PB 001 Title Have a Seat. Own the Park – A Community Project in Yau Ma Tei Author Hong Kong Public Space Initiatives Text Adrian, Caroline, Danica, Dominic, Gary, Helen, Kanic, Keith, Leo, York Cartoon Wayne Editor Caroline, Dominic, Kanic Design Underwater Production

Publisher Hong Kong Public Space Initiatives Publication Date June 2015 Categories Social Science, Urban Planning, Architecture

Not for Sale Copyright © All rights reserved. Envisioning Spaces. Engaging Lives.

www.hkpsi.org HKPSI

info @hkpsi.org HKPSI About Hong Kong Public Space Initiative Think Tank Team

“Hong Kong Public Space Initiative” The Think Tank Team of HKPSI is (HKPSI) is a non-profit making formed by professionals from different charitable organisation set up by a discipline. Through carrying out ex- group of young people working in periments, studies and community different professional fields. Through participation, it hopes to break through community participation activities, the traditional planning methods educational activities and academic and create public space that meets studies, our organisation brings to the people's ideal. different sectors of society knowledge about public space so that Hong Kong Last year, HKPSI conducted a people will better understand the year-long project in Yau Ma Tei. Using meaning and importance of public street interviews, focused discussion, space. public voting, public art participa- tion and other activities, it designed HKPSI believes that engaging public a successful public space together life should be the starting point of with the residents of Yau Ma Tei. At pubic space: if there is no public life the same time, HKPSI studied the in public space, it will be like a body conditions required for residents’ without a soul. It exists but is not “ideal public space”, and merged the living. conditions with community art and city street furniture to create a vision for public space through a bottom up approach. 「拓展公共空間」與威廉懷特 （William H. Whyte, 1980） 分享著相似的理念：

HKPSI shares a similar ideology of Mr William H. Whyte, 1980:

Public spaces as expression of human endeavor and artifacts of the social world are the physical and metaphysical heart of the cities, thus providing channels for movement, nodes of communication and common ground for cultural activities.

William H. Whyte, 1980 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Let’s begin

008 First experience in the community

016 Big discovery

028 Universal suffrage of chairs

044 CHAPTER 01 CHAPTER 02 CHAPTER 03 CHAPTER 04 experiments atpark Moveable chairs: CHAPTER 05 074 Paint ityour way CHAPTER 06 094 Party atthepark CHAPTER 07 118

Let's Begin

008 009

How should we begin to review the development of Hong Kong’s public space? Right from the beginning of the establishment of HKPSI, it has given itself the duty of promulgating to the public the meaning and importance of public space. This year, our Think Tank Team hoped to revamp the public space of Yau Ma Tei district through an innovative experiment on public space and a series of community engagement activities. This one-year- long “Own Your Park” project was therefore formulated.

010 011 Choosing Yau Ma Tei

Why did we choose to carry out this pre-war old-styled 6-storey residen- experimentation project in Yau Ma Tei? tial buildings, buildings of more than And what was the role played by this 10 stories that were built later, as well district in the topic of public space in as redevelopment projects such as 8 our city? First of all, Yau Ma Tei has Waterloo Road. All these continued a long history. As early as 100 years to bring changes to the population ago, Chinese people began to live in structure of Yau Ma Tei. Besides, the district, creating a prosperous there are plenty of local economic market place. The district also activities with special characteristics, witnessed the changes in the Chinese such as herbal tea shops, fruit market, community in Hong Kong over the palmistry fortune telling stalls, metal last 100 years. As at today, Yau Ma and wood shops, kitchenware shops, Tei is a matured district. It is a rare bazaars, restaurants and cinemas, phenomenon that while the district congregating to form a “cultural life draws numerous overseas tourists museum” of Yau Ma Tei. ever year, it can still preserve its unique local characteristics. However, with the continuing rede- velopment projects in Hong Kong, The multi-faceted characteristic of how can these characteristics be Yau Ma Tei can be seen from the preserved? How can this diversified structure of its population. According community continued to be developed to the 2011 Census, non-Chinese harmoniously? The Central Kowloon residents amounted to 21.6% of the Route, the nearby Hong Kong Station entire population of the district (cal- of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong culating on the Tertiary Planning Kong Express Rail Link and the Unit 225), which was more than three West Kowloon Cultural District to be times the ratio of 6.3% in the whole completed in the near future are set to of Hong Kong. Apart from their bring more changes to this old district. different nationality, they also spoke It will be even more difficult to engage different languages, for example, the different community groups in the Putonghua, Hokkien, English, Filipino, district while preserving local char- Indonesian etc. They amounted to acteristics. Therefore, we decided to 22.4% of the district’s population and carry out the experiments on public the figure more than doubled the space in Yau Ma Tei, with the aim of 10.4% of people using non-Cantonese enhancing the cohesion of this lovely as daily language in the entire Hong and diversified community through in- Kong. As for land use and architec- tegrating public art into the district. tural characteristics, you may find Starting with chairs

All along, HKPSI believes if a district to be brought by chairs. In fact, in lacks an ideal piece of public space, all the stages of street interviews, engaging the community will be empty voting and observation last year, we talk. Public space is important because proceeded steadily and learnt a lot it serves as a platform for people to from the people and incidents we en- set up inter-personal relationship. We countered. believe the construction of ideal public space can be started by using the most Pubic space and community life go natural method. Therefore, we started hand in hand. In order to deepen from one of the most indispensable our understanding of the district, we facilities in the park, chairs. Through searched every corner of the streets to public art, we changed the seats that look for stories behind the old shops people had got used to, sparked off and the neighbourhood, and interacted their imagination and brought about a with families of different ethnic different public space. minorities in the park. Apart from understanding the residents’ living However, in the process of carrying habits, we also created a wide network out this experiment, it was inevitable in preparation for the future “chair that people inside or outside the team painting workshop” and the “party at casted doubt on the impact of changes the park”.

