Urban Tourism Planning

Urban places often serve as gateways to and staging areas for tourism regions or areas and major attractions. Indeed, urban places always the central place to have important business, government and educational centers which attract business travelers.

Integration of Urban Planning with Tourism, can bring significant economic benefits of employment and income to residents, at the same time it help support amenity features.


Urban tourism planning plays important role in the physical and economic rejuvenation of older cities or districts. Urban tourism plan should be prepared as an integral component of the comprehensive urban plan. In fact,  tourism can be well integrated in the urban fabric, by follows the basic planning process.

UrBan t0uRisM + PlaNniNg ... How It Works? 

Develop or improve urban type of attractions and facilities

    Attraction near the city must be included during urban planning, to provide basis for day tours outside the city.

Take advantage of special environment features

The unique land forms, natural elements and even local landmark
       

      

Provide a wide variety of accommodation, restaurants, and other tourist facilities

  

Concentrate in certain areas related to major attractions for convenience and efficiency

Provide a good public transportation network and encourage pedestrianization of tourism and shopping areas.

For example, water based, road based, rail based, air based transport system

Provide good tourist information services and guide maps.

   



Tourist information booths can be set-up in places where there are concentrations of tourists.

Provide a variety of well guided bus tours of the city and develop urban walking tours

Provide a high level of public health with good sanitation and hygiene standards, and adequate medical facilities and services.

Maintain a high level of public safety standards with control of crime to the extent possible

Improve the environmental quality of the urban area where needed

Controlling the pollution, traffic congestion, clean environment

Environmental Image

Building The Image

Environmental image is the product of a two-way process between observer and his environment. The environment would suggest the distinction and relations; Observer with great adaptability would select, organize  and endows with the meaning, based on what he sees, what he senses, and what he feels. So, the image now developed is limited and emphasize on what is seen and perceived through the observer. However, due to different background and ways of observer perceived, the image could be different. Thus, the image of a given reality may vary significantly between different people. 

"Public Image" is the common mental pictures carried by large number's of city inhabitants: an area often expected to appear in the interaction of single physical reality (neighborhood), a common value, and a basic physiological nature.

Orientation

Orientation at the night, Paris

Orientation has been widely recognized when construct an image for an area. It could changing from culture to culture and landscape to landscape. Orientation can be the abstract and fixed directional systems, teh moving systems,, and those that directed to the person. It seems like a potential clues that most people would pick out to oriented themselves. For example, Eiffel Tower, Paris, KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Penang Bridge, Pulau Pinang.

Structure, Identity, Meaning

An environmental image maybe analysed into three components : identity, structure, and meaning. A workable image requires first identification of an object, which implies its distinction from other things, its recognition as a separable entity. This is known as identity, not in the sense of equality with something else but with the meaning of unique, character, and individuality.

Second, the image must include the spatial or pattern relation of the object to the observer and to the other objects. The object must have some meaning for the observer either physical or emotional. For meaning, is not so easily influenced by the physical manipulation as are these other two components.  

Source: Kevin Lynch (1960) The Image of The City 

Urban Design 5 Elements

Paths  

It is actually refer to the familiar routes followed. They could be the streets, walkways, transit lines, canals, and railroads. Paths are functions as the major and minor routes of circulation that people use to move in/out. A city has a network of major routes and a neighborhood network of minor routes.

"..are the channels along which the observer customarily, occasionally, or potentially moves. They may be streets, walkways, transit lines, canals, railroads .." 

Edges

The perceived boundaries of a district is its edge. For instance, the shores, railroad, and walls. it is  the linear breaks in continuity, a dividing lines between districts. In general could be categorized into 5 types: Water Edges (Drainage), Fragmentary Edges (Landscape), Natural Elements (Mountain, Hills, Rivers), Overhead Edges and Elevated Edges (Staircases).

“..are the linear elements not used or considered as paths by the observer. They are boundaries between two phases, linear breaks in continuity: shores, railroad cuts, edges of development, walls ... " 

Districts

Areas with perceived internal homogeneity. A city is composed of neighborhoods or districts. District is a large part in the city, like area or neighborhood. They are recognizable as having some common identifying character.

“…are medium-to-large sections of the city, conceived of as having two-dimensional extent, which the observer mentally enters ‘inside of,’ and which are recognizable as having some common identifying character" 

Nodes

Centers of attraction /center of activity. It is distinguished from a landmark by virtue of its active function. Where a landmark is a distinct visual object, a node is a distinct hub of activity. Eg. the centre of district, intersection and focal point.



“…are points, the strategic spots in a city into which an observer can enter, and which are intensive foci to and from which he is traveling. They may be primary junctions, places of a break in transportation, a crossing or paths, from one structure to another..

