Directive: Write a paper on the physical evolution and growth of a city( Kuala Lumpur)
In this exercise you will explore the evolution of urban form through explanatory research into the city's physical setting, its construction over time, and the key moments in its economic, social and environmental past. In addition you will produce a series of historical maps that show important changes in the form of that city. In undertaking this term paper, you will be answering a number of questions about urban form:
What have been the factors that contribute to spatial form outcomes? What has been the role of geography and topography in shaping cities? How have infrastructure systems directed development? How have jurisdictional relationships helped to form urban areas? And, how have trends in physical planning helped create the various spatial grids, realities and outcomes?
One of the primary goals for this exercise is the production of a time series of identically formatted maps that can help you to see change over time. Using GIS, Google Earth and Adobe Illustrator you will delineate and trace urbanized areas according to distinct historical eras that were important to the development of the city you have selected. Your production of these maps will initially help you to understand the variety of urbanisms that are apparent in your city, and help you to understand design and development differences. These maps will be inserted as graphics into your final bound paper. With associated research, you should be able to explain all of the growth and physical changes apparent in the city. These maps should provide a narrative to the rationales that caused specific form and growth changes; be it economic boom times, in-migration, changes in urban design introduction, description of the site location and city, 5 historic periods, an answer to the question (How did history help to solve or create current problems within your city today: environment, society, economy) and conclusion.
In this paper, explain why the shape and form of the city has resulted in its current manifestation. Please consider issues such as geographical form and special geographical or topographical features, settlement pattern, density, transportation determinants, municipal/jurisdictional boundaries, number of jurisdictions, and any other observable information you deem important. You can supply any other graphics that are necessary to explain these factors. What have been the impacts of topography, infrastructure, transport, water and industry in shaping your regions? What have been the historical urbanization trends that have helped in developing this city over time What population changes have been witnessed over its history? What are the key contemporary issues that the city is facing with respect to urban form and its historical development? This is an investigative paper in urban form, and you must include a summary analysis at the end of the paper. You should rely on the Illustrator drawings you have completed, as well as your own observations, to gain many of the insights into the urban structure of this city. Do not write your paper without considering the knowledge you have uncovered in the mapping exercise; but, you will also be required to undertake significant historical research as well.