Kuching - an urban portrait

2011-12-13T01:32:00.001-08:00

"I do not think the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildingsof concrete are, but rather how well its people have learned to relateto their environment and fellow human." ~Sun Bear (Chippewa Tribe)

Thoughtlessness & Erasing Memory

2008-11-28T05:44:00.000-08:00

Two common mistakes that cities make are outlined in The Creative City - The Toolkit for Urban Innovators by Landry, Charles as follow:

[1] Lack of Effort and Thoughtlessness

Out of town shopping centres are usually formulaic, lack local distinctiveness, have no real public space. They rarely retain natural features; the mix of shops is predictable; opportunities are rarely taken to integrate public buildings such as an arts centre or a library.

Distinctiveness is key, for although cities draw from each others' experiences the danger is that pioneering cities around the world quickly become textbook case studies for city officials. Cities then tend to adopt generic models of success without taking into account the local characteristic and conditions that contributed to those successes. The result is a homogeneous pastiche of buildings - aquariums, convention centres, museums, shops and restaurants - that prove to be remarkably similar the world over.

[2] Erasing Memory
We continue to erase memory - a partiular pointless form of urban vandalism. Memory is undervalued though it helps the anchoring process, it can be tapped as a creative resource, it triggers ideas, it helps make connection. Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, among many examples, realised at the last moment, probably too late, that they had erased practically every historic quarter from sight even as they created fake versions of their past in urban fun parks. In Berlin there are few surviving remnants of the Wall, and though locals may have wanted to forget, other solutions could have been found rather than the 'cancelling strategy' whose over-riding theme was the erasure of any memory of the GDR.

Cities, Architecture and Society : Interview with Massimiliano Fuksas

2008-11-28T04:34:00.000-08:00

When I think about the relationship between city and architecture, I think of democracy. Architecture can be the representation of a community. We can grasp this concept when there is an absence. When the Buddhas in Afghanistan or the Twin Towers in New York were destroyed, or the Golden Dome of Samarra in Iraq disappeared, or the synagogue in Dresden was destroyed by Nazis, there was a feeling of absence, of lack, of vacuum. Such events, after which architecture no longer exists, help us better understand its importance. Even when they are ugly, don't function or are aesthetically horrible, buildings are the representation of society.

Architecture can - or rather must - have an effect on society. Because what we architects do is try to build a set in which people are the actors. Architecture cannot be independent of people, because if we imagine a city without people, or people without architecture, there is an evident absence. Human beings are obliged to live together with their architecture. s0 we design a set in which the actors perform, and if this set does not allow their entrances and exits, or the culmination of the action, everything collapses.

If you say to an inhabitant of Paris's banlieue that the buildings should be demolished because they are ugly, he will respond that, yes, they are ugly, but he doesn't want another typology. And you think: 'How come, they're ugly, you live badly, you've burnt the stairs, the lifts don't work, the landings are a disaster, why do you want them?' And he replies: 'Because we were born here'. He has performed his human comedy in the set that was offered him, even if in the worst possible place. There is a challenge of sensitivity here, because you know you have to destroy this set so as not to perpetuate these places of desperation, but at the same time you have to find a way to enable the transition, There is no building that can be annulled in an instant.

When I do a project I speak of 'geography' and not of landscape. There are three components in geography, but we architects usually tend to ignore at least two of them. The first component is the landscape, then there is the economy and the third is the human being. These three things are essential for proceeding toward a better understanding of what we are doing. So geography has taken on a fundamental importance. I started talking about geography 20-odd years ago without knowing what the outcomes would be. The architect is never a theorist, but rather someone who has an idea, forgets it the next day and does something else, I used 'geography' because it was more useful to me, in that I substituted it for 'morphology'. Rather than making a territorial, topological, topographical analysis of places, I used a concept, geography, which yielded greater complexity.

I also think it is necessary to talk of 'context'. There are extreme positions, the mythomaniacs of context or those who hate it. I'm not for 'fuck the context' or 'context is best'. I'm for the idea that context exists.

Another word I use a lot along with geography is 'horizon': you move the horizon, raise it, lower it, then turn it around. It's like cinema, Rossellini used to say: 'I'm never behind the camera, only in front'; he never looked through the viewfinder. Technique is useful until you understand it, after that you no longer use it.

Bruno Zevi told me that it was not enough to be a great architect. There is something more: to be a good architect, with interest in the greater complexity of society. I think the architect ought to resume the role of connecting those parts of society that are no longer together. We ought not to dream up visions of a future world [though no one forbids it], but rather begin to revisit the initial problem: how can the architect help many different people live together without killing one another, without insulting one another, with respect and resources for all? Of course one can't resolve everything alone, but we have to start becoming part of that process. The architect should be like Brunelleschi, who was greeted when he walked around Florence; like Masaccio, like Tintoretto, who were part of a community. As a profession, we have to go back to being part of a community.

Massimiliano Fuksas was speaking with Richard Burdett

Article taken from Cities, Architecture and Society: 10th International Architecture Exhibition - Venice Biennale 2006, Volume 1

The soft edge

2008-11-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

Soft edge is defined as strips of waterfront land occupied by bushes consist of trees and thick understorey. The area can be either untouched natural forest or disturbed landscape (replanted backyard area of village houses or naturally regrown, occasionally with weeds). In Kuching's context, it is part natural landscape, part cultural landscape. Seen from the river it is a beautiful landscape. From the land, villagers can get glimpses of the modern city along the opposite bank through framed views.

This strip of meandering landscape, visible from the urban area of the southern side it seems like a thick bold line drawn between the water and the land. It is a beautiful gesture that forms the most beautiful natural setting Kuching city possess for centuries, while on the south bank the city developed and urbanised over the last hundred years.

See how this beautiful landscape of Kuching being captured by photographers:

Kuching, Sarawak (Borneo), East Malaysia - Kuching Waterfront Pier ~ Sunset
Originally uploaded by YYZDez

Sunny Day At Sarawak River
Originally uploaded by thienzieyung

Once Upon A Time In Kuching
Originally uploaded by onggon ~ im back

Perahu Tambang
Originally uploaded by Roslan Tangah (aka Rasso)

Aerial map below shows the existing soft edge along the Sarawak River. You can see the soft edge along the northern bank is almost unbroken continuously running as far as your eyes can see, perhaps the full length of the river from the river mouth to the upper tributaries where the jungles and mountains are. At the city the line is only punctuated at jetties and most obvious at the Astana where the clearing allows un-disrupt views from the Governor's residence

Over the last few years there are changes along the edge opposite the city centre. I noticed the first change during my last visit in 2006 and it was recorded as the following shot. On the map the effected areas are marked in blue lines.

