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Abstract

The development and expansion of Cihampelas Street as a result of pressure exerted by the economy is characterized by form phenomena that are currently overwhelming not only Bandung but also other big cities in Indonesia. These phenomena have made an obvious impact on the physical planning of urban areas as well as the urban aspect or façade. A succinct article featuring the outcome of the research conducted makes a serious effort to present an analysis of the literature dealing with architectural meaning as expressed in the actual shape of the buildings.

This research into the empirical conditions encountered in certain sections of Cihampelas Street has been conducted gradually, in phases based on elaboration of the various theories concerning classification and communication as applied to architectural form. Firstly, the phase of following Venturi’s classification of the appearance of buildings, that is to say “duck versus decorated shed”. Secondly, the phase of perusing the literature by borrowing Peirce’s sign-based classification of buildings, namely icon, index, and symbol. Thirdly, the phase of interpreting form by observing the meaning-based classification of Morris. The result of studying the literature in stages concerning several architectural forms (considered to be representative of all the ones encountered in certain sections of Cihampelas) convincingly yields architectural meaning adhered to buildings all along this street. It is this particular expression triggered by economic power that has subsequently contributed to the confusion that marks the urban face of Bandung.

1. The economy as Generator of Growth

At present, Bandung is known as one of the cities that attracts tourists and shoppers alike. The outsiders from out of town, in particular those from Jakarta, come over to shop at weekends or holidays. This is understandable because of the Cipularang toll road’s functioning properly: the travel time from Jakarta to Bandung ranges from a mere 1.5 to 2 hours. Bandung is indeed well known for producing specific varieties of food, in addition to being a pioneer in the exported/imported clothes trade (blue jeans and various other clothes) at incredibly low prices. These clothes stores are better known as factory outlets.

Initially, these fashion outlets mushroomed all along Cihampelas Street. This is a street that functioned as a residential area with a quiet atmosphere at first, and began to stretch out, waking from its slumbers to develop into a trade centre for imported and exported clothes. The economic aspect that may be considered as the generator of this growth brought about changes in both function and physical appearance of the buildings along this street. Nowadays, Cihampelas can be safely categorized as a commercial strip area.

Economically speaking, the impact of the success these fashion outlets had been having spread to other parts of Bandung, such as sections situated along Riau Street and Dago. As distinct from the way those streets were handled, the local government once put into effect the regulation concerning demarcation lines for buildings, to indicate that new buildings must retreat as far as 10 metres from the side of the road. The demarcated area left unoccupied was subsequently employed as parking space for motorized vehicles. In spite of all this, not all buildings did actually toe the line. At present, Cihampelas is estimated to contribute income tax funds as much as 60 % of all the factory outlet enterprises in Bandung. Apart from this relatively significant contribution from an economic point of view, Cihampelas has also contributed to a certain architectural look on the urban face of Bandung.

The substance of this paper consists of a broad outline of research conducted in 2005. This research emphasizes an interpretative analysis of the appearance of the peculiar look of the buildings along Cihampelas with reference to theories dealing with architectural form and meaning.

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