Walkability as key strategy in improving weld quay legibility

Abstract

Walkability is an important concept in sustainable urban design. It is a measure figure of how friendly an area is. They create social interaction in urban environment through pedestrian activities. However, in a primarily car-dependent street network country like Malaysia, it is common to see urban design evolve around the priority of cars instead of people. Concentrating on Georgetown city, this paper studies walkability issues focusing at Weld Quay area. The demand for vehicular transportation increased immensely when Georgetown was inscribed as one of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Heritage Site in 2008. Heavily traffic street is unsafe and does not attract liveliness. Furthermore they damage the waterfront’s legibility; physical qualities that makes a place understandable. Jinnai (2001) highlighted that the waterfront has a potential role as a new public place and nodes for urban centres. This research aimed to revitalize Georgetown waterfront’s legibility through the concept of walkability. The objectives of this research is to anticipate the degree of walkability, to identify the major issues related to walkability and to establish potential ideas for better walkable environment for Weld Quay. The study uses qualitative approach with grounded theory as its research method. This research is expect to produce a walkability strategies that could possibly promote walkability concept in urban waterfront area of Goergetown. Walkable and livable city attract many of the best professionals in which this attributes benefits local people economically and socially.