Published at around same time, the Sarawak Sketch also documented the changes. As below

Sarawak sketchbook, Illustrations by A. Kasim Abas ; text by Peter Kedit

"The north bank of Kuching in the late 19th Century. Malay villages surrounded by orchards and small gardens nestled under the shelter of the fort. One hundred years later, some of the idyllic village scenes have made way for riverside improvements. The administrative buildings of Sarawak now dominate the skyline. One thing, however, has not changed : the 'sampan' of ferries, still carry much of the cross-river traffic."

The lines marked as red on the map below indicate the most important stretch of the soft edge that contributes to the unique image of the city but it is in danger of being vanished forever. The line marked as purple shown the fast disappearing section of soft edge due to the development of the State Assembly Building. See related post and link of the developments. See pics below for the extent of clearing at the moment:

Dark Force Approaching
Originally uploaded by Jieja

Sarawak Reggata 2008 #03
Originally uploaded by Roslan Tangah (aka Rasso)

I must stress that the soft edge is an important asset to Kuching and any city and town dotted in Borneo island as well as South East Asia. It truly represents the unique image of this region.

However, the actual condition of the soft edge may not be in line with the picturesque quality seen from the river, it shouldn't be perceived as a bad unwanted place - just a stretch of unused land along the river edge infested with weeds, or in the poor state of maintenance or cleanliness; or even dumping ground for garbage.

There isn't any field study of the soft edge. It is hope that this post will stimulate interest to specialist groups such as ecologists and environmental planners.

In the developed and fast developing cities around the world, most of the waterfront edge along the urban area has been concreted or rebuilt into marina hence destroying the character of the city. The homogeneity of cities is a common mistake Kuching city must avoid. Read related news article 'Cement wall destroying Spain's coast' posted on November 25, 2008

City Precincts

2008-11-25T15:08:00.000-08:00

[1] Kuching mosque - Masjid Negeri [Photo 1]
[2] Historic Brooke dockyard [Photo 1] [Photo 2] [Photo 3]
[3] Hawker food centres
[4] Old Ceko markets (closed June 2008 for future development. Heritage at risk)
[5] Indian Street old quarter [Photo 1]
[6] Old Courthouse (1874)
[7] Plaza Merdaka shopping mall development [Website] (to replace heritage items - One row of old shophouses, hundred years old feature tree planting* and 1950s architecture*) *require further information
[8] Padang Merdeka
[9] Chinatown old quarter [Photo 1] [Photo 2]
[10] Kuching Waterfront (built on 1989, former shipyards site)
[11] Sarawak oldest Chinese temple Tua Pek Kong (built 1876)
[12] Kuching's central business district [Photo 1]
[13] Sarawak River [Photo 1]
[14] Villages
[15] Fort Margherita (1879) [Photo 1]
[16] Existing soft edge (threaten by future development)
[17] State Assembly Building (under construction)
[18] Astana (Governor's residence)
[19] Villages
[20] Existing soft edge

See related post- Kuching on Google Map

A growing concern and a growing trend

2008-11-23T16:23:00.000-08:00

This post pulls together all the article links associated to the issues around the prospect of the traditional markets in the midst of changing consumer habit.

P.S. This post is live with new links to be added at any time. Please do bookmark so you'll be updated to this expending list.

A Growing Concern

A Growing Trend

These are few emerging trends started to pick up pace at some countries such as Australia. Therefore, I see these are the positive signs to help revert to the things which are more important to the society:

In the wake of unhealthy processed food products; misleading dietary and manufacturing information of packaged food. People are more relying on fresh produces.
In the wake of pressing environmental issues, people are increasingly aware of how foods and products are being grown, packaged and transported.
A greater awareness of the social and environmental problems associated with 'food miles'. Therefore, people are likely to source foods from the closest farmers.
Slow Food movement. Originated from Italy, this movement is attracting interest globally. People are starting to understand the benefit to live more responsibly to the local industries & businesses, environments and communities.
Increase travel. Cheaper travel brings people to overseas more often therefore travelers are expanding their knowledge of other cultures. People bring back better ideas.

Links:
Urban Ecology Australia : Farmers' Markets

Old Markets are tourist attraction - The List

2008-11-19T16:29:00.000-08:00

Old markets have become one of the attraction for independent travellers and self-guided holiday-makers. Old markets in the city are seen as a first place of cultural contact for foreign visitors therefore an very important asset a city must preserve and protect from negative impact of modernisation in order to be continuously benefited from tourism. These are some of the information taken from guide books (Lonely Planet and Rough Guide) as well as travel magazines.

P.S. This post is live with new examples to be added at any time. Please do bookmark so you'll be updated to this expending list.

Bazaar Baru Market (Kuala Lumpur)
This lively market sells clothes, toys, buckets, stationery, noodles, spices, fresh meat and live, flapping catfish, as well as a staggering array of weird and wonderful tropical fruit. Overweight cats loiter around the wet market looking for scraps, and locals struggle through the narrow aisles with huge bags of shopping. Just wondering round is a heady, sensory experience, particularly for the sense of smell. (Lonely Planet)

Pudu Market (Kuala Lumpur)
Pudu Market is KL's biggest wet and dry market. It's a frenetic place, full of squawking chickens, frantic shoppers and porters forcing their way through the crowds with outrageous loads.....Arrive early in the morning to experience the market at its most lively and pungent. You can recover the sensory overload at the attached hawker court. (Lonely Planet)

Queen Victoria Market (Melbourne)
Opened in the 1870s, Queen Victoria Market remains one of the best loved of Melbourne's institutions. Its collection of huge, decorative open-sided sheds and high-roofed halls is fronted along Victoria Street by restored shops, their original awnings held up with decorative iron posts. Although undeniably quaint and tourist-friendly, the market is a boisterous, down-to-earth affair where you can buy practically anything from new and secondhand clothes to fresh fish at bargain prices. Stallholders and shoppers seem just as diverse as the goods on offer: Vietnamese, Italian and Greek greengrocers pile their colourful produce high and vie for your attention, while the huge variety of deliciously smelly cheeses effortlessly draws customers to the old-fashioned deli hall. (Rough Guides)

The way we live

2008-11-17T04:26:00.000-08:00

Excerpts and scanned pages taken from The Way We Live by Cliff, Stafford & Chabaneix, Gilles de. [2003]

THE MARKET-PLACE
The fresh food market is the first step in the distribution of foodstuffs from kitchen garden, from farm and plantation, from field and orchard, from river and sea. Leaving aside the supply chains to supermarket and processed food plant, the market appeals to that deep human wish to acquire raw food in as fresh a condition as possible. And nowhere is this more true than in the fish and seafood stalls the world over.

