In the context of the epidemic, the last thing we want to see is the failure of public space and the obliteration of communication between people.In the process of research, I am very happy to find that the vitality of the city is very strong, public spaces in housing estate is still used in various ways.
In the name of security and privacy, newly developed communities in Hong Kong are often closed, with an outer wall. The gate can only be opened with a password or a door card. With the monitoring of security and surveillance cameras, the community has become a closed structure.So I choose mei foo sun chuen as my site,a traditional open housing estate.
As Zhang mention in book Invisible Logic ,the types of housing in Hong Kong are monotonous, but the fillings can be extremely rich. The buildings are like some kind of frame type partitions, forming city rooms, that are, these public spaces. So what do people do in these city rooms?
I try to visit the same place at different times of the day, different days of the week, and record with my camera how people use public space? Or not just people, but other animals and plants.Public space provides entertainment space for nearby residents, living space for homeless people, social space, shopping space, walking space for people, and habitat space for birds, stray cats and plants.
What moved me most was that one day, two flightless birds fell from the trees into the bushes. Many passers-by stopped when they heard the cry for help from the big birds and tried to send the birds home together. I think this is a good demonstration of the significance of public space. The two birds promote the communication between residents and get the help of residents at the same time.
I also met high school students who had lunch together at noon who didn’t choose to go home and stay in the cool room and watch their mobile phones. Instead, they stayed with their classmates in the sun. There are Filipino servants who have dinner together on Sunday, grandpas who read newspapers under trees, grandmas who comb dogs’ hair, etc. They have found different ways to use the same public space, which is very touching,especially under epidemic.
It is a wise thing to share the precious outdoor living resources. We share our own public space and get more people’s public space, as Huang said. In addition, the pursuit of a clean public space may make the atmosphere too serious and terrifying. It’s better to attract more people to come in and make the space more vivid. Documentary director Chen once said that if a person has no hope of living, he should go to the wet market. The noise and liveliness there will give him courage to revive.I think public space have the same function.
If we compare home to a nest,then housing estate is branch of tree, which is closely linked with family happiness.Let’s pay more attention on public area, and begin with watching this chronological montage video!
References
Zhang Weiping,Invisable logic,Commercial Press Hong Kong,p156-158.
Huang Huasheng,Observe the urban of Hong Kong,Huixun Press,p79.
Chen Xiaoqing,Once Upon A Bite,Zhongxin Press,P2.
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