School of Architecture Building & Design

Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture

Theories of Architecture & Urbanism (ARC61303)

Project 2
Comparative Analysis Essay

Cherilyn Chia
0321986

Tutor
Mr Nicholas Ng
Table of Contents

Abstract 3

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Ewha Shopping Street 4
1.2 Jalan Besar 5

2.0 Contact Points

2.1 Contact points of Ewha Shopping Street 6
2.2 Contact points of Jalan Besar 10

3.0 Comparative Analysis 11

4.0 Conclusion 22

5.0 References 23
Abstract

In this essay, we are required to compare and analyse the findings of our case study at Ewha Shopping Street, Seoul and the
local site research at Jalan Besar, Klang. With both areas serving as an important commercial site, the case study portrays
the application of urban development, while the local site seeks the opportunity to be revitalized for an improved community.

The analysis will concentrate on the factors affecting success and failure through urban theories, particularly through Jan
Gehl’s perspective on patterns of social activities, types of contact points and the varying degree of contact intensity.

At the conclusion of the analysis, there will be a clear understanding on the similarities and differences of contact points and
activities at the two sites and discover the structure to designing better public realm for community engagement.

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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Ewha Shopping Street

Ewha Shopping Street is a short street in the Ewha area of Seoul, South
Korea that is located next to the prestigious Ewha Women’s University. It
used to be a main road with heavy traffic due to the concentration of
public transportations. It has then been converted into a pedestrian
friendly shopping street due to the move of the famous university, to cater
for the university students. Since then, many tourists flock to the place for
cheap fashion and makeup products, as well as the concentration of
restaurants and food stalls.

Historical Background

In 1935, Ewha Womans University shifted from Jeong-dong to Sinchon,

contributing to the development of the Ewha shopping street.

In 1984, Sinchon Train Station is built between two university stations,

marking the end of the Ewha street boundary. A transit mall was then
constructed with an open space next to the station.

In 1990, Sinchon Dong is further developed as a university quarter

surrounded by few universities. Ewha Shopping Street was then cultivated
to cater for the student community.

In 2008, the new Ewha complex turned the venue into a popular tourist
attraction, further enhancing the human density of the Ewha street.

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1.2 Jalan Besar

Jalan Besar is known for its abundance in facilities provided such as

banks, convenience shops, restaurants and traditional business. It is
situated strategically to the Klang KTM station, the center of South
Klang. Unlike Ewha Shopping Street, there are less foreign tourists but
more locals who visit the place for famous delicacies. it is also
surrounded by pre-war shophouses, providing much historical
significance in Klang itself.

Historical Background

The area around Jalan Besar used to be an old administration and

commercial district. With buildings of 3 storey heights and the existence
of five foot walkways are the characteristics of the street. Economical
development has brought in new building typologies at the place, bringing
in variation on the five-foot walkway and larger vehicular lanes.
1951
Klang

Currently, the function of spaces is still focused on commercial activities

due to the intention to develop the area. Open spaces have also decreased
drastically, limiting the community to gather in shophouses rather than in
the open.

2018
Klang

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2.0 Contact Points
2.1 Contact points of Ewha Shopping Street

Contact Point 1: Tourist Bus Drop-off Area at Yonsei-ro South Junction

Contact Point 2: U-Plex Mall Open Space at Sinchon Yonsei-ro Culture Street
Contact Point 3: Sinchon Station Plaza
Contact Point 4: Ewha Second Hand Alley
Contact Point 5: Ewha Street North Entrance
Contact Point 6: Dahyeon Culture Park

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Contact Point 1: Tourist Bus Drop-off Area at Yonsei-ro South Junction

In efforts to cater for high pedestrian concentration, the Yonsei-ro South junction is the pick-up point for public
transportation to enter the Yonsei-ro street due to the road restriction of only allowing public transportations to enter,
restricting private vehicles from contributing to road congestion. It is a high intensity contact point due to the availability of
the Sinchon train station and bus station at the site, offering to the school and shops nearby. The high pedestrian usage
provides a mixture of chance and passive interaction, whereby passive interaction occurs when the crowd is moving along
the street, while chance interaction happens when tourists ask the locals about the routes and destination of the bus.

The images show the pedestrian usage of pathways and the buses allowed throughout the street.