Landmarks

Point of reference- prominent visual features of the city, but people cannot enter within them. Some landmarks are very large and seen at great distances, like Hilton Hotel in Alsancak. Some landmarks are very small (e.g. a tree within an urban square) and can only be seen close up, like a street clock at plaza. Landmarks help people to orient themselves in the city and help identify an area. Landmark, such as statue, high building, mountain, etc 

 

“…are another type of point-reference, but in this case the observer does not enter within them..They are usually a rather simply defined physical object: building, sign, store, or mountain".

Source: Kevin Lynch (1960) The Image Of the City

Heritage Buildings - Bring Life to Them

Heritage Is..

What is Heritage? Heritage is refer to cultural property, either tangible or intangible. (UNESCO, 1972) It can be a culture, can be a historical building, can be a monument, and it can be caves like Lenggong Valley, Perak as well. It is something like pass from one generation to next generation, they are our memories, they tell us where we come, where's our roots.

Conservation of buildings is related to the processes and efforts to maintain, repair, restore the heritage buildings in order to prolong the building life and its functions. To do so, it include rehabilitation and adaptive re-use. Rehabilitation is to make old buildings reusable, while adaptive re-use is likely changing the main function uses of buildings but maintaining their original forms and structure. 

Adaptive re-use..

Conservation of these historical buildings is important, especially Malaysia where full of local colors and cultures. However, in my point of view, conservation should based on the fundamental economic viability. 

There are many historical places been renovated and maintained become museums and beautiful nice places /  hot visitor's spots. All these are good efforts. For instance :-

St George's Anglican Church is the oldest Anglican church in Georgetown, Pulau Pinang

The Studhays in Melaka where once is government house now become a museum.

But I still think that the best way to prolong the life span of those historical buildings is that of adaptive reuse. --- Just like I mentioned above: modify the main functions and activities inside the buildings with original forms and structure. What I mean is just carried out the most routine activities in our daily life in those colonial buildings. For example, when you travel a colonial shop houses, you wish to see a well preserved and maintained shop lots but is like a static museum, although there might found some guides explains about the history and things happened before, but we just can't get the feeling. Or you more prefer to pass-by the colonial shop houses where local activities just like you are leading the local ordinary life, make us feel like back to that times? Have a cup of Kopi-O in cans under the strong historical colonial design buildings. I am pretty sure most of the people would choose the latter one.

Kopitiam.. Kopi-O.. Traditional feelings..

Below are some good examples found in Malaysia :

Central Market, 1888

Located along Jalan Hang Kasturi, a few minutes away from Petaling Street. Central Market was a wet market and now become a cultural center.

MATIC, Kuala Lumpur

In 1935, it once the residence of a wealthy miner, Eu Tong Seng. In 1941, it is war office of the British Army. Now, it become one-stop visitor center and offering a wide range of facilities and services to assist tourists in planning an enjoyable and eventful holiday in Malaysia.

Economic Viability..

Economic viability of a building depends on the use to which it can be put. For a building to function efficiently, it must not only be convenient to use but also capable of use at reasonable cost. Adaptive reuse of buildings is more economic not only in general terms like "conserved buildings" but  more practical and considerable from aspect of relative costs of old and new built space.

Adaptive re-use is likely bring a new life to these historical buildings. Without much interrupt our environment, we are taken care both built and natural environment instead. Why we have to built new and new shop houses and housings but why not just look on our beautiful existing heritage? Aren't they most represent us and local culture? Maybe some people might wondered: how if such historical buildings torn / vandalized when many people enter and go out? In fact, conservation of historical buildings or places not only local authorities efforts, but all the citizens who come from this community. Feel yourself like part of it : would you paint / graffiti on your house's wall?  No. Because you know that belongs to you. Same to these heritage. It take time to educate people, but it work.

Respect to the Nature

I always believed that everything in this world has their own values and proposes. Tree provide shade, beaches provide beautiful scenic view, as well serve as the habitat of marine animals. In urban planning, I also believed that each area in this world, no matter on the land or in the water, they also have their own special purpose and for certain single or multiple land use. What I am trying to emphasis is that we as human, whether your roles are developers, city planners, urban designer, citizens, or whatever parties; Before we explore or demolish or develop any places, we should respect the nature, and be response to its values.

Respect to the Nature

For example, sloping topography suggests terraced  structures; Lower ground usually has deep, moist, rich soils for vegetation. These are all planning and development that Respect to the Nature.

All living things are interdependent of one another. The slightest change in the environment can have a major impact on a whole living community. We depend on the landscape to provide us will oxygen, shelter, and food. If we disrupt the interdependence of the living things in their environments, then we can cause our own demise. Planners can help preserve the integrity of the natural and built landscape. Rather than looking at the landscape as a pretty picture, we need to look at it as a life supporting system. Because Earth, is the home of countless plant and animal communities including humans.