012 013 THE PROCESS

ch 02 ch 03 ch 04

Street interviews Focused discussion Universal suffrage

The process of mutual Arouse residents’ understanding: interest and encourage them to give their views: Get to know the community, understand the residents’ Spark off residents’ imag- life and their views towards ination about chairs in the public space and their parks. usage pattern. Let residents take part in Let the community know us the easiest way and create a cordial rela- tionship. ch 05 ch 06 ch 07

Experiments on Carnivals and public space Creative workshop other activities

Putting residents’ Invite residents to become Recreate a public space wishes into actuality: designers and creators: that belongs to everyone:

Act according to the To experience how the Use the most natural way residents’ wishes. Put the residents and artists work to integrate public art abstract concept into an hand together in the de- into pubic space and the actual design of chairs in the velopment of public space community. park by the professionals. by completing a piece of public art with the district’s Let residents feel and enjoy Use experiments to obtain characteristics: a chair in the changed public space. users’ feedback both openly the park. and discretely.

014 015

First experience in the community

016 017 First experience in the community

Every year in various places in the develop public art projects that suit world, there are different projects to the local situation. enhance community cohesion through public art. Innovative art became Therefore, in applying artistic the best medicine to engage the innovation and using the most community. Some of these projects negligible chairs in public space to succeeded, some failed. When we add vitality and interaction in the saw the successful cases, apart community, we had to start from un- from getting excited, we would also derstanding the living pattern, habits consider whether or not they could be and preferences of different persons implemented in Hong Kong. However, in that community. In Chapter 01, we we understood that different villages analysed the population characteris- had their own rules. The successful tics of Yau Ma Tei district. This is a examples from overseas could not be complex community, with many elderly simply reproduced. Only by working residents who were over 60 years old, from the community and understand- plenty of ethnic minorities residents, ing its people and practices, could we and numerous young families moving into the district. In order to better first recorded the interviewees’ char- understand the lives of different acteristics so that we could categorise groups of people in the community, the major user groups of public space we conducted street interviews with in Yau Ma Tei. The interview mainly residents in different public space in comprised three parts. The first part Yau Ma Tei, such as parks, roadside was aimed mainly on understanding and small alleys. the interviewee’s life, such as whether or not they were residents of Yau Ma Very often, street interviews made Tei, the place where he/she had gone one think of surveys by standardised before coming to the public space, and questionnaires, with interview- where they would go afterwards. The ers bombarding interviewees with aim was to understand the role played questions and interviewees giving less by public space in their lives. The than serious replies. To avoid such second part was about the conditions situations, most of our questions were and practices of their usage of the inspiring questions and the interviews public space, such as what activities were conducted in a chatting format. they would conduct there, the reasons We discussed livelihood, parks in Yau for choosing this public space and Ma Tei and then their experience in what improvement they believed the different public space. Our aim was public space needed. The third part to make every interview practical was about the public space they liked instead of merely stale statistics. We best. This was aimed at understand- hoped to collect information of the ing their preferences in public space. people in the district on the one hand, We conducted the street interviews in while igniting their imagination about the summer of 2014 and completed 59 public space through discussion on interviews in the public space of Yau the other. Before the interview, we Ma Tei.

Yau Ma Tei is a complex and diversified community

018 019 Characteristics of people using public space

Diversified, but mostly elderly, followed by mothers and children

A B C D E

Elderly Family Workers Children/ Tourists Youth

Tourists 3% Children/Youth 7%

Workers Elderly 24% 47%

Family 19%

Results of the streets interviews Tei, including the elderly, families, showed that the elderly was the youth, workers and tourists, reflected most often seen group in the public that Yau Ma Tei was a diversified space in Yau Ma Tei. Among the 59 community. Comprising residential interviewees, about half of the inter- units, commercial activities as well viewees or 28 were elderly persons. as touristic spots, the community had The second biggest group was the a number of roles to play. Such a di- 14 persons working in nearby areas. versified background made one aware Besides, there were 11 groups formed that in designing a public art project, by mothers and their children, while the target group was not a single the remaining interviewees were group of people. Attention should be youth and tourists. The fact that given to meet the need of the different different groups of people could be groups of people. found in the public space of Yau Ma The path to public space

Many people went to the public space for activities on purpose, not as a random act.

Coming to the park from where: Places to go after leaving the park:

Home (44%) Home (68%)

Fruit Market Friends’ house Jordan To meet friends in Mongkok Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei area To meet friends in Yau Ma Tei Nearby places where he/she did the shopping To eat potted rice After worshipping the god and buying vegetables Ko Shan Theatre

Other replies Supermarket Other replies Buying vegetables or going home Hong Kong Island Sham Shui Po After going to the teahouse Hong Kong Island Nearby Market