Contact Point 2: U-Plex Mall Open Space at Sinchon Yonsei-ro Culture Street

As Sinchon Yonsei-ro Culture Street is a transit mall, the condition of the street is pedestrian friendly as there are adequate
zebra crossings, large pedestrian pathways as well as a public open space in front of U-Plex Mall, allowing the congregation to
socialize and be involved in street activities facilitated with decorations as an attraction. The open space favors the setting
up of street stalls and performances, permitting close interaction between friends and a chance contact between the
shoppers and street vendors.

The image shows the crowd interaction in the open complex and the street vendor activities.

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Contact Point 3: Sinchon Station Plaza

Sinchon Station Plaza is a meeting point of tourists and locals where the train and bus stations are located. The open plaza in
front of the Sinchon Station acts as a gathering and event space, catering for large congregations during festivals, allowing
flea markets and street art performances. This results in the highest intensity of the area during the night. The presence of
decorations provide a platform for optional activities such as photo-taking, while the events contribute to the interaction
between acquaintances and close friends.

The images show the night events contributing to gathering of large crowds at the open plaza.

Contact Point 4: Ewha Second Hand Alley

Ewha Second Hand Alley is only active at night, whereby high intensity is caused by the sale of cheap second hand products to
the student community. The intimate scale created by the stalls along the alley attracts people to engage with the
surroundings as they walk through the street. The alley caters for passive and chance interaction, where people used the area
as a shortcut across other streets while being able to socialize with the purchasing activities.

The images show the spill of fashion products across the second hand alley while people are seen passing by the area.

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Contact Point 5: Ewha Street North Entrance

The Ewha street north entrance is the starting point of the Ewha street from the Ewha Women’s University. It is a vibrant
junction whereby students pause and decide their route of travelling around the area. It is also catered with street stalls and
convenience stores to cater for the likes of the people. The close proximity of the facilities contributes to moderate intensity
contacts, where most of the interaction between locals are passive. However, the concentration of cafes provides for the
coffee culture of the Koreans, encouraging close interaction between the student community.

The image shows street leading to the Ewha University, with street stalls alongside a cafe as people walk through the area.

Contact Point 6: Dahyeon Culture Park

Dahyeon Culture Park is an open plaza where it allows people to gather, rest or socialize before they continue with their
activities. The provision of sitting areas facilitates day events for higher intensity, while the park is also used as a venue for
the video shooting of variety shows. The condition of being buffered by the street stalls and trees provides an enclosure to the
plaza, giving privacy while close interaction happen between the locals.

The images show the locals socializing at the steps while street vendor stalls are concentrated at the pedestrian path.

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2.2 Contact points of Jalan Besar

C6
C1

C5
C4 C2

C3

Contact Point 1: KTM station

Contact Point 2: Chong Kok Kopitiam
Contact Point 3: Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery
Contact Point 4: Food stalls
Contact Point 5: Open car park
Contact Point 6: Five-foot walkway

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Contact Point 1: KTM station

The KTM station provides for public to gather for transportation to their workplaces and intended destinations. Besides acting
as a temporal node, it allows for chance contacts between the people and the taxi drivers as well as social activities amongst
the community in the spaces of the station. However, due to its initial function, people will not spend a long time at the station,
resulting in a lower intensity and concentration during non peak hours.

The images show the people gathering around the train station as well as interaction in the train station.

Contact Point 2: Chong Kok Kopitiam

The famous restaurant acts as a node and a contact point, where it caters for necessary activities such as eating, optional
activities to engage with the shop owners and workers, as well as social activities, where people are provided with a
comfortable space to talk amongst their friends and acquaintances. The intensity is high throughout the day, as the food
culture contributes to the congregation of the working class community and tourists.

The images show the mixture of community engagement in the kopitiam during the day.

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Contact Point 3: Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery

The Royal Gallery serves as a seasonal contact point, whereby tourists will gather at the front as a starting point of the
heritage walk during the weekends. The intensity is low during the weekdays by the cause of inadequate promotion of the
place whereas moderate intensity is expected during the weekend mornings, where tourists join in for the Heritage Walk. The
surrounding pedestrian sidewalks provide for passive contact and chance contact between the tourists and locals.

The images show people gathering and walking around the royal gallery.

