Street space sustainability in Asia: the role of the Asian pedestrian and street culture

Abstract

Discussion initiates from the present practice of street space design and management in the Asian context to establish that the current thrust of standards and mandates is geared towards promoting vehicle use and lacks consideration of other street users such as the pedestrian. The objective is to conduct a socio-cultural analysis of the Asian street user focusing on behavior, street sociology and culture. It aims to understand the Asian psyche and how this knowledge may contribute to enhancing street space sustainability. Four aspects of the Asian street user are considered: its physiological attribute and the needhierarchy, the Asian psyche compared with its Western counterpart, sociology of street use, and potential of reviving pedestrian culture. An interpretative, culture-bound approach is utilized to define the parameters to sustain people’s use of the street environment. It aims to review historical precedents on street space and use as well as utilize various anthropological methods.