Royal Town of Kuala Kangsar, Perak

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EXPLORING THE ROYAL TOWN

FIgure 5.4.10: Perimeter section of Istana Iskandariah
Source: Author

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5.5 JALAN KANGSAR

After the junction to Jalan Istana, next
to it is Jalan Kangsar. Jalan Kangsar is known
as a commercial district because it serves the
community in so many ways in term of local
eateries, medicinal stores and groceries. It is always
packed with vehicles and pedestrians, thus it is one
of the main roads with a higher visitor intensity.
Along this road you will find some of the
local attraction spots as well as for the tourists.
All of these trading activities are hosted within
the colonial shop houses found along the street
and at the end of the road is a roundabout with
a big Labu Sayong sculpture which leads to
Persiaran Bendahara and then to Jalan Taiping.

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Entering Jalan Kangsar, there are two
prominent hardscape that integrated with the
softscape, called Dataran Putra. This small pocket
space can be described as a leisure amphitheatre
for the citizens that provide ‘breathing space’
for them. The compound are physically
equipped with trash bin and public furniture

Dataran Putra has a sufficient softscape in Image 5.5.0 The scenery at Dataran Putra near Jalan Kangsar. The Image 5.5.1.The biggest mall in Kuala Kangsar, The Store. The local
term of planted plants and creeper that enclose the fountain is giving the sense of welcoming at that area. usually get their daily needs here.
space while maintaining the air quality around the Source: Author Source: Author
town. Located near Dataran Kangsar, is the riverbank
of Sungai Kangsar. This area has proven to be a
succesful natural softscape that celebrates healthy
human interaction due to the serene environment
provided by both the river and the lush greens.

Despite having the most human
intensification due to its commercial area, a proper
hardscape and softscape are hard to be found
properly. For such, proper pedestrian pathway are
none and the front facade of shophouses lots are
filled with parking compound. This issue is somehow
bothers in all different level of comfortness.

Nevertheless, architecturally the colonial Image 5.5.2. The unique and original shophouse facade of Pau Yat Lai Image 5.5.3 The modern shophouse style. Before the place was the old
shophouses are designed in such a way that suited the restaurant. You can get the best pau here. bus terminaL
tropical climate in Kuala Kangsar. Five-foot ways are Source: Author
provided in front of each of the shophouses to ease Source: Author
the access for the pedestrians, while the extended first
floor providing a shelter from scorching sun and rain.

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EXPLORING THE ROYAL TOWN

5.6 JALAN ABDUL RAZAK

Jalan Tun Razak is a district that contains variety The human activities can be found as you go in
of human activities. Also, due to its function front of the Masjid Ridzwaniah . There are food
as a shortcuts , people from Jalan Taiping tend stalls in front of the mosque and it acts as attraction
to use this road to avoid congestion at the mostly for pedestrians to go there. Also, the
primary road, which is Jalan Raja Chulan. walkway are commonly used by the people who are
Eventhough the place has been commercialized, working at administrative office . There are sufficient
the district contains greater intensity of landscape along the road and big trees covered the
greeneries compared to the Jalan Daeng Selili. walkway, thus give comfortness for the pedestrians.

Figure 5.6.0.:Section of Jalan Raja Idris. Refer to the line section in

Diagram 5.6.2
Source : Author

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Figure 5.6.1.: Local spots along Jalan abdul Razak
Source : Author

Diagram 5.6.2.:Map of Jalan Abdul Razak (formerly
known as Jalan Raja Idris)
Source : Author

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862 THE ROYAL TOWN OF KUALA KANGSAR: UNVEILING ITS CHARMS
EXPLORING THE ROYAL TOWN

5.7 JALAN SHAHBANDAR

JALAN SHAHBANDAR

Diagram 5.7.0. Map of Jalan Shahbandar
Source : Author

Source : Author Source : Author Source : Author

THE ROYAL TOWN OF KUALA KANGSAR: UNVEILING ITS CHARMS 863
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From jalan taiping, the second exit at the clock Dataran Vespa and Medan is located at the side of The Kuala Kangsar Recreational Park can be
tower will lead to jalan syahbandar. This road is this road. People usually gather at Dataran Vespa accessed from Jalan Shahbandar through a bridge
located just beside the Sungai Kangsar that mainly to eat and relax as the place is shaded with suspended across the Sungai Kangsar.
branches out from Sungai Perak. Sungai Kang- trees. there is also a food truck that will park here
sar act as an edge which splits the place and open up a small temporary stall every evening.
into two parts, commercial and recreational. Dataran Vespa consist of mainly hardscape which
spreads to medan and Persiaran Sungai.

