Redefining the Asian space: A comparative view of evolving street culture and pedestrian space development in Bandung, Bangkok and Manila

Abstract

Asian streets convey a sensorial experience distinct from the Western model. Traditional knowledge resulting from the environment and sociocultural histories is imprinted on how people use the streets and how these streets are formed. The veneration of nature spirits, as seen by the presence of street shrines along the sidewalks, is an Asian phenomenon reflective of animistic roots. Diverse activities such as street vending and hawking add to the thriving character of the sidewalk, imitating the diversity of the Asian forest and further enhancing the pedestrian experience. However, from a transport viewpoint, the presence of these activities serves as a barrier to smooth pedestrian flow and contributes to the deterioration of the street environment. Moreover, street use has also become a political issue wherein vendor presence has become a symbol of a city’s poor economy and, because of its unregulated characteristic, encourages irregular migrants. Streets are also being blamed for hosting other negative activities such as being a haven for drugs and becoming a living space for the homeless. [Introduction extract]

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