Contact Point 4: Food stalls

The local food stalls at the open car park area are attractions for the working class community on site as it provides for
affordable meals while allowing people to socialize amongst each other with the provision of dining furnitures. The intensity
is low to moderate due to the lack of interesting activities around the area, lack of comfortability and only attracting the
locals during lunch hours. It caters for chance contact between the vendors and the customers as well as generating
resultant activities.

The images show the working class community socializing and doing their businesses at the food stalls.

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Contact Point 5: Open car park

The open car park also acts as an seasonal contact point, whereby cultural activities are held during festivals at the open
space. This is due to the lack of open space at the area. The intensity is low on normal days due to the lack of activities.
Intensity only peaks when festivals are held at the venue. Acting as an event space, it allows social gatherings in the
community and chance contact between the locals and tourists.

The images show the open car park area used for festive/ heritage events.

Contact Point 6: Five-foot walkway

The five-foot walkway serves as a contact point where it allows activities for small groups of people. It is observed that along
the path, small businesses such as shoe repairing stalls are set up to attract people for their services. These small businesses
encourage chance contact between the customers and the cobbler. The passage also permits small discussions amongst the
members of the community while allowing passive contact.

The images show the businesses and discussions along the five-foot walkway.

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3.0 Comparative Analysis

Types of Activities

Based on Jan Gehl's ‘Life Between Buildings’, outdoor activities take place in public spaces in which he divided into three
categories: necessary activities, optional activities and social activities. Outdoor activities create settings to the public realm
and are affected by various conditions.

Necessary activities take place when the weather, time and place is suitable. It can reach its peak when the characteristics
of physical environment is in a better condition. Optional activities occur when available outdoor spaces are led to good use.
For instance, reading on a bench and sitting down to sip a cup of coffee. Physical preparations are crucial points which
prompt the participants to be involved and enjoy the activities in a pleasant environment.

Social activities are dependant on the presence of others in public spaces. It encompasses children playing at a playground,
conversations in a group and diverse communal activities, as well as passive contacts, by merely looking and hearing others.

Both Ewha Shopping Street and Jalan Besar accommodates a combination of these three activities at their respective levels.
They are highly influenced by the scale and composition of buildings, availability of open spaces as well as climatic
conditions.

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Necessary Activities

Necessary activities in Jalan Besar mostly revolve around the working class community and the tourists moving in and out of
the site. Public transportation is an important element which contributes to the movement of the community. The Klang KTM
station is a common contact point for the crowd in the area, similar to the function of Sinchon and Ewha train and bus stations
near Ewha Shopping Street. They are similar in terms of proximity to the sites, where one end of the streets are directly
connected to their respective train stations.

Jalan Besar connecting to Klang KTM station Ewha Street connecting to Ewha train station

Jalan Besar is a commercial district with the concentration of traditional shophouses, banks and restaurants to contribute to
the working class community and tourists, whereas Ewha Shopping Street is a commercial zone catering mainly for the
university students. Even though they are both business districts, due to the different group of target users in the area, the
type of streetscape facilities are quite different. Jalan Besar caters more for vehicular movement, where car parks and wide
roads are present for high vehicular traffic, while pedestrian walkways are limited, creating smaller pedestrian groups and
individuals. In contrast, Ewha Shopping Street caters for high pedestrian density resulting in large pedestrian walkways and
smaller vehicular roads, due to the student culture of walking around in larger groups of friends.

Scale of pedestrian path along Jalan Besar

Scale of pedestrian path along Ewha Street 15

Another distinction between the two sites revolves around the time of the day affecting necessary activities that take place.
Jalan Besar is only vibrant throughout the day due to the shorter operating hours of the shops, creating high human intensity
and concentration during the day but significantly less crowd after 7pm. Unlike Jalan Besar, the opening of street vendor stalls
along Ewha Shopping Street in conjunction with the longer shop operating hours approaching the nightfall leads to a higher
pedestrian concentration at night.

Jalan Besar seen vibrant during the day Ewha Street having crowds throughout the day and night

In terms of the condition of pedestrian circulation, even though both streets act as a transition towards a train station, the
pedestrians at Jalan Besar prefer to walk along the five-foot walkway while the pedestrian circulation on Ewha Shopping Street
occurs on the open pedestrian pathway. The factors affecting the pattern is primarily due to climate conditions, activity period
as well as scale and proportion of the streetscape. The hot and humid climate tropical climate in Jalan Besar contributes to the
obligation of the pedestrians to use the covered walkway during the day while the temperate conditions in Ewha Shopping
Street encourages the public to walk in the open.

