Evolution of Back Lane Design: A View of Terrace Housing in Malaysia

Abstract

Narrow roads between rows of buildings used as public paths or commonly known as back-lane; the streets neglected by most of people. The unfavorable lane in residential area indeed had existed thousand years ago since the world urbanization. This paper traces the evolution of back lane design particularly in terrace houses in Malaysia, the largest housing type built since colonization and Post World War of more than 40 years ago. The first part provides an overview on the global development tracking back from the Prehistory to Post Modernism. Secondly, it assesses six aspects of evolution through observations approach carried out in two states, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. Critical review is made focusing on the two major elements, back lane physical design and its function with cross reference to literature research and current global issues. Variations of back lane have been discovered particularly in road width, drain condition, pavement material, landscaping, infrastructure and safety elemts.

Social Interaction in the Back Lanes of China Town

“…Back lane can be defined, as a back route that is used as services on a building (Tawil et al, 2013). It is used for utilities and infrastructure route such as maintenance of sewerage, drainage as well as garbage collection.…”

Back Lanes as Social Spaces in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

“…They suggest that back lane is a wasteful, unattractive and ugly space. Tawil (2013) relates the great crime rates cases occurred in the back lanes due to being narrow, dark and quiet.…”

“…The back lanes need to be managed properly to prevent problems (Clay, 1980) and increase the crime rate (Tawil, 2013). The presence of people due to the exciting activities happening at the back lanes of Sultan Street made the back lane safer.…”

Eco Public Art Placemaking Framework: a Case Study of Laman Seni Shah Alam, Malaysia

“…Recent studies and revitalization projects found that back lane revitalization has contributed to the increase of comfort in public spaces, enhance engagement of pedestrians within the urban core, contribute to the green lungs of the city and can function as flexible spaces (Mohd Tawil et al, 2013;Lorinc 2014;Fialko & Hampton 2013). The newly activated back lanes also offer better connections between larger public hubs, and have enhanced the character of the city by serving as lively, dense, and human-scale spaces.…”