Figure 5.7.1.: Section of Jalan Shahbandar
Source : Archistic Personal Collection (Author)

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5.8 JALAN TEMENGGONG

Figure 5.8.0.: Map to Jalan Temenggong

THE ROYAL TOWN OF KUALA KANGSAR: UNVEILING ITS CHARMS 865
EXPLORING THE ROYAL TOWN

Jalan Temenggong is a road that branches out from The human activities that happen around this road This road passes through Jalan Nakhoda where
Jalan Daeng Selili and leads the user to Persiaran is very high as the road is squeezed by shophouses there is a lot of hawkers at the side of the road. at
Sungai. This road also intersect with two other roads at the side. Every weekend, the morning market will jalan nakhoda, the walkway provided in front of the
which is Jalan Temenggung Wan Hassan and Jalan be held along this road and spreads throughout jalan shop is larger compared to other street. informal
Nakhoda. wan temenggong hassan and Jalan stalls are usually opened at that areav
Dato Maharajalela.

Image 5.8.1.:weekend market
Source : Author

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5.9 OPEN SPACE

Diagram 5.9.0. Figurative map of open spaces in Kuala Kangsar
Source: Author

THE ROYAL TOWN OF KUALA KANGSAR: UNVEILING ITS CHARMS 867
EXPLORING THE ROYAL TOWN

5.9.1 POCKET SPACE Image 5.9.1.0. Healthy activity asscociated with natural
landscape
There are a large number of public spaces,
roads and laneways throughout the town centre Source: Author
that are quiet, neglected or under used. These spaces
can be unpleasant places to use, form barriers to
accessing the town centre and at times present real
or perceived safety concerns.
Some spaces are being treated as more
comfortable than the others and it shows some
permanents dwellers at times. These spaces are
known as a pocket space. This space is different from
any other public spaces. It offers more casuality and
intimacy to the surroundings. Usually these areas
are less built. However, it shows some potential
settings for urbanisation.
River banks near Kangsar River are seen
as one of the pocket space in the town. Some
students from local college use this space for daily
recreational activities. The prominent shrubs and
greeneries sets a different mode compare to other
public spaces. The texture of the grass and the
lush natural softscape promotes a healthy social
activities.

Figure 5.9.1.1. Arrangement of potted plants in Image 5.9.1.2. One of the pocket space that provide
Jalan Kangsar walkability in Jalan Kangsar
Source: Author Source: Author

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868 THE ROYAL TOWN OF KUALA KANGSAR: UNVEILING ITS CHARMS Figure 5.9.2.1.: Recreational Park in A public space is a social space that is
EXPLORING THE ROYAL TOWN Laman Budaya generally open and accessible to people. Roads
(including the pavement), public squares, parks
5.9.2 POCKET SPACE Figure 5.9.2.3.:Persiaran Sungai and beaches are typically considered public space.
overlooking Perak River Public space has also become something
Figure 5.9.2.0.: Front pavement of of a touchstone for critical theory in relation to
Gallery of Sultan Azlan Shah philosophy, (urban) geography, visual art, cultural
studies, social studies and urban design. The term
Figure 5.9.2.2.: Night scene of Ubudiah ‘public space’ is also often misconstrued to mean
mosque other things such as ‘gathering place’, which is an
element of the larger concept of social space.
kuala Kangsar offers quite numbers of
public space that stands out as a leisure area and
tourists spots. Both spaces serves greatly to the local
community as they promotes social interaction.
For locals, such place like Laman Budaya
and Persiaran Sungai is an opportunity areas to
engage more with the local community. These
spaces is enhanced with weekly organized activities
such as local bazaar and group exercise.
On the negative side, such public space at
Ubudiah mosque compound, the night scene is not
favourable for any social interaction. Despite being
known as the tourists attraction in Kuala Kangsar, it
is closed to public early at night.