Pedestrian circulation in five foot walkway around Jalan Besar Open pedestrian paths around Ewha street

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The scale and proportion of the streetscape affects the comfortability for pedestrian movement. Even though the five-foot
walkway is mostly used by the pedestrians at Jalan Besar, the obstructions of over-spilled products and furnitures at certain
areas disrupt the continuity of the walkway, forcing pedestrians to walk out to the open pedestrian pavement. The discomfort
created causes low to moderate concentration. In fact, even though being out in the open, the pedestrian path at Ewha
Shopping Street can cater for people walking in large groups. Thus, the higher concentration happens occurs along the street.

Confined five-foot walkway limits the types of Large pedestrian pavement allows space for street
activity and human concentration vendors and larger human flow

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Optional Activities

The shops at Jalan Besar are more function-based and developed to serve for the community necessities. Therefore, facade
of shops are less interesting and discourage pedestrians from window shopping activities. Some of the pre-war shophouses
are even not maintained properly, further decreasing public interest. Meanwhile, shops at Ewha Shopping Street cater more
towards the desire of the younger community, prompting to the focus on fashion and makeup products as well as cafes.
These shops are visually attractive, encouraging larger crowd to attend to optional activities such as sightseeing and window
shopping. For example, the appealing cafes invite the people to dine in or take away drinks.

Monotonous facade of shophouses at Jalan Besar due to the focus on functionality

Vibrant shopfronts around Ewha Street encourage purchasing activities

A common interest between the two sites is the food attraction, where cafes and restaurants are available and acts as a place
of high intensity. Within close proximity of Jalan Besar, the number of famous restaurants result in the attraction of tourists
and locals to opt for eating. The small scale businesses enhance the intimacy between the pedestrians and the restaurants,
thus attracting both locals and tourists to dine in the place. As a variation, Ewha Shopping Street has more street vendor
stalls around than restaurants. This provides for an opportunity for public to interact with the vendors as the temporary stalls
are conceived as more intimate than large restaurants.

Chong Kok Kopitiam Ewha Street Vendors

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Street furniture acts as an important role for optional activities to occur. The lack of street seatings around Jalan Besar
prevents pedestrian concentration along the streets as the public have less opportunity to rest if they prefer to linger around
longer. Seatings are only available as spillovers to the five-foot walkway at restaurants. Within close range, the surroundings
of Ewha Shopping Street provides several seating spots, allowing people to rest before continuing on their journey. This
prolongs the lingering time of pedestrians, maintaining the high concentration of pedestrians.

Constricted five-foot walkway around Jalan Besar used as spillovers and lack in public furnitures

Pocket plazas around Ewha area caters for public sitting

Lack of space for streetscape decorations around Jalan Besar also reduces the opportunity for people to take photos. On the
contrary, the existence of open plazas with close proximity to Ewha Shopping Street initiate placement of street decorations
and sculptures, creating options for people to take photos of their surroundings.

Sculptures acting as a node in the open spaces around Ewha Street

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Around the neighbourhood, both sites have an open space used for holding festivals and celebrations. An open car park space
near Jalan Besar is used for cultural events and festivals, encouraging participation of the community in the activities. The
public park, plazas and junctions surrounding Ewha Street is also used for large congregational activities, engaging the
presence of the public.

Cultural festivals and community bonding events held at open car park spaces to cater for larger crowd

Sinchon transit mall near Ewha street facilitates street performances and activities for the young community

The two sites also differ from each other in terms of contact points intensity. The conducive environment of Ewha Street is
noticeably more favourable as compared to Jalan Besar for optional activities such as casual sitting and hangout zones. This
is much affected by the scale difference between the streets and the lack of sitting area in Jalan Besar, with the weather
conditions considered.

Besides, the degree of activities between the two contact points are rather contrasting. More activities occur in the public
realm around the train stations in Ewha area in relation to the Klang KTM station. This is due to the availability of open space
around the stations. The public transportation entries around Ewha Street lead to gathering spaces whereas the KTM station
connects directly to the main vehicular road without providing for the congregation. Another aspect in the success of
activities is due to safety consideration, where the roads in Ewha area confine the vehicular movement while high traffic flow
is expected along Jalan Besar.

