[Field-Homework 3] Fragmented City – Dai Pai Dong and neighborhood

Fragmented City – Dai Pai Dong and neighborhood

Director: Chen Haodong

UID:3035974030

Video Link:https://youtu.be/FNtTewVauXs

This video explores the diminishing presence and cultural impact of Dai Pai Dongs in Hong Kong, specifically focusing on the ones located on Stanley Street. Once a vibrant symbol rooted in Hong Kong’s bustling local culture, as well as places for neighborhood to thrive. Nevertheless, these traditional open-air food stalls are now facing irresistible  extinction due to factors such as urban redevelopment, changing dining habits, and regulatory challenges.

Stanley Street, situated in Central Hong Kong, is historically significant for hosting these stalls. The location is nestled in the neighborhood on the west side of the mid-level escalator, close to major thoroughfares like Queen’s Road Central, Hollywood Road, and Aberdeen Street. It serves as a vital link between business and residential areas, a melting pot of diverse social classes. Moreover, it acts as a crucible where living cultures and commercial cultures interact and evolve. Although it once teeming with over 30 Dai Pai Dongs, now shelters only a handful, making it a poignant reflection of broader cultural shifts. The video captures the essence of this transformation, highlighting the food stalls’ unique operation, their role in the community, and their struggle against modern pressures.

In this video, we will reference reports from the past period and have conducted a long-term tracking of urban planning around Stanley Street, reflecting the challenging living conditions Dai Pai Dongs have faced over time. At the same time, we conducted surveys with some passersby, allowing them to express their views and experiences regarding Dai Pai Dongs, emphasizing the importance of these stalls to urban culture, community relationships, and city history.

The research for this video was conducted through a mix of desktop research, site observations, and survey, following a structured methodology adapted from Chris Johnston’s framework for assessing social significance. Initial desktop research provided a historical background and current status of Dai Pai Dongs, especially focusing on Stanley Street.

Site visits were conducted to capture the daily operations of the stalls, the interactions between owners and patrons, and the overall atmosphere. Observations helped identify the ways these places are used and cherished by the community.

Surveys played a crucial role, with unstructured discussions with stall owners to delve into the history and personal narratives associated with their Dai Pai Dongs. Surveys with passers-by and neighbors helped quantify community perceptions, values, and the potential impact of losing these cultural landmarks. The diverse viewpoints gathered helped create a comprehensive picture of the Dai Pai Dongs’ significance and the community’s attachment to them.

The findings reveal a deep-seated emotional and cultural connection between the community and the Dai Pai Dongs of Stanley Street. These stalls are more than just places to eat; they are repositories of collective memory, markers of identity, and symbols of a culturally vibrant age in Hong Kong’s fast-evolving urban landscape.

The gradual disappearance of Dai Pai Dongs is not just a loss of a dining option but a severance of a cultural thread that has woven through the community for decades. Many residents expressed a profound sense of loss, not just for the food but for the communal experiences and the unique, easy-going atmosphere these stalls fostered. As Dai Pai Dongs disappear, the buffer zone between residential and office areas in the Central CBD is shrinking, and the soil for neighborhood culture is gradually diminishing, making commercial civilization and daily life seem increasingly out of place. Perhaps reclaiming the land used by Dai Pai Dongs could create more commercial space, but how much is being lost from the spiritual habitats that exist in people’s minds?

I strongly underscores the urgency of integrating these cultural assets into modern urban planning and heritage conservation efforts. It calls for a balanced approach that respects the past while accommodating the future, ensuring that the soul of Hong Kong’s street food culture continues to thrive amidst change.

 

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