PUBLIC SPACE FOR THE URBAN POOR: A STUDY ON THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC SPACES IN SHAM SHUI PO, HONG KONG

Abstract

In Hong Kong, about 40% of its land is allocated to be used as country parks. Due to urban development, massive high-rise urban towers has turned Hong Kong into a “concrete forest” (Chan, 2014) with only a few decent open space found in the urban area. While the city is expanding, there is also a continuously growing population and minorities that are often left behind unable to catch up with the fast-changing pace. Therefore it is a need to review on how urban spaces can meet the needs and improve the lives of the urban poor. Accessible public spaces are crucial for the urban poor and homeless, as they can serve as venues for various needs, such as socializing, leisure activities, and casual business (World Habitat Day, 2015). For population without access to adequate housing, jobs and other important necessities, public space needs to provide space for informal economic activities and recompense for the lack of proper housing. However, a great deal of current public spaces were explicitly designed in particular ways to prevent people from overstaying their welcome there—sleep or even rest is not encouraged. Forceful security measures are also sometimes applied. (World Habitat Day, 2015). This dissertation aims to explore and review the problems and shortcomings of the existing public space condition in Hong Kong and how the current design of public spaces can be improved to include and enhance the social quality of life of the urban poor.