[2017] A report - by Ikhwan Nasir Anuar, from Universiti Teknologi MARA.
The writer talks about several highways in Klang valley, KL's current DASH, and several other highways that are existent and the issues at hand. He explores the follows; 1. Automotive dependency and city concept; 2. Pedestrian and motorcyclist's parking lot; 3. Concept of satellite town in modern city; 4. Six impacts of elevated highways.
The development of the urban highway in and around the city has created vast quantities of left over spaces that seldom integrated into formal planning and design. Vague on purpose, the interstitial spaces formed from these concrete “rivers” are referred as lost spaces.
We explore the urban interstices and investigate its possible usage. Site observation and photographic recordings of a case study were employed. The site characteristics were recorded in which findings suggested that the interstitial spaces have the potential to be planned and designed to cater adjacent community needs and usage.
As Malaysia aggressively build the elevated highways as the "efficient" alternative to solve the issues of traffic congestion in major cities, thus affect the aesthetical, ecological, historical, and recreational qualities [11].
The worst phenomenon is the elevated highways disconnect neighborhood until then the urban community feel the marginalization in the development program - just what PJDLink will do.
Researchers claim that such highway structures result in negative physical and psychological health conditions, increasing the noise and air pollution, especially in residential areas ( Appatova et al., 2008).
Transportation infrastructures also increase the segregation between local neighborhoods and damage aesthetic, ecological and historical qualities urban areas (Carmona, 2010, Anuar and Ahmad, 2017, Canter, 1977, Forman et al., 2003, Board, 2002). In particular, highways can act as physical and psychological barriers and create undesirable views, which make the pedestrian experience unpleasant.
Other factors; for e.g. Dumping debris, abandoned cars, or illegal activities are mentioned as the negative impacts of these infrastructures (Trancik, 1986, Anuar andAhmad, 2017).
A resultant lack of security and fear of violence further serve to decrease social interactions among local users (Hajer, 2001).
There are some points that require more investigation, for e.g. qualities of lost spaces under urban highways, especially in terms of a focus on citizens' preferences and perceptions.