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5.9.3 PRIVATE SPACE

Figure 5.9.3.0.Sport Field of MCKK Figure 5.9.3.1. Sport field of SMK Raja Perempuan Kalsom Huge field in front of the Malay College Boy
Source: Author Source: Author School of Kuala Kangsar was meant personally for
the school, so as the sloping down field in front of
Personal or private space is known where the Raja Perempuan Kelsom High School in Jalan
certain area is located within a specific perimeter of Istana.
compound. When a space is located near influencial The field is only giving you the view and
entity and surrounded by certain boudaries, the experiences of seeing the greeneries but there
psychologically the space is regard as theirs. Some is no entrance that allows the permeability into
restrictions are reserved. Though this space visually the field.
creates a permeability, number of dwellers at times
are controlled.



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5.10 PARKING ACROSS THE TOWN

Diagram 5.10.0.: Map of parking area in Kuala Kangsar
Source: Author

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Figure 5.10.1.: Parking boxes besides Parking lot are allocated mostly in the most
the shophouses in Jalan SyahBandar commercialized area in Kuala Kangsar. The parking
boxes sprouting along the front and sides facade of
Figure 5.10.2.: Parking signs near the the shophouses. The facilities are arranged in a 45o
shophouses angle of parking as it ease the movement of the car
along the commercial area.

The parking system is laidback as one can
easily parks their vehicles at any provided parking
box.
The system of parking sometimes are
determined by the weekly human activities whereby
during the weekends, weekend market takes place.
This situation change the pattern of parking where
the vehiculars originating from Ipoh and Sayong
can only access into Persiaran Sungai through Jalan
Laksamana and the only way out is through Jalan
Syahbandar as Jalan Temenggung is congested by
the weekend market.
Generally, this town is friendly-user for
parking facilities as it is not only served for cars
and motorcycles but it takes the consideration
of bycicle user among the locals. Zebra crossing
are provided sufficiently from the parking to the
nearest pedestrian walkway.

Figure 5.10.3.: Zebra crossing are
allocated next to the parking lot

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PARKING ACROSS THE TOWN

Hardscape has promoted some additional
function towards the parking zone in Pesiaran
Sungai. Small vehiculars such as motorcycles and
bicycles are allowed to be park on the patterned-
block pavement along Persiaran Sungai. This is one
of the alternative allowed by the local government
to solve the issue of vehiculars congestion. This is a
sample of robustness of the built hardscape along
the riverbank.

Image 5.10.4.: Communal parking for public alon Persiaran for certain tourists’ spot - Ubudiah mosque
Sungai Perak and Gallery of Sultan Azlan Shah,a larger scale of
parking perimeter for buses are equally provide as
Source: Author long as the small vehiculars transportation.

Image 5.10.5. :Parking in front of Masjid Ubudiah
Source: Author

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5.11 SEATING IN THE TOWN Figure 5.11.0. Covered seating (gazebo) Figure 5.11.1. Free standing seating

Diagram 5.11.2. Map of resting places in Kuala Kangsar
Source: Author

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874 THE ROYAL TOWN OF KUALA KANGSAR: UNVEILING ITS CHARMS
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PARKING ACROSS THE TOWN

Figure 5.11.3. A gazebo lacatedin the axis of the jetty Figure 5.11.4. An elevated gazebolocated at Figure 5.11.7. Pedesterians sitting aroung the
and Perak River therecreatonal district hardscape of Dataran Putra
Source: Author
Source: Author Source: Author
Figure 5.11.6. Concrete benches around the rubber tree
Figure 5.11.5. A concrete bench located along that was donated by Rotary Club Kuala Kangsar Seating spot in the town of Kuala Kangsar
the promenade of Perak River Source: Author can be found mostly at the North-East of the
Source: Author town, as the location is nearer to the tourists and
recreational spots. As permeability increased, the
mode of walking for pedestrians is higher. Thus,
all these temporary resting area is condusive.
These seating area patterns ranges from
every spots. Free standing seats are provided
mostly along the pedestrian walkway. This type
of seats are meant to be a temporary resting place
for pedestrians judging from the direct position
with the vehicular roads. Meanwhile, the covered
seating spots (gazebo) which are more leisure
and laidback are provided numerously in a well-
designed landscape and overlooking certain
panoramic view.