We see nature through an obscured eye looking for only our interests. Even there are so many theories and guidelines aids us, with all of our integrated knowledge, we should be able to create a paradise on earth. However, most probably we fail because we usually work against nature rather than with her.

Nature should be the beneficiary of our every project and plan. Earth and nature is the basic for our efforts when we planned for any development.

Does ‘harmony‘ imply that everything should blend together? No. In fact it is seems not to be out of place with the rest of the landscape, ―it is the happy result of an inspired design rather than the mistaken aim of an uninspired designer.

Landscape is dynamic; and is always changing. 

Constructed building and features create force in the landscape. Every time construction is imposed on a site, the landscape changes. Present projection predicts the population will double and double again within the next 100 years. During that time, stress will be on urban land will be incline. 

That’s why, the task of a planner or planning council is to prepare a guideline plan and the action program. It will define the types, locations, and the limits of development foreseen to produce the most desirable conditions for living and working. It also must account for natural features including forest, and farmland, open space, streets, parkways and etc. This will help produce an interconnection of activity centers and provide for a more stable community. Besides, the plan should adaptable, flexible to meet changing conditions and be constantly updated. farmlands, food production, freshwater reserves, and roadway capacities.

In the natural landscape, there is harmony or unity among all the natural elements in the surrounding. These natural elements could be rock formations, vegetation, flora and fauna. The unity of all these elements produces landscape character. The harmony complement from one to another create stronger landscape character.

Example of housing design that integrated with the natural landscape. - Respect to the Nature

A beautiful landscape that develops with wisdom, skill and taste can produce a noble and ennobling physical environment.

Reference:  Ian Mcharg (1969) Design With Nature

About Concept Urban Village

Sweet memories of Village Life~

Do you still remember the traditional values of village? Cooperation, helpful, warmth, sense of place, unites, sharing,  closet the relationship among villagers, kindness, self-help spirit.. arrrh~ even cannot forget the sweetest memories of going to river for a swim, hiding behind the trees to play seek and hide. We walked / biked to the school every early morning, families can have dinner in the evening instead of night time because none of traffic congestion as now urban people are encountering... more and more and more..  :)

That's why the urban village is so welcoming until today. Urban village :- leading village life in urban areas. The wonderful spirit of village integrated in convenient and sufficient urban area, where public transport  commercial, job opportunities, infrastructure, retails, and entertainment are so much better than traditional rural area location. Live, work, education, and play all in Urban Village.

Synergy, Vibrancy, Sense of Place

I summarize few of the basic principles of Urban Village. They are Synergy, Vibrancy, and Sense of place. After this I will talk about those physical features to achieve the principles above. 

Synergy

Synergy can be defined as the interaction between 2 or more places or elements until produce a combined effect, which is greater than their separate effects. Let's look on the examples Urban Village. Synergy in this context, can be refer to mixed-uses development. Combination of residential, commercial, recreation and public facilities have achieve synergy by creating the live-work-play-leisure within the community. With this, multi-level building is encouraged because has a wide range of goods and services under one roof,  plus it is within walking distance of much of the housing.

Vibrancy

Vibrancy at here is refer to people and bicycle movement. As mentioned above about the mixed-uses development, it had lead to more activities accessible within small radius so that, it is feasible to walk or ride a bike. short distances mean  greater opportunities for walking and cycling.  It helps to reduce the dependent onto automobiles. More pedestrian walkways and cycling ways are provided and this encourage the vibrant and movement of people. Not only for local residents, but also welcoming the non-residents from other gardens / residential areas. This directly enhance and improve the interaction and vibrancy within and between the zones.

Sense of place

This is the most critical components to indicate the spirit and ambiance of Urban Village. A living place most important is able to provide the sense of place to the villagers, this is related to villagers pride on their living areas. In short, it should be livable. For instance, villagers indeed can work or purchase their daily needs out from this zone. However, the fundamental spirit of Urban Village is through the mixed land uses, where live, work, education, buy and play all in ones had create and enhance the interaction and understanding to each other, at the end, the sense of pace achieved. --- You know where you lived, you know who are your neighbors,  you know what are the join forces and united village living is, you have the community pride, you know who you are.

Urban village is there to stay, but to create that environment in the city with many of its population born in the city and without any experience of village living is a challenge itself. For some of the children, perhaps spending hours in front of computer screen chit-chatting with friends is better than going out and picnic under the hot sun. Some of them might have thought frozen chicken found in supermarket is the "chicken" instead of those running around in the compound of a village house.

New strategies are needed. Planners' creativity and innovative are needed. We need to apply new terminology, approaches and concept of discussing with them and along the process in building the underlying concept of urban village into their mind. For example, since many have acquitted with the idea of going green as a cool thing, perhaps asking the youth to plant trees while going for outing should be the way forwards.

Support & Encourage Yourself ^ ^

 Be proud of yourself. 

