Theme:
Architecture exists not only above the surface of ground but also underground. Some networks are hidden but also a crucial and busy network to be reckoned with. There are over 330 pedestrian subways distributed in districts throughout Hong Kong. (1)These tunnels are crowded with passengers everyday. People come and go, except those who are lost.
The impression I had on the epidemic is about “hopelessness”, “age of darkness” and “uncertainty”. However, we eventually evolved from this virus and developed a new way to live our lives these days. Suddenly, the news about the expulsion of the homeless from the Tai Kok Tsui pedestrian subways just came to my mind.(3) Why can’t these homeless stay where they are? It is obvious that we cannot stop inside the pedestrian subways, it is a tunnel connecting two places. We can see in the video that the side of the tunnel is full of plastic fences, they are used for blocking the stay of homeless people. During the peak period of Covid-19, we felt lost like these homeless and a lot of time we were forced to stay indoors, stay where we didn’t belong.
Uncertainty
According to research made in 2013, subway advertising is highly effective in Hong Kong. Passengers are kept inside the subway involuntarily, thus developing a regular passenger base.(2) This implies that the subway is something we always pass through that leads us to different destinations in Hong Kong. Sometimes, these subways are unavoidable if we are going to certain places. We have to face the virus involuntarily and be forced to pass through this dark age. Everything seems uncontrollable and helpless. We were stuck in a tunnel where we couldn’t see the sky and world. The tunnel is too long to walk through, and the journey seems endless till we see hope and the sky again.
Connectivity
Researchers who study the three-dimensional pedestrian network of Hong Kong are using Betweenness Centrality as a criteria to measure the value of the subway network. (4) This shows that subways are built by calculating their connectivity between places in the city. They are trying to link up spots and create the shortest way to the destination. We often see covid as an obstacle, as a limitation to our daily lives. However, we neglect the opportunities it brought us. It can be the quickest way to boost the development of certain industries and the world such as online communicating tools and medical technology, connecting us to an unexpected destination and a new Era.
During the covid, we are all inside this tunnel, some of us keep walking and walking, some of us stay and get lost. As a homeless person, they may stay in the tunnel because they do not know where they belong, just like us. After they were turfed out, what would be waiting for them? No one knows but only them. What I know is we are gradually walking out from this darkness and uncertainty, getting used to the light and sky, the new way of living.
Research method:
Hypothesis
The process of passing pedestrian subways is as similar as the process of going through Covid-19 pandemic disease. We walk past uncertainty and darkness in the tunnel, just like when the epidemic is serious. However, the uncontrollable and hidden process connects us with new destinations.
Method of producing the video
After having a rough hypothesis about the pedestrian subways, I read some academic research about subways in Hong Kong. Having a more clear concept towards basic usage and information about these tunnels, I went to take videos in the Tai Kok Tsui pedestrian subways. The observations, video footage and pictures I got from the field trip helps me to combine data in readings with actual situations. Back home, I wrote the script and essay first. Later, I started editing my video, adding voice-over and music makes the message even more obvious with the atmosphere created.
Reflection:
Due to weather conditions these days, the trip was not able to be done according to schedule. I have learnt the importance of having several back-up plans and preparing more time for unexpected situations for field trips. During the shooting process, it’s unfortunate that there is no crowd inside the tunnel. I was not able to film the others passing and I should consider the time affection such as going to the tunnel during busy hours.
References
- Burnett, J. (2004). Design and performance of pedestrian subway lighting systems. Tunneling and Underground Space Technology, 19(6), 619-628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2004.03.001
- Chan, K. & Fung, M. (2013). Effectiveness of Subway Advertising in Hong Kong. Journalism and Mass Communication, 3(12), 486-501.
- Fight for justice. (2023, March 2). 大角咀櫻桃街隧道翻新 約10露宿者被逐. Stonesoup Communication. https://apostlesmedia.com/2023/03/02/0302-a/
- Sun, G. & Webster, C. & Zhang X. (2021). Connecting the city: A three-dimensional pedestrian network of Hong Kong. Urban Analytics and City Science, 48(1), 60-75. 10.1177/2399808319847204
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