Lack of open space at Klang KTM station Availability of space in front of Sinchon train station

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Social Activities

Social activities occur amongst two or more individuals as a result of the combination of necessary and optional activities.

Through comparison of Jalan Besar and Ewha Shopping Street, it is identifiable that a high level of social activity transpire on
site, primarily due to the nature of the contact points located at commercial districts. Both sites can only support happenings
with the presence of other people in the society to produce community connections. This can be classified into two distinct
categories, which are passive and active contacts. In the nature of a commercial zone, both connections seem to exist
simultaneously.

Heritage festival in Jalan Besar Christmas celebration around Ewha Street

The variation between the two contact points is the result of the type of community existing at site. As discovered, most social
activities around Jalan Besar is generated by the locals than the tourists while an equilibrium is achieved in the distribution of
locals and tourists at Ewha Street.

Shops around Jalan Besar was designed to cater for daily necessities and act as an extension for traditional trades, hence it
appeals more to the locals. More specifically, these businesses attract the adults and working community, contributing to the
inadequate dynamism of public space. The outcome of this is an incompetent contact point with minimal activities, affecting
the crowd of younger generations and tourists to spend time around the area.

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Conclusion

Through the comparative analysis between Jalan Besar and Ewha Shopping Street, the type of social groups affect much on
the consideration of public realm design in the urban development. Despite having similarities in terms of the type of districts
at both sites, the concern on the community needs have affected the comfortability of the contact points, thus limiting the
types of activities in the area. The required scale of spaces for the crowd pattern has significantly affected the intensity of the
pedestrians, posing different values on the Asian streets.

In relation to Jan Gehl’s urban theory, creating multi-use spaces can offer to larger range of crowds. However, if a space is
much restricted for specific purposes only, it can reduce the occurence of optional and social activities. This is very much
relatable to the characteristics of the streets of Jalan Besar and Ewha Shopping Street, where pedestrian paths and road
junctions in Jalan Besar only offer as transition zones, while they are being used for setting up of temporal stalls and street
performances in Ewha Street. This explains why the streetscape in Ewha street is more appealing and dynamic than in Jalan
Besar. With regards to being more successful, Jalan Besar needs to be offered as a pedestrian friendly zone to allow for better
walkability, and transformed as a contact point of South Klang, catering for the needs of a larger community and producing a
wider range of activities for the public.

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References

Gehl, Jan and Jo Koch. Life Between Buildings. Washington, D.C. Island Press, 2011.

Yonsei-ro, Seoul's First Transit Mall – Kojects. (2018). Retrieved from

https://kojects.com/2014/06/30/yonsei-ro-seouls-first-transit-mall/

Ewha Woman's University - Fashion Street Shopping! - AroiMakMak | Your One-Stop Travel Guide. (2018). Retrieved from
http://aroimakmak.com/ewha-womans-university-fashion-street-shopping/

Ewha Womans University Shopping Street : Best Budget Shopping Place | Travelvui. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.travelvui.com/south-korea/seoul/ewha-womans-university-shopping-street/

Ewha Womans University Fashion Street : TRIPPOSE. (2018). Retrieved from

https://en.trippose.com/shopping/ewha-womans-university-fashion-street

Shamim, S. (2018). The Muslim-Friendly Guide To Exploring Sinchon – Seoul’s Coolest University Town. Retrieved from
https://www.havehalalwilltravel.com/blog/the-muslim-friendly-guide-to-exploring-sinchon-seouls-coolest-university-town/

307. EWHA Womans University. (2018). Retrieved from https://thetudungtraveller.com/2015/07/19/307-ewha-womans-university/

claudine, a. (2018). Travel South Korea - Day 7 (EWHA Womans University, Unhyeongung Palace & N Seoul Tower). Retrieved from
http://youandmecapturedmoments.blogspot.com/2015/03/travel-south-korea-day-7-ewha-womans.html

Where to shop in Seoul (and some tips!) • tripleRIN. (2018). Retrieved from
http://triplerin.com/2014/07/where-to-shop-in-seoul.html

Klang Heritage Fest 2017. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.foodconnection.com.my/page/Klang-Heritage-Fest-2017

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