Typo-Morphology as an approach for the conservation of the early Malay towns

The concept of study on typology in architecture has first been used in the 18th century based on the idea of classification through the principles such as consistency, specificity, and coherence. In the context of urban planning and design, the idea has been applied as an integrated framework in typological and morphological analysis that aimed to understand the physical and spatial structure and the processes of urban formation. However, there seems to be unexplored potential to integrate the understanding of urban form in urban design with urban morphology that leads to the current problems of piecemeal urban transformation patterns which comprises both positive and negative consequences to urban fabric. In the local context of Malay Traditional Town, lack of socio-spatial perspective in reviving the traditional cities has become an important challenge. This paper therefore aims to highlight the significance of the typological concept to bridge with morphological analysis by recognizing the basic types in its very essence. Based on a synthesis of reviewed literature, a conceptual framework of the concept and characteristic of types and its procedural typologies is presented. The discussions of major findings are divided into three parts. The first part point out to the theoretical evolution of the concept of type and typology. In the second part, the procedural of typological approach is presented which can therefore, be considered as generative elements for urban morphological analysis applied in the context of Early Malay towns. While in the final part, it is concluded that the integration of typo-morphological approach with conservation practice helps to create the coherence of the city following of three characteristics: firstly, the physical manifestation from the clarity of typesecondly the socio-cultural reference from the historical ideas and values in typeand thirdly the transformation of type to fit a particular physical and cultural context