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5.12 SWOT ANALYSIS

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CONCLUSION

After the urban study visit to Kuala Kangsar, the students of Studio 3 have learnt a lot which includes a deeper and richer understanding of the urban ele-
ments in Kuala Kangsar. To break it into chapters, from the study of the morphological changes in Kuala Kangsar, it was found that the land use in Kuala
Kangsar increases by time. After certain buildings were built, there were not much changes in terms of land use in Kuala Kangsar town. Commercial areas
such as the shop houses remained in the lots that were alienated from 100 years ago. Combination of commercial and education districts along Jalan Kang-
sar helped improved the economic in that area. The clock tower itself is known as the zero point to the people. The roads which meet at the clock tower are
the axis that leads people towards the other towns. The buildings are arranged in the way they are parallel with the river. The shop houses near Lembah are
arranged in a orderly and grid pattern while the buildings of other functions are more loosely and irregularly arranged around the commercial zone.
The legibility of Kuala Kangsar town, as a whole, is very well defined. It is well defined according to the 5 main elements of legibility suggested by Kevin
Lynch in his book, Image of the City, which are, i) path, ii) edge, iii) district, iv) nodes and v) landmark. The elements of legibility are vital to build a small,
individual mental map in a person’s mind to move from a point to another in a town. These key elements help people to move about the small town of
Kuala Kangsar. In conclusion, the legibility of Kuala Kangsar town, as a whole is successful in serving the purpose. Even though there are few elements that
need further enhancements to improve the legibility of Kuala Kangsar, the existing elements and facilities already help the town to develop successfully
both economically and leisure.
The people of Kuala Kangsar have high hopes that the government will continue this effort of conserving the town. However, they could not do it them-
selves due to insufficient funding. Hence, it is recommended to work with government and private sectors to continue the preservation of old buildings.

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Conservation works are also very much needed for old buildings that are slowly chipping away. New materials and reinforcements could be added to sustain
the building, and keep the building in check. Shophouses could be transformed and refurbished to become chic cafes for the people to sit and chill and enjoy
themselves, or reused to become hotels for tourists, like how our tourism industry had initiated the conversion and conservation of olden colonial villas into
retreats and hotels. People would start to gain knowledge of the old buildings in this way, learn to appreciate the intricate details and the architecture of the
spaces inside, and perceptions of the old would change.
Clock tower is a zero point and also well known as a reference point for the local and tourist to get their way to reach their particular destination. It helps to
lead them to the direction which they wish to go to. Thus, this clock tower has played an important role in guiding people direction. With the help of signage
throughout the town, it makes Kuala Kangsar permeable to every part of the town. Outsiders are easily directed to their destination by main roads, secondary
roads, and also the back alleys. Moreover, the back alleys that existed in this town have different character to be compared to other places.
Throughout the study of streetscape and landscape, thsis sub-topic has its own wide clarification of the street elements in Kuala Kangsar. The town is simply
unique with its own street amenities that described the intention of the royal town. The royal detailing is numerously found along the streets and roads. Not
forgetting, the government has played an important role in keeping the identity of the town remains unchanged. This can be seen by the same colours coordi-
nate which is significance to the state of Perak itself. The town has evolved during the British colonization therefore, the whole town settings can be refer as the
same as the european town layout, which there are certain landmarks, public spaces and zero point where the collision of citizens occurs most of the time.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Ahmad Khairul Zameer Bin Abdullah Zhidi Michelle Lum Zhi Ying Nur Amira Binti Arnawarnu
Ahnaf Samsury Mohamad Khairulnizam Bin Mahyudin Nur Iman Nedhiera Binti Hashim
Amirul Hakeem Bin Alias Mohamad Salim Binti Bin Mohamad Apandi Nurul Husna Binti Rosli
Arifah Nur Binti Ariffin Mohd Raffiq Aiman Bin Mohd Rofi Ong Shian Jia
Asma Athirah Binti Daud Muhammad Al Amin Bin Mohd Zafi Pritika Bai A/P Puranath Rao
Chee Pei Qi Muhammad Aniq Aimyr Bin Roslan Sim Li Wei
Cheryl Yew Shyh-Qi Muhammad Faris Bin Sehebudin Tan Aik Peng
Chew Shi Ying Muhammad Iqram Bin Sazali Tan Jia Wen
Dhaniah Binti Abdul Samad Muhammad Syuqi Fauzan Bin Mohd Fauzi Wan Putri Syazana Binti Roslan
Farrah Binti Shuhami Sham Ng Jie Wei Yasmin Naziha Binti Hazizulden
Fatin Farah Nabilah Binti Ismail Norliza Binti Razali Zulhilmi Bin Fauzan
Hoo Zun Chau Nuha Naziha Binti Yahya Zhan Qianying
Lukas Freitag Nur Amierah Syuhada Binti Ahmad Husni

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