Most markets impress by their colours and the simplicity of their presentation. In fish markets, especially those on the quayside illuminated by the intense light off the sea, the brilliance of the hues and the boldness of pattern make for delicious visual preliminaries to the pleasures of cooking and consumption. Pinks and reds combine with silvers to gleam and glow with phosphorescence in the fresh rays of a coastal dawn - here, in Tangier. And all the colours of the ocean rainbow hang in a quayside fishmonger's in Valparaiso, Chile.

A market is a place of abundance and of richness of display: colours bright and fresh, whether arranged singly or in pyramids. Thank goodness, what is on sale varies from place to place, country to country, but we recognize the authentic market the world over by its evocation of 'plenty', by the display of tomatoes, peppers, courgettes and aubergines in any Mediterranean town, or by the towering arrangements of guavas, papayas, pineapples and breadfruit in the tropics. The breadfruit - proudly displayed by a Balinese chef (pic can be found from the book 'The Way We Live') - is native to the Pacific Islands. In 1793 it was introduced to Jamaica by Captain Bligh of Bounty fame in the belief that it could become the staple food of the slave population. The scheme was not a great success, but Jamaica does remain a major producer.

The imagery of the market-stall, whether a boat in Bangkok or a food counter in Burundi, is among the most potent in our appreciation of the good things of life and as close as many people get to the wider natural world. The imagery is rich in colour, texture, form and pattern, brought to life by the presence of people, often producers, in the processes of exchange. This is a world of buyers and sellers meeting with immediacy impossible in more rigidly formal environments (pic can be found from the book 'The Way We Live'). Sometimes the two parties come together in unplanned, spontaneous ways; this roadside market in Burundi developed as an almost impromptu happening (pic can be found from the book 'The Way We Live'). One man's meagre display is another's cornucopia; but however rich or spare the presentation, there is always the prospect - warm and reassuring - of acquisition and eventual consumption.

Whether a neighbourhood market in Paris, Rome or London or a village or country-town market in Morocco or Mauritius, the gathering together of people and produce is a real point of focus for a community, and any visitor. It is an opportunity for the exchange of views and gossip; and the feel-good fallout from the presence of so many good things is incalculable (pic can be found from the book 'The Way We Live'). Elizabeth David, surely the greatest English writer on food matters, found a unique joy in the sheer volume and variety on display in a good market: tomatoes, courgettes, peppers, melons, asparagus, strawberries, redcurrants, cherries, apricots, peaches, pears and plums. Her remarks were largely confined to descriptions of the markets of Provence and Italy, but her enthusiasm powerfully evoked the feelings aroused by food markets throughout the world.

The sights and smells of the old markets

2008-11-16T22:57:00.000-08:00

Explorers, traders, writers, poets, historians, botanists, sailors from the past centuries to modern time travellers, backpackers, film makers, photographers, journalists, writers, artists have been recognising old markets as one of the memorable and beautiful sights encountered. From Rialto market of Venice to old market at Cusco, below are two of the excepts found from travellers' literature.

INDIAN MARKET
I STEPPED OFF THE BUS IN THE MORNING AT HAMPI Bazaar, a place so bewilderingly strange to Western eyes that I could hardly believe I was seeing it. There was a double row of broken columns, the equivalent of several blocks long. Though now roofless, you'd call it an arcade if you saw it in Italy or at a Californian mission. The columns were huge. They stood maybe as much as five or six feet apart, and, in places, two or three ancient steps still led up to a floor paved with granite slabs, straw, merchandise, and people. It was such a jumble that it took me a few minutes of taking a step and staring, taking another step and staring, to realize that these were people's homes and people's stores. The merchandise-sandals here and pots there, basins, soap, cups, mats, cosmetics, food, fabrics, saris, a thousand items-formed the walls between the columns. Often the merchandise also formed a barrier between the front and back of the stalls. There may have been two families to a stall. Maybe more. There were multitudes crowded between the huge broken columns, sitting about in the streets, walking up and down, staring at the occasional foreigner, no doubt hoping they would buy something; but mosdy the vast milling crowd was just living, friendly, curious, and welcoming.
-JAN HAAG, "'A VISION OF VIJAYANAGAR," Travelers' Tales India

A FRENCH MARKET
I HAVE NEVER FOUND A MORE PLEASANT WAY TO GO shopping than to spend two or three hours in a Provencal market. The color, the abundance, the noise, the sometimes eccentric stall-holders, the mingling of smells, the offer of a sliver of cheese here and a mouthful of toast and tapenade there-all these help to turn what began as an errand into a morning's entertainment. An addict could visit a different market every day for several weeks..
-PETER MAYLE, Encore Provence

Old Ceko Market (after)

2008-10-10T04:52:00.001-07:00

On 15 June 2008, Kuching Ceko market in the heart of the city was shut down for future developments. Hawkers were all relocated to a newly built facility - Stutong market on the outskirt of the city.

The demolition date is still unknown. There is rumours that the hotel-shopping centre development might be aborted and a new scheme might be to extend the waterfront promenade. Whatever development might occur there, the most important heritage of Kuching will be lost forever. Adjacent businesses that closely associated with the markets are considerably affected as well as the livelihood of locals from nearby villages.

See link Kuching Sanctuary Hotel and Mall Kuching development

The market is currently devoid of life like a ghost town. The online article titled 'The last day of Ceko Market' recorded the account of incident around the time before and after the closure of the market. Recommended Read !

