DMatters September 2018 Issue
Re-defining Urban Identity through Public Space Design
Almost all leading metropoles have its world-class, signature public space — the Central Park in NYC, Cheonggyecheon in Seoul, Circular Quay in Sydney, etc. These public spaces form the anchor of the city and draw all walks of life together. Riding with the tide of historical preservation, many old or abandoned urban spaces such as water canals, railroad sections or sports arenas are remodelled into usable public spaces. The results are more than face-lifting, but bring about a fundamental change to the city’s vibe and lifestyle.
The vital function of public space in connecting urban souls has been expounded in contemporary cultural discourse — whether it’s in German sociologist Jürgen Habermas’s seminal theory of the public sphere or Georg Simmel’s notion of urban strangers. Public spaces act as a viewfinder for learning about the community. For example, the award-winning public park Superkilen in Copenhagen is filled with objects and facilities from around the globe, establishing the diverse cultural identities of its neighbourhood.
The High Line in NYC is an exemplary public space that has redefined a community. Located on the West Side of Manhattan, the High Line used to be an abandoned railroad section which has now been rejuvenated into New Yorkers’ favourite leisure destination. Visitors can jog, people-watch and take in the stencil arts lining both sides of the boardwalk. The mastermind behind the rejuvenation project, James Corner, CEO of James Corner Field Operations, shared his design philosophy in our Knowledge of Design Week (KODW) in June. The once-dilapidated industrial neighbourhood has been transformed by the High Line into a safe and liveable community full of artist lofts. The local communities even organise bottom-up stargazing activities and offer free soup on the High Line to facilitate cross-cultural exchange. Currently, James is working on the master plan of Qianhai, Shenzhen, where five green belts known as the “green fingers” will intercalate the whole area to form an environmental friendly skeleton for future development.
Quality public spaces are also burgeoning all across Asia. Justin Yu, Co-founder of Plan b, has reinvigorated abandoned pocket-sized spaces and a sports arena in Taiwan with his team. By placing some thoughtfully designed modular playground structures in underused public spaces, they have turned these places into popular parks among young parents and children. People can adapt the poles of the modular structure and improvise basketball hoops, swings or hammocks of their own accord. The flexible playground structures cater to the diverse needs of users. It also brings vivacity and security back to the ageing neighbourhoods.
Back in our home city, Hong Kong, public recognition of the role of open spaces is also growing by leaps and bounds. Markus Shaw, Chair of Walk DVRC Limited, is taking on a formidable challenge to pedestrianise Des Voeux Road Central. Located at the heart of our CBD Central, the hustling artery is currently a battleground between buses, pedestrians, stores and construction work all scrambling for space. Markus envisions a redesigned Des Voeux Road Central which will connect cultural spots in the area and become a valuable public space for citizens. On a Sunday afternoon in 2016, they pulled off the first experiment ever to turn the road into a car-free zone. Walk DVRC has launched an open competition this year to call for design proposals. The winner will take the stage and present their plan at the upcoming Business of Design Week (BODW) in December.
All in all, public space provides an essential platform for city dwellers to meet and learn about each other. It embraces differences and sparks conversations. The ultimate goal is to provide an arena where diverse people cross paths and synergize for a better world. Perhaps this is also the essence of cities.
In this issue of DMatters, we are hopping into the DIP Quarterly Networking Session to meet some new friends. We will also explore Hong Kong fashion at Kulture Salon 11 and see how design thinking can be applied in education at the IDK Workshop for teachers.
Further readings:
An in-depth study of the changes brought by High Line from Public, a public interest design journal
http://publicjournal.online/the-high-line-effect/
Plan b’s Park Up initiative, which transforms small open spaces
https://www.theplanb.cc/parkup/
A walking tour map of Des Voeux Road Central and its surrounding neighbourhoods, created by Walk DVRC
http://www.walkdvrc.hk/upload/files/research/20180730052634_86.pdf
Click here to read the full issue of DMatters September 2018.