaries in creating the city's structure as well as its identity, (2) the role of place attachment and sense of place in encouraging the persistency of identity, and (3) the interdependency between urban morphology and identity. The major findings suggest that the people's cultural activity is the key element to create a strong identity of a place. In turn, it leads to a strong place identity. Thus, the old urban elements that accommodate the cultural activities should be protected, preserved or conserved. This study provides a new framework to assist urban planners, architects and policy makers in determining the appropriate actions in redeveloping the old area in the city.