See link Old Ceko Market (before)

Below are some of the photos found at Flickr:

kuching city
Originally uploaded by ammirul7277

Garment Store Bazaar - 1929
Originally uploaded by framptop

Forceful notice
Originally uploaded by szejia

History
Originally uploaded by Michael Loke

Time Passing By
Originally uploaded by framptop

Kuching
Originally uploaded by Jason Ambarita

Old Kuching Wetmarket in HDR
Originally uploaded by sayap+dewa

Old Kuching Wetmarket in HDR
Originally uploaded by sayap+dewa

Old Kuching Wetmarket in HDR
Originally uploaded by sayap+dewa

Left behind all the memories
Originally uploaded by framptop

Nobody here
Originally uploaded by framptop

hdr-pasar ikan ceko/fish market(in memory)
Originally uploaded by eshump-moo-dane

It All Begin Here
Originally uploaded by framptop

Old Ceko Market (before)

2008-10-01T06:48:00.000-07:00

Kuching waterfront from Sarawak River cruise
Originally uploaded by John Steedman

overlooking kuching ol wet market
Originally uploaded by uuuuuuU

Kuching Fish Market from Sarawak River cruise
Originally uploaded by John Steedman

Sarawak River, Kuching, Sarawak
Originally uploaded by John Steedman

DSCN0077
Originally uploaded by Hannah Blagnys

Kuching waterfront
Originally uploaded by spOt_ON

Old Market - Kuching
Originally uploaded by Michael Loke

kuching03
Originally uploaded by displace

kuching02
Originally uploaded by displace

DSC_9978
Originally uploaded by spOt_ON

Old Shop House
Originally uploaded by Nick_Jong

Kuching Street Scene (Lomo)
Originally uploaded by magnusvk

Kuching Market shops
Originally uploaded by worldtour11

kuching wetmarket
Originally uploaded by mishes

spicy!
Originally uploaded by mishes

Photo by Desmond Ong

Photo by Desmond Ong

Photo by Desmond Ong

Photo by Desmond Ong

Kuching at a glance

2008-09-30T05:40:00.000-07:00

Discarding the old, in the new supermarkets - Asia

2008-09-29T06:37:00.000-07:00

The increase popularity of shopping malls in Asia does help to put its most important tenant - supermarket in winning position over traditional farmers markets. For Kuching it is a double blow as after the closure of Ceko market the city has no markets in the city centre (except the Satok sunday wet market 1km away) hence giving golden opportunities for supermarkets to extend their radius to dominate and continue threaten the remaining old shops at the old quarters of Chinatown and Indian street.

The new Plaza Merdeka to be built in the heart of the old quarters presumably will has a supermarket will take over the original retail pattern left from the Ceko Market nearby (about 150m away) and will pose significant threat to the remaining shop fronts foods and produces and other retail sectors on that area.

Will the people go to the shopping mall to get all they need under one roof ignoring other traditional retails around the area?

The following excerpt taken from article published by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:

The move to supermarkets in Asia is driven by a number of factors - including automobiles...

Income growth has increased ownership of refrigerators, which has spurred a shift from daily to weekly shopping, and of cars, which permit large volume shopping at distant locations

Changing consumer preferences led by women's entry into the workforce. "Working women" prefer one-stop, fast, convenient, and value-for-money shopping

Changing eating habits - with more women working outside the home and families travelling further to work, there is increasing demand for processed food

Development of infrastructure, e.g. highways and transport, has favoured the development of supermarket chains

Low retail margins and fierce competition has created a "buyer's market" in which consumers enjoy low-cost services and quality - and happily switch between retail outlets

Demographic, cultural, social changes, including a growing proportion of nuclear families and "one-person households" and growing use of credit cards.

Increased travel has exposed Asians to modern retailing, a wider range of products and the availability of fresh produce "out of season".

The following excerpt taken from Differences in Factors Attracting Consumers to Taiwan's Supermarkets and Traditional Wet Markets

Journal of Family and Economic Issues

Exit interviews were used to summarize factors attracting consumers to six supermarkets and three wet markets in a representative city. Using the history of the marketplace as the foundation for analysis, the strengths and weaknesses of the two retail formats are introduced and are compared to the consumer response data. Findings indicate that the decline of Taiwan's traditional markets will probably continue until all are replaced by new retail formats. Currently, the traditional market is in the weakest of all the retail positions since it supplies the needs of a shrinking population of older consumers with preferences and shopping behaviors unlike those of younger, nontraditional consumers. Supermarket expansion is slowing because new hypermarkets, convenience stores, and warehouse stores are competing to satisfy the needs of the younger, more mobile target population. Overall, store formats that provide lower prices, sales promotions, a good environment, good product quality, and good service have the greatest opportunity to build consumer loyalty and increase market share."

Related Posts:
1) Benefits of markets
2) The market that defines the city [Melbourne]
3) Slow Living & Old Market

Images of Sarawak

2008-09-24T07:25:00.001-07:00

See links below to see individual photo uploaded at Flickr:
1. hornbill, 2. Tranquility, 3. Trail to Pa' Lungan, 4. Sarawak Culture, 5. sungai sarawak, 6. Rafflesia Flower, 7. in the rainforest of malaysia, 8. Iban children, 9. IMG_4669 - cropped, 10. Mulu, Borneo

Kuching - tourism perspective #1

2008-09-24T06:36:00.000-07:00

Below are some of the phrases taken from "The official Kuching guide 2007" prepared by Wayne Tarman & Mike Reed, sponsored by Sarawak Tourism Board.

"Like all towns and cities in Borneo, the focal point of Kuching, and the reason for its existence, is the river. Hiring a “sampan” to meander slowly up and down the Sarawak River is the best way to get your first impression of Kuching, and a real bargain. It’s good during the day, bliss at sunset and a truly one-off experience at night. From the river you will see picturesque Malay villages (kampungs), a golden-domed mosque, a Victorian fort, a whole street of 19th century Chinese shophouses and an imposing wooden-roofed palace, all set against a background of distant mountains."

"The Waterfront offers excellent views of the Astana, Fort Margherita and the Malay kampungs which line the north bank of the river, but at night-time it really comes alive; it seems like half of Kuching is out meeting friends, watching a show, or just taking the air. "

Obviously, the quality of the city can be summed up as follow:

the villages (kampung) line the north bank of the river, opposite the city centre.
the river as the primary icon of the city
waterway transport - the sampan (small wooden boat)
picturesque setting made up from these features - distant mountains, historic buildings, villages, sunset and the river.

