Mapping the street: Reading Asian cities

Abstract

This paper documents the outcome of a student field trip focussing on a mapping exercise which requires students to select a suitable methodology to document and 'map' four streets in an unfamiliar context. The sites of the study are located in West Malaysia, a rapidly urbanising country in South-east Asia. No prior methodology has been suggested to the students as the task is to find ways in which best to understand and best to graphically represent the environments under study. Their findings are analysed based on studies on urban structuring by Rapport and Lynch. The experiments are conducted by recent students of architecture, still not conversant in urban studies methodologies but competent in graphic and visual communication skills with which to communicate their findings. The findings of the study are categorised and documented to help to build up a framework for reading such urban context. It is the intention that the exercise would serve to suggest ways in which to approach further the study and understanding of the modern Asian city.