Typomorphological development around Mass Rapid Transit Stations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Urban morphology is an interdisciplinary field with different approaches and technical terms whereby its focuses particularly on the domains of geography and architecture. It has substantially contributed to the understanding, intervening, and helping cities grow sustainably. Under the Eleventh Malaysian Plan, the city plan of Kuala Lumpur emphasised the Rakyat-Oriented approach; good quality of life and urban sustainability. In practice, Kuala Lumpur has entered into an important and crucial period in its growth ever since the first 5-year plan was introduced. Thus, the existing car-oriented urban areas are a result of the initial large-scale growth of Kuala Lumpur (1895-1960). Without doubt, the historicity of Kuala Lumpur proved that the transport system had influenced its rapid expansion. Hence, it is important to investigate the present growth of Kuala Lumpur, based on the recent mass rapid transit system (MRT) in the city landscape. It is an attempt to explain the current structure of a local plan by examining its physical development and social elements. Therefore, the study aimed at documenting its typomorphological phenomena in view of informing the management in creating policy decision. A descriptive exploratory approach was employed to elicit data related to typomorphological development theory and its social implications. This was achieved through (1) interview, (2) empirical observation, case study and cartographic redrawing, and (3) survey questionnaires administered to 400 respondents. The data were then analysed using urban morphology theoretical framework, and urban theory within regional science to account for changing density gradient that characterise the local settlement whereas, the survey questionnaire data are analysed using SPSS-21 software. The typomorphological development model is found to be capable of approximating reality. The results indicated that the general pictures of the present growth are deterministic: It is found that great similarities exist between the various Fringe belts of Kuala Lumpur. Our observation shows that in all cases, high-density high-rise development occurs closer to MRT stations, but unfortunately not for affordable housing. The examined development shows there is a tendency for large scale growth within the industrial outer Fringe belt and commercial inner Fringe belt. Even so, the patterns of growth indicated that MRT is residential biased. This large-scale development was found to be governed by the multiple land use that included open space, brownfield site, and immense mixed-use developments. The social element results indicated that the characteristics of MRT have a significant effect on residential satisfaction. Consequently, further analytical interpretation of the findings identified the core typomorphological development impact of phase of urbanisation, social aspect and economic benefit. The findings suggested that MRT does not benefit the poor in which this is contrary to Jane Jacobs’s argument that, social vitality was the essential ingredients for achieving a city that functions well. Hence, this leads to a rethink on how MRT is used to allow for social sustainability. Based on this typomorphological evidence-based approach, the researcher argues that the area closer to MRT stations has higher residential densities that enable more people for easy access to MRT without the need for vehicle parking. Many residents identify that MRT is cheaper, but still a reliable mode of transportation as compared to owning a car. Ultimately, a typomorphological development framework suggests that the future of Kuala Lumpur in term of going for Low Carbon Society can be realised when urban population will largely utilise MRT train service for their daily routine.