So the question I want everyone to ask is the modern development as shown in this post - the oversized State Assembly building, arced pedestrian bridge and wide boulevards to replace the forested water edge, villages and the surrounds of the historic sites appropriate ?

Kuching Waterfront and the old markets

2008-09-17T05:50:00.001-07:00

Photos show views from the same location - the eastern end of the Ceko old market overlooking
river edges of the Sarawak River. The southern edge (left of photo) is lined with market's buildings, dockyards. Fishing boats unload catches here at the loading docks (shown on second and third photo below). Sampan (small boat shown on the first photo) bring village residents from the northern side of the river to shop at the old markets everyday. Life like this has been going on for nearly a century.

"The wet markets are strategically sited. Boats bringing in produce can unload their goods at the back, while housewives on a shopping expedition approach the airy hall from the road." Quote from Sarawak sketchbook

Check this link to see the proposed plan to turn this stretch of waterfront into another modern leisure paradise which can be anywhere in the world. In other words, is this development necessary ? in the expense of one unique feature of the city? and also erasing city-working river relationship?

See post Kuching old Ceko Market

Kuching Waterfront 2
At Flickr by SamCotton

Photo by Desmond Ong

Streets as places !

2008-09-15T20:45:00.000-07:00

"While streets were once a place where we stopped for conversation and children played, they are now more the domain of cars than people. Even where sidewalks are present along highways and high-speed streets, they feel inhospitable and out of place." Quote from article "Reinventing Streets as places"

Website:
http://www.pps.org/

Benefits of Markets

2008-09-15T20:43:00.001-07:00

"The number of farmers markets in the United States has increased dramatically from some 1,755 markets in 1994 to over 3,700 in 2004. "

This is the sign of revival of traditional markets in America. In Europe, markets have been the way of life for everyone. In developing nations, many existing markets face the danger of being closed by authority or replaced by modern development; or simply cannot compete with large supermarket or shopping mall. Those which still survive relying on majority of poorer residents but stayed away by the middle class who prefer much comfortable, less chaotic and cleaner shopping malls.

The attitude has changed not only in America but also showing signs in country like Australia. "These markets – i.e., Pike Place in Seattle, Reading Terminal in Philadelphia, and North Market in Columbus – show the tremendous opportunity for public markets in today's world of shopping malls and retail chains. These markets also show that with careful planning and investment, along with effective management, public markets can again become centers of sustainable local economies and community life." Extract from "Benefits of Market". Full article can be view at (recommended read):

http://www.pps.org/markets/info/markets_program

Crossing The River

2008-09-13T15:17:00.001-07:00

Crossing Sarawak's Limbang River. Although this photo is not taken along Sarawak River or anywhere near Kuching, it does represent a typical way of life many Sarawakan live along the river. The houses scattered along the river edge are similar to those villages opposite Kuching city.

So similarly you can see many villagers make daily trips by sampan (wooden boat) to Kuching old markets in the downtown to shop of fresh produces and other groceries.

The following photo - 'sampan' was taken from the old market, view to the villages lined along the opposite bank of the Sarawak River.

Crossing The River
At Flickr by Roslan Tangah (aka Rasso)

Case Study : Sydney's old Inner City we preserved

2008-09-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

"For the new residents of Sydney's million-dollar slums, the close living is one of the attractions. ''I like to believe we're the only street in Sydney with a real sense of community," says Soo Haywood, a Little Comber resident of two years."

A quote from article "Be it ever so humble" published in Sydney Morning Herald on May 11, 2002.

Sydney example should set a precedent for many other cities that if the city authority and developers treat old quarters as city's problem and want to demolish to make way for modern development, they will run into a huge mistake by erasing city's history and character.

Sydney(1), now a truly global city has these old quarters that not only have maintained much of their character also have become as city's cultural precinct, nourishing dining and high-street retail scenes as well as art communities. More prominently these are now the most sought after place to live.

The process which is called 'gentrification' isn't perfect. It has resulted increase in land value; in some ways also alters the character and slowly pushes the poorer residents out the area.

Read previous posted entry : "Case Study - Sydney's Inner city from the slum to highly valued precincts" more detailed explanation of how Sydney' Inner City fell into slum during the last century.

Footnote:
(1) Sydney for only about two hundreds years old history is considered a young city.

The Last Trip

2008-09-11T06:11:00.001-07:00

The Last Trip
At Flickr by Jeremy-G

'Place of No Return' - the Transformation Ahead

2008-09-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

If you are already familiar to Kuching's unique character, you can see this proposed development will drastically transform the opposite original waterfront to a planned city like Canberra or Putra Jaya.

http://sarawakdotcom.blogspot.com/2007/11/dewan-undangan-negeri.html

Kuching River Edge

2008-09-10T05:38:00.000-07:00

Quality of the river edges still visible from Kuching CBD. The DUN (State Assembly Building) grand plan will drastically change the edges forever.

See links below to see individual photo uploaded at Flickr:
1. Sarawak river ferry, 2. Kuching, 3. Kuching Waterfront 1, 4. Kuching Waterfront 2

Sanctuary Hotel and Mall Kuching development

2008-09-01T07:15:00.000-07:00

The building going to replace the current Ceko Market and Brooke Dockyard. The extent of adjacent old shops along Gambier Street and Jalan Pasar affected is unknown. I'd say the larger old precinct is threatened. Large part of Kuching's history will be erased.

See post Old Ceko Market (before)
See post Old Ceko Market (after)
See post Kuching waterfront and the old market
See external link Last day of Ceko Market

See link for more detail:
Kucing Berjanggut: Sanctuary Hotel and mall Kuching

Case Study - Sydney's Inner city from the slum to highly valued precincts

2008-08-27T05:21:00.000-07:00

Before you read the extract below, we all know that a large part of Sydney old quarters (known as Inner-city) are still intact, mostly survive from demolition during 1970s. Now these old houses have become the highest value properties in the country. Not only they are highly desired house to live in it also bring ripple effect to the immediate streetscape and urban areas to become vibrant cultural precincts.

