https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-7IWzV8U5A
Fast City-MTR passage
Description:
The MTR is a vital part of Hong Kong’s transportation infrastructure, consisting of eleven lines to ferry over 5 million commuters daily to their destinations. A video has been made that explores the relationship between space and the fast-paced lifestyle of Hong Kong by focusing on the environment within the MTR passages. The video highlights the crowded MTR platforms and the fast-paced nature of the stations, which reflect the city’s high-density and fast-moving environment. In addition, it also showcases the role of the smart payment system, frequent train services, numerous escalators and elevators, and the crowds of passengers in enabling swift and efficient movement of people throughout the station.
The video was filmed mainly in Central and Admiralty in Island line, which are both busy MTR stations. It features a smart payment system that allows people to get to their destinations quickly without stopping to purchase tickets. It also shows the fast-paced culture of Hong Kong, where commuters are always rushing to catch trains and make it to their destinations on time. The video shows passengers running up and down escalators and stairs, especially in busy stations where large crowds constantly come and go during rush hours.
The video highlights the city’s strong work ethic, focus on efficiency, and productivity, as well as its sense of urgency in all aspects of life. The MTR system plays a significant role in shaping Hong Kong’s compact urban form and fast-paced lifestyle. Despite the challenges posed by the high-density environment, the MTR system remains a critical component that allows millions of commuters to move around the city efficiently and swiftly.
Method of Conducting Research and Producing the Video:
Before producing the video on the MTR passages and the fast-paced city of Hong Kong, I conducted extensive research. I consulted articles and reports on the MTR system, urban planning, and transportation in Hong Kong to gain a deeper understanding of the system’s role in the city. Additionally, I spent time observing and filming in busy MTR stations such as Central and Admiralty, paying close attention to the movement of commuters, station design, and the role of the smart payment system.
Li and Wong’s (2020) exploration of the evolution of Hong Kong’s smart card payment system, from the Octopus card to mobile payment options, helped me understand the impact of innovative technologies on transportation efficiency and convenience. By creating the video, I understand that the smart payment system allows people to get to their destinations quickly without stopping to purchase tickets in MTR and how it relates to a fast city. Another study also emphasizes the role of the MTR system in shaping Hong Kong’s urban form, including transportation planning and land use, which helped me appreciate the broader context of the MTR system in the city (Ng, 2015). Finally, the discussion of the Hong Kong MTR system as a world-class metro and a crucial component of the city’s transportation network reinforced the significance of the topic (Chan 2019). It gives insights into how crucial the MTR has become as a vital part of Hong Kong’s transportation infrastructure, consisting of eleven lines ferrying over 5 million commuters daily to their destinations, bringing us a more efficient and convenient lifestyle.
In producing the video on the MTR passages and the fast-paced city of Hong Kong, I sought to capture the sense of urgency and efficiency that characterizes the MTR system. I chose to focus on Central and Admiralty Stations as they are considered the busiest station. Central MTR station is both an interchange and a busy destination, with more than 10 exits serving commuters (HKCityLife, 2021). Admiralty MTR Station is also a major interchange and contender for the title of the busiest MTR station (HKCityLife, 2021). The sealed environment of the MTR stations creates a sense of urgency, as commuters are more likely to move quickly through the stations. To evoke the feeling of stress and urgency in viewers, I used techniques such as moving the camera upwards and filming no-end-in-sight passages and escalators. In order to encourage reflection, I also employed other techniques such as slowing down the pace at the end of the video, incorporating moments of stillness, and including thoughtful subtitles.
Reflections:
By creating the video, I can explore the relationship between the MTR passages and the fast-paced city in Hong Kong. Through the process, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by the high-density urban environment of Hong Kong. The video essay also highlighted the role of the smart payment system, frequent train services, and numerous escalators and elevators in facilitating people’s swift and efficient movement within the MTR system.
Meanwhile, I have sharpened my filming and storytelling skills, considering how I can make the content more accessible to viewers and evoke the feeling of stress and urgency that is often present in the MTR passages. For instance, moving the camera upwards, filming no-end-sight scenes, and a sealed environment, foster the feeling of being stressed and rushed.
Moreover, by conducting and filming in Central and Admiralty Stations in Island line, I have realized that the people of Hong Kong are constantly in a rush, prioritizing the value of time, but often leading to stress and a sense of urgency. This reflection led me to consider the changes we can make to reduce stress and urgency and prioritize what is most important to us.
Bibliography:
Chan, J. (2019). The Hong Kong MTR system: a world-class metro. Journal of Transport Geography, 81, 102475.
HKcitylife (2021). Hong Kong MTR Guide. Retrieved from http://hkcitylife.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=105_269_271&product_id=3102
Li, S. M., & Wong, S. C. (2020). The development of Hong Kong’s smart card payment system: from Octopus to mobile payment. Journal of Payments Strategy & Systems, 14(4), 329-344.
Ng, M. K. (2015). The role of the MTR in shaping Hong Kong’s urban form. Transport Policy, 44, 102-110.
Name: Lee Mun, Yeung
UID: 3035994949