The readings emphasize that ‘Space is a practiced place’ that in my opinion, spaces are more defined by the practice or how the place is used rather than the physical elements. No matter what kind of facilities are provided, it is only meaningful when it is used by the user. Taking the Instagram pier near HKU as an example, even it is prohibited from entry and there are no facilities for social interaction, it is still popular leisure and gathering space, while the promenade that is designed for social interaction, it seems that it is not as popular as the Instagram pier. In the case of the promenade, or in general, a modern city is designed by a top-down approach, building facilities and setting up rules trying to limit the users to what they want them to do. Some public spaces in Hong Kong are criticized to have too much or even unreasonable regulations. Of course, architects and urban designers have more professional knowledge of spacial design, yet I think when designing a place more freedom should be given to the users as to ‘practice’ the designed place, or even allowed changes place to accommodate different practices.
Yusze, Lam
3035575585
Excellent and thoughtful reading response to Certeau. You demonstrated your ability to critically think about “space as a practiced place” in relation to your own environment and offered perceptive opinions about the need for adaptability and change. Well done!