Extract from book "Planning Sydney's Future". It outlined how in the past old houses were perceived as problem to the society. Now condition changed so people shouldn't see it as problem but our cultural heritage we should preserve. This also proved that we can't solve social problems with bulldozers which is happening in cities like Shanghai, Beijing...

"At the end of the Second World War Australia faced the worst housing crisis in its history. A survey conducted by the Commonwealth government in 1944 showed a national housing shortage of almost 200 000 dwellings, with Sydney needing about 35 000 of these. This was before replacing the 19 000 inner-city 'slum' dwelling that were earmarked for demolition. The 1947 census showed that of Sydney's population of almost one and a half million, about three-quarters lived in private houses occupied by only one family, another 15 per cent lived in flats. while the remaining ten per cent shared private houses or lived in boarding houses. On average, four people lived in single-family private houses, while six lived in share houses. But in the poorer parts of the inner city it was not uncommon for three or four families to be sharing overcrowded and often unsanitary terrace houses.

With demobilisation came demands for postwar reconstruction. Blueprints for better houses and better cities were an important part of armed services propaganda. In 1945 the Sydney architect Walter Bunning wrote an influential book about the past, present and future of Australian housing which he called 'Homes in the Sun'. In his foreword H. C. Coombs, director~general of postwar reconstruction, wrote that the book 'will be of direct and personal interest to every Australian man and woman who will in the coming years be setting up their own homes'. Bunning wanted new homes to be built 'to admit sunshine and fresh air, to have healthy surroundings, peace and quiet and to suit our climate and traditions'.

Like the Cumberland planners. Bunning painted a bleak picture of Sydney's slums. which he characterised as having narrow, ugly streets and pocket-handkerchief allotments, forcing children to play in 'lanes and alleys' and their parents 'to sit on their doorsteps' (1). Such attitudes encouraged property interests to welcome the expansion of the City core into suburbs like Pyrmont, Chippendale and Woolloomooloo because substandard housing would be replaced by commerce and industry. In other inner suburbs, like Paddington, Redfern, Surry Hills, Alexandria, Waterloo, Erskineville, Newtown, Glebe and Balmain it was assumed that demolition and rebuilding would be required for most of the houses and that the New South Wales Housing Commission. created in 1941, would do the bulk of the work."

'Planning Sydney's Future' by Peter Spearritt & Christina Demarco. Published 1988 by Allen & Unwin Sydney

Article "Be it ever so humble", published May 11, 2002 at Sydney Morning Herald explains the transformation Sydney's Inner city had experience.
Quote : "Sydney's smart - and expensive - Victorian houses were once hosts to squalor and plague", writes Anne Davies.

(1) Scene like this is common in the large part of Europe nowadays. It is in fact the healthiest, and more environmental friendly way of living. The low, tight and intimate neighbourhoods also create strong sense of community.

Slow Living & old market

2008-08-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

On a grey and bitterly cold early Saturday morning at Dunedin's weekly farmers' market we struggle with our bags of shopping as we make our way awkwardly through the crowded pathway. As we do we cannot but think of the new, shiny supermarket that has opened this week down the road from where we live. Its well- lit, warm interior beckons and it prompts us to wonder why we are here rather than there. As we do, we pause for a moment and take in the scene around us: the bustling stalls selling local fruit and vegetables, people tasting the organic pork sausages, the smell of coffee in the air, as well as much talk and laughter. We know we are putting up with the cold because we are committed to local food systems but we are also here because we enjoy the the sensory nature and the sociality of this space. There is a quality to this kind of space that distinguishes it from many other everyday experiences of space, including the new supermarket. Such an observation firstly reminds us that places are not just particular physical sites but they are also constituted as settings of interaction. Secondly, the material specificity of the farmers' market is appealing because it is different from, and challenges, conventional experiences of space in the global everyday: culture, traditionally thought of as bound to locality, is now derived from more abstract, deterritorialized contexts and relations. What implications does such a deterritorialized existence have for any conceptualization of the spaces of slow living? We will argue in this section that the concept of 'place' retains a significance in the global everyday and that deterritorialization paradoxically can contribute to a revitalization of the site of 'the local'. Modernity has initiated fundamental changes in the relationship between space and place.

Quote taken from "Deterritorialization, the Local and Place ", Slow Living.

Full Reference:
Parkins, Wendy & Craig, Geoffrey. [2006], Slow Living, UNSW Press

An argument of our Contemporary City = Generic City

2008-08-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

These are some of the important quotes argue against the current trend cities are transforming into modern monoculture:

"[Tragedy] I don't believe anyone will ever be able to make any city council understand that from an urbanistic point of view, the most attractive parts of the city are precisely those areas where nobody has ever done anything. I believe a city, by definition, wants to have something done in those areas. That is the tragedy." quote by Architect Rem Koolhaas & Designer Bruce Mau, published at S,M,L,XL

"The loss of Singapore's historic center foreshadows a disturbing global phenomenon. It is sad enough when a people and a city expunge their own cultural achievements, but in the twentieth century, throughout the world, where historic architecture in old cities is lost, it is frequently replaced with the new architecture of an international modern monoculture. Whether in northern or southern climates, in Asia, African, European, or American cultures, the generic buildings of modern development change little in response to their geographic and social surroundings. Just as American fast-food chains offer identical dishes, with the same names, in the same wrappers, by waiters in matching uniforms, so most of the new architecture of Singapore primarily reflects the economic formulas of modern speculative development." quote by Anthony Tung, published at Preserving the World's Great Cities. The destruction and renewal of the historic metropolis

From Louisana Manifesto, architect Jean Nouvel stated : "In 2005, more than ever, architecture is annihilating places, banalizing them, violating them. Sometimes it replaces the landscape, creates it in its own image, which is nothing but another way of effacting it. "........ "The global economy is accentuating the effects of the dominant architecture, the type that claims “we don’t need context”. And yet debate on this galloping frenzy does not exist: architectural criticism, invoking the limits of the discipline, is content with aesthetic and stylistic reflections devoid of any analysis of the real, and ignores the crucial historical clash that – more insistently every day – sets a global architecture against an architecture of situations, generic architecture against an architecture of specificity. Is our modernity today simply the direct descendant of the modernity of the 20th century, devoid of any spirit of criticism? Does it consist simply of parachuting solitary objects on to the face of the planet? Shouldn’t it rather be looking for reasons, correspondences, harmonies, differences in order to propose an ad-hoc architecture, here and now? " ......."In the name of the pleasure of living on this Earth, we must resist the urbanism of zones, networks and grids, the automatic rot that is obliterating the identity of the cities of all continents, in all climates, feeding on cloned offices, cloned dwellings, cloned shops, thirsting for the already thought, the already seen in order to avoid thinking and seeing."

