BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE

THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303/ARC2224)

SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2015) [5 MARKS]

NAME: Ho Tze Hooi

ID: 0314179

LECTURER:
Marlina Mazlan

TUTORIAL TIME: 1400 - 1600

SYNOPSIS NO:

Ida

READER TITLE: Life Between Buildings

AUTHOR: Jan Gehl

In his book Life Between Cities, Author G. Jan explores the relationship between
types of spatial properties of different built environments and different types of
usage in different spaces for example, outdoor activities. He stated that, outdoor
activities can be simplified to different demands based on activities, which are
necessary activities, optional activities and social activities. In short, if the outdoor
area is of poor quality, then only necessary activities will take place. If the outdoor
are is of good quality, then the space allows for more variance of activities to be
held. The essence of life between buildings is the combination of activities to make
communal spaces meaningful and attractive.
Throughout my time reading, I feel like Jan was trying to convey that architecture
and planning are the main influences that shape the life between buildings. Which I
can agree on, because if those are not planned correctly it would seem out of
context and deemed unsuitable for sustaining life between buildings. Thefore it
would require proper planning to determine the kinds of activities intended for the
space. For example, building a playground in between two factories would seem
unsuitable and out of context because of their clear contradiction of 'work' and
'play'.
In my opinion, the role of humans in the space plays the most vital part in
bringing life to spaces. In his book, he explained that the behavior of people will
change depending on the scenario and the spatial properties of the space. The
spatial properties will then determine the type of activities that can be carried out in
the space which directly influences the types of human activities. One of the most
important city attractions are the inhabitants themselves, as Jan wrote in the book
"People and human activity are the greatest object of attention and interest"
(G.Jan, 1986, p.31). His research concluded that people are more attracted by
living things as opposed to inanimate objects and video recordings. For example,
watching a live event unfold infront of our very eyes is more exciting compared to
watching a pre-recorded version of it. Therefore, I agree that his concept of 'people

are attracted to people' is the thing that brings life in between buildings.

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