First thing to know before we go further:
What is Micro-architecture (McAr)?
Micro-architecture is a small or mini buildings found along the roads and in urban areas such as corner shops, recreational parks, public squares, specific facilities including overhead bridges,lamp post,car parks, kiosks, pedestrian walkways and others(Azimin Tazilan, 2008). Below are the examples of micro-architecture:
facilities McAr: Bus stop
facilities McAr: Street Lamp post
Retail McAr: kiosk
Retail McAr: street portrait painter
image from random website
As you can see the image above. There are 2 types of McAr; retail and facilities. My research is focused on Retail McAr.
Why I'm doing this research?
There are few issues:
1) illegal trade- most of street vendor has no license. what is the consequences?
2) abolishment of street vendor- transferring the street vendor to a centralized hub is a failure. why its happened?
3) culture of the streets need to be conserve- identity of the town.
New Pekan Rabu at Kuah, Langkawi is a failure because there is no customer and nonstrategic location
Using Azimin S.M. Tazilan (2008), sustainable design elements for urban street micro-architecture in Malaysia, I conducted a study on conservation of street cultural through micro-architecture in Malaysia.
It has thus been established that street retail micro architecture is an important and integral part of Malaysia's city landscapes; its abolishment would lead to a decline on the city's part, as can be seen in the case of Putrajaya where there are no longer any street vendors selling banana fritters nor Nasi Lemak.
The activities of these street vendors represent the bustling life within the city; its disappearance would lead to a gloomy and despondent setting. Research done has managed to show that the street retail micro architecture need only be improved instead of eradicated. A more meticulous and universal set of planning guidelines, rules and regulations should also be drafted for these street vendors such that it may cater to the needs of the local culture without eroding it.
What its contribution towards nation and people?
The planning proposal may help the stakeholders including local authorities, town planners, architects, designers, users and local inhabitants in developing a great street towards the sustainability of the city.
That is the overall idea of my research. What do you think? If you have anything to say or opinion regarding this matters, just speak your mind, you are welcome to do so. I still have a lot to learn.
Thanks. ^____^