"Distinctiveness is key, for although cities draw from each others' experiences the danger is that pioneering cities around the world quickly become textbook case studies for city officials. Cities then tend to adopt generic models of success without taking into account the local characteristic and conditions that contributed to those successes. The result is a homogeneous pastiche of buildings - aquariums, convention centres, museums, shops and restaurants - that prove to be remarkably similar the world over." Quoted from The Creative City: A Toolkit for Urban Innovators

State Assembly Building at the river front #1

2008-08-22T08:16:00.001-07:00

Sarawak State Assembly Building (under construct.)
At Flickr by netaholic13

The DUN - Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assembly building). The bulk size of this building will dominant the skyline of Kuching city. It is built on the site where originally covered with thick vegetation prominently forms the unique image of Kuching. Now with the clearing had been done to the water edge, you can see the beginning of urbanising the other side of the river.

Diminishing way of life #1 - Beijing

2008-08-22T06:34:00.001-07:00

Old Woman
At Flickr by Pawel Maciejewski

It is not hard to find a beautiful scene like this in Italy where locals still live in traditional way (even in the cities) and this way of life will go on pretty much forever.

In China, its own unique cultural heritage and the way of life will be diminished in the name of modernisation.

Click photo to view original photo and narration at Flickr.

River city and 'working river' study - Palembang

2008-08-20T02:19:00.000-07:00

Palembang, second largest city in the Indonesia island of Sumatra is a thriving city. The city is not as modern as Kuching city, still maintains large section of old areas along its river. The Musi is still a working river brings much activities for the city centre in the form of boat transport between both banks is not only crucial for the city's economy and also the identity and livelihood of its people depends on it. River side residents travel to opposite bank the city centre to shops for daily needs; agriculture goods are delivered here via boats; fishing boats docks here and load the daily catch to the markets.

Imagine like other cities in the world Palembang rushes to develop its old waterfront strips into a place of recreation and tourism the 'working river ' activities (as shown on the photos) will be diminished. Boat activities will be moved or centralised in new loading points thus this part of the river will lose its vibrancy. The only boat travel between both banks will be only the sightseeing tourist boat. Businesses on the proximity of river banks depend so much on sales and delivery of goods from boats will be greatly affected.

One of the prominent example is Sydney's diminishing status as 'working harbour'. Debate can be viewed here.

Photos by Desmond Ong

River city study - Luang Prabang, Laos

2008-08-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

Luang Prabang - "A royal gem, reclining against the mountains and dangling its feet in the river" "Luang Prabang, made a Unesco World Heritage city for both its beautiful buildings and the serenity of its natural surrounds, has become Lao PDR's foremost tourist showpiece" Lonely Planet.

Luang Prabang, a Laos city with current population of 103,000

No other river city in the world has this unique character like Luang Prabang. Nature is the dominant feature. It covers much of the city center and the whole stretch of the riverbank. This portrays image of Laos to the outside world that this country still live in the old world. Timeless and untouched by the modernity.

Urban centre is well integrated with the landscape

Has impressive historic buildings without being imposing but blend well with the existing landscape

Like Kuching, Luang Prabang has good blend of well preserved colonial buildings and local architecture, set against rivers and mountains of beautiful natural beauty, which led to Luang Prabang designation as a World Heritage site in 1995. As the result of such an early recognition before the country's opening to outside world has effectively protected the old city and its beautiful surrounds from the ravages of hasty development.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Prabang

Kuching riverfront view from the hotel [2]

2008-08-11T08:04:00.001-07:00

Original photo is posted at Flickr. This is one of the most important shot found. It shows the typical view from hotel room facing the Sarawak river (north to north western view) (map and views diagram coming soon). Taken on a sunny day the context are clearly visible. The owner of this photo and also the previous shot had made a comment about her preference of the trees area on the opposite bank (right) remains untouched. In favour to this, the shot has been panned to the left to exclude the new nearly completed - the Assembly Building which can be seen from the previous photo (go to post). This photo represents Kuching's originally character.

Kuching from our hotelroom II
Originally uploaded by MeElisa

Kuching riverfront view from the hotel [1]

2008-08-11T07:56:00.001-07:00

Original photo is posted at Flickr. This is one of the most important shot found. It shows the typical view from hotel room facing the Sarawak river (north to north western view) (map and views diagram coming soon). Taken on a sunny day the context are clearly visible. The owner of this photo and also the proceeding shot had made a comment about her preference of the trees area on the opposite bank remains untouched. The current condition shows the new nearly completed building - the Assembly Building is actually changing the quality of the existing aspect forever.

Kuching from our hotelroom I
Originally uploaded by MeElisa

At KL's wet market

2008-08-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

1. _M220119bw copy.jpg, 2. Wet wet wet market, 3. He's too shy to look at me, 4. _M108552bw copy.jpg, 5. Petai, 6. In the wet Market (Kuala Lumpur)

Bazaar Baru Market (Kuala Lumpur)
This lively market sells clothes, toys, buckets, stationery, noodles, spices, fresh meat and live, flapping catfish, as well as a staggering array of weird and wonderful tropical fruit. Overweight cats loiter around the wet market looking for scraps, and locals struggle through the narrow aisles with huge bags of shopping. Just wondering round is a heady, sensory experience, particularly for the sense of smell. (Lonely Planet)

Pudu Market (Kuala Lumpur)
Pudu Market is KL's biggest wet and dry market. It's a frenetic place, full of squawking chickens, frantic shoppers and porters forcing their way through the crowds with outrageous loads.....Arrive early in the morning to experience the market at its most lively and pungent. You can recover the sensory overload at the attached hawker court. (Lonely Planet)

The market that defines the city [Melbourne]

2008-08-10T05:44:00.000-07:00

Queen Victoria Market

1. red yellow and green, 2. queen victoria market, 3. Lady's Fingers, 4. queen victoria market, 5. Specialising in Dips, 6. queen victoria market

