Theory of Architecture and Urbanism (ARC2224) (ARC61303)

Teo Kean Hui 0310165

In Leon’s theory, so called the modern “urban city” has lost its essence as the

buildings are repetitive and hard to recognize. Private realm is overwhelming public

realm in terms of scale, UOB building in Bangsar completely overtook the area as it

is much more higher than the building surrounding including for the condominium

nearby. There aren’t any symbolism, iconic building which make it difficult to identify

the location of Town Centre when it looks just like a big warehouse. Like what

happened in there is actually the public building such as the school are covered by

high rise private properties that make it difficult for outsiders to discover public

buildings. Besides that, modernism architecture like sky-scrappers are the fail

experiment of building typology that depends hugely on fossil fuel and has no way to

sustain itself.

Loads of social issue existed due to vertical sprawl and overdeveloped cities but

most architect chose to ignore it. Issues are not published and are often banned from

media because of the economic success these tall buildings have brought which also

leads to over development due to poor town planning and further on causing traffic

congestion, air pollution, slums and so on. There are difficulties in searching for

parking space there, LRT station nearby is actually inviting people to park at that

area to enjoy the LRT service. Modernism will die out in the next few decade while

traditional architecture will last for centuries as proved in the history. An ideal and

sustainable city should be the equal combination of classical and vernacular

architecture. Most building in Bangsar are operate using energy except for some of

the shophouses can still able to sustain on its own even without energy. It should be

not more than 80 acres where school, offices, shops and spiritual place could be

located and are all within walking distance. In Bangsar, resident will have trouble to

travel from place to place as most of the building stated are not in walking distance.

So, buildings areas location should not be sort out but to mix and remain every

building within walking distance to ease the community. There should not be building

height limit but number of floors should not be more than 5 storeys for example the

Paris tower which only has 3 storeys despite its height. In Bangsar, the building

arrangement are from higher building such as the private sky-scrappers gradually to

lower building such as from school to residential. If changes to be made, many

building will need be chopped of and standardise between 3-5 storeys as there are

buildings that extremely exceed the height limitation.