Whether it is because of a small accomplishment or just life in general, you have to believe in yourself. Always remember, you can't encourage yourself if you don't like yourself. Self-esteem is important.  ^__^ V  oh yeah~

 Try being your own best friend. 

Talk to yourself like you would to a friend who needed motivation. Say things like "I know it's hard but you can do it," or, "By this time tomorrow, it will be all done." You will getting motivated!!

 Keep a good sense of humor! 

It helps tremendously! Nothing big deals. My quotes: Nothings able make life difficult except your mood to make your life difficult.

Spend some time on a hobby.

Reach out to others who can encourage you.

If you can get out some, then think about what encourages you. 

Many people find that doing things for others helps their own problems feel smaller, or at least it gets the problems off their mind for a little while.

Exercise! 

Walk outside or on your treadmill, ride a stationary bike, do yoga. You can choose the kind of class you'd feel most comfortable in, or you can practice yoga at home with music of your choice. The stretching and de-stressing techniques are excellent. Or you can jog, or belly dance, or whatever feels wonderful to your body. Just 15, 30, or 45 minutes a day will help your metabolism, which in turn helps your mood.

Eat good food! 

Add fresh foods and whole grain foods; go organic on some things if you would like to.

Play music! 

Whatever kind of music lifts your spirits, play that for yourself. You can keep a radio or stereo on so that you can hear it in the background wherever you are.

URBAN PLANNING VS HEALTH ISSUES

Chronic diseases + Causes

People today are more knowledgeable and start paying attention on healthcare. In most people common sense, chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol and so on and so forth are results of the civilization society today. And, the common consent on this emergence of chronic disease is caused by the eating habits, the lifestyle that many depends on the automobile nowadays , the advanced of technology, smoking, and stress of life.

Yup, above statements are all correct. But... what makes them have to travel along the ways to work or to school? What causes them have to travel over a long distances to gyms and fitness centers for exercising?  The built environment nowadays is increasingly driven by automobile dependent living. People work far from their homes, children are either by bus or driven to school, cars are used to run most errands and opportunities for social interaction are so limited.

If, through the urban planning, communities become places where people willing to stay and work, now and future, in well functioned and high quality environments. At the same time, all the infrastructures and amenities required such as transit, buses, shops, parks and community facilities, all able been reached on foot or by bike within 10 minutes. Even the distance to working places are available within easy travelling distance. No more long distance travel across the roads, people able reach any places they want by their feet. Indirectly, well designed urban planning spurred the chances of residents moving and exercising.

The built environment in Malysia is increasingly characterized by sprawling, car-dependent suburban living. For example  Putrajaya, Seremban, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur. People work far from their homes, children are bused or driven to school, cars are used to run most errands and opportunities for social interaction are limited. The consequences include poor air quality, deficient social capital and an increased incidence of injuries. Heat-absorbent asphalt and concrete surfaces and a lack of tree cover can also cause higher temperatures, which can increase health risks, especially for the elderly. The built environment's impact on physical activity, however, has the most significance for health.

Environments to support walking

So, the growing body of evidence links the built environment to health outcomes. What should we do? The evidence points to the relationship between neighborhood design and the extent to which neighborhoods support walking with health outcomes. Take a look on foreign example : Toronto. Study  shows that a low density suburbs have low walkability and a higher prevalence of diabetes. Besides, low-density suburbs also typically have a larger environmental footprint.

When we think about physical activity, recreation often comes to mind. But getting from A to B — utilitarian physical activity — has a greater potential impact on health than recreational physical activity. Supporting this type of activity requires a fundamental change in the built environment.

We know what a healthy built environment looks like. It includes a range of services — such as transit, shops, parks and community facilities — that can be reached on foot or by bike within 10 minutes. Some employment will be available within easy travelling distance. The streets are set out in a rectilinear, connected pattern rather than crescents and cul-de-sacs. Roads are relatively narrow and houses and shops are close to the street, with parking at the rear. There is a mix of housing types (fewer single detached, more townhouses and apartments above retail). These characteristics are associated with the "New Urbanism" movement. All of this requires densities to be considerably higher than those that currently prevail in our suburbs.

Urban Planners VS Built Environment

Urban planners have, over many years, developed a vision of a high-quality built environment. It includes the elements that research has shown to be related to good health. This work is complex and involves many interests. For example, the design of roads is influenced by transportation engineers. Adding bike lanes and bus lanes may widen roads unless lane widths are adjusted. School boards may build one large school instead of several neighborhood schools, or may not provide bike racks. This affects the level of activity required to travel to and from school.

A built environment that supports health is no different than a built environment that is aesthetically pleasing, that provides good recreational opportunities, that is environmentally sustainable, that minimizes the costs of infrastructure and that enhances economic prosperity by reducing traffic congestion. We all have much to gain by working together to produce better places to live, work and play.