Queen Victoria Market (Melbourne)
Opened in the 1870s, Queen Victoria Market remains one of the best loved of Melbourne's institutions. Its collection of huge, decorative open-sided sheds and high-roofed halls is fronted along Victoria Street by restored shops, their original awnings held up with decorative iron posts. Although undeniably quaint and tourist-friendly, the market is a boisterous, down-to-earth affair where you can buy practically anything from new and secondhand clothes to fresh fish at bargain prices. Stallholders and shoppers seem just as diverse as the goods on offer: Vietnamese, Italian and Greek greengrocers pile their colourful produce high and vie for your attention, while the huge variety of deliciously smelly cheeses effortlessly draws customers to the old-fashioned deli hall. (Rough Guides)

At the Italian Markets

2008-08-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

1. Fruit Vendor, 2. Bologna Street Markets, 3. Spending last penny, 4. Madama di Palazzo, 5. sguardi incrociati, 6. ripe hardiness06

"To Italians, a city without a fresh food market at its heart us a dead city. Their markets are thriving subcultures that provide an insight into the psyche of the city." Terry Durack, Travel + Leisure Magazine

"In an era of supermarket aisles, refrigerated cabinets and processed everything, this is a rare opportunity for the city to meet the country face-to-face." Travel + Leisure Magazine

"You can tell a lot about an Italian city by its market. No two are the same." Carla Coulson

Get soul into the city, landscape chief urges

2008-08-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

Perth needs to move away from the American streetscape design, heavily influenced by car use, and adopt a European pedestrian-friendly approach with a focus on creating welcoming and vibrant village centres. Continue article

http://www.aila.org.au/NEWS/InNEWS/GrabashDec07.htm

References

2008-08-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

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BOOKS

Cities

Burdett, Richard (editor), [2006], Cities, Architecture and Society: 10th International Architecture Exhibition - Venice Biennale 2006, Volume 1 & 2, Marsilio Editori

Burdett, Richard (editor), [2006], City-Port: 10th International Architecture Exhibition - Venice Biennale 2006, Volume 1 & 2, Marsilio Editori

Barrett, Jennifer (editor) & Butler-Bowden, Caroline, [2001], Debating the City - An anthology, Historic House Trust of New South Wales & University of Western Sydney

Burdett, R & Sudjic, D, [2007], The Endless City, Phaidon

Kerr, Alex. [1996], Lost Japan, Lonely Planet Publication

Kerr, Alex. [2001],al porta Dogs and Demons-Tales from the Dark Side of Modern Japan, Hill and Wang

Koolhaas Rem & Mau, Bruce, [1998], S,M,L,XL, Second Edition, Monacelli Press

Yamasaki, Matsahumi, [1994], Ktoyo: Its Cityscape, Traditions and Heritage, Process Architecture, no116

Urban Studies

Landry, Charles, [2008 2nd edition], The Creative City - The Toolkit for Urban Innovators, Earthscan Publishing

Tung, Anthony M, [2001], Preserving the world's great cities. The destruction and renewal of the historic metropolis, Clarkson Potter/Publisher.

Peter Spearritt & Christina Demarco, [1988], Planning Sydney's Future, Allen & Unwin Sydney

David J. Smiley, [2002], Sprawl and public space : redressing the mall, National Endowment for the Arts ; New York, Distributed by Princeton Architectural Press

Traditional markets and streetscape

Illustrations by A. Kasim Abas ; text by Peter Kedit [2005], Sarawak sketchbook, EDM Books

Cliff, Stafford & Chabaneix, Gilles de. [2003], The Way We Live : Making Homes/Creating Lifestyles, Thames & Hudson

Living

Farrelly, Elizabeth M. [2007], Bubbleland: The Dangers of Happiness, UNSW Press

Parkins, Wendy & Craig, Geoffrey. [2006], Slow Living, UNSW Press

Travel

Rough Guides, [2003], The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei, the Penguin Group

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JOURNALS

Kerb : Journal of Landscape Architecture 'Future Cities' Issue 16 2007/2008

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PAPERS

Nouvel, Jean [2008] Louisiana Manifesto

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CONFERENCES AND EXHIBITIONS

"Cities, Architecture and Society", Venice Biennale 2006 - 10th International Architecture Exhibition

"City-Port", Venice Biennale 2006 - 10th International Architecture Exhibition

"Time", AILA / IFLA Conference Sydney 2006

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WEBSITES

http://www.aila.org.au/ (Australia Institute of Landscape Architects)

http://www.worldchanging.com/ (World Changing - Change Your Thinking)

http://www.pps.org/ (Project for Public Spaces (PPS): Building Community, Creating Places,Using Common Sense)

http://www.urban-age.net/endless_city/_ELC.html (Urban Age Network)

Destruction of Kyoto's old quarters

2008-07-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

There is always a lesson to learn from. Kyoto, a city that is too late to revert back to its original grandeur but it is hope that history is not repeating in future to its remaining heritage also to any other cities around the world.

Unfortunately, Beijing city is the next victim.

A Japanese friend once told me (Alex Kerr), "I always associated old Japanese houses with an image of poverty. When I saw Tenmangu I realised for the first time that one could live well in an old house." The key to the destruction of the city of Kyoto lies in this comment. In the eyes of the city administration, rows of old wooden houses look 'poor'; they are an embarrassment, and should be removed quickly. This is not only true for Kyoto - the same feeling lurks deep in the hearts of people all over Japan. If this were not so, the rampant destruction which has occurred here would have sparked a strong public outcry; but until recently there has been hardly a peep of protest. Alex Kerr

'Lost Japan' by Alex Kerr. Winner of Japan's 1994 Shincho Gakugei Literature Prize.

"Of course there was nothing wrong with wanting to "modernize the environment in which people lived, in the sense of making it more hygienic, more comfortable, more practical. But the question is, was it really necessary to destroy so much of the traditional environment and culture in the interest of modernization?" Matsahumi Yamasaki

Kyoto: Its Cityscape, Traditions and Heritage: Process Architecture

Kuching on Google

2008-07-25T22:31:00.000-07:00

View Larger Map

On the northern side of the river there are places named with 'Kampung ...' means village so you can see the urban centre of Kuching city is all concentrated on the southern side of the river.

This is one of the unique features of Kuching and is associated to many of the entries in this blog. Please keep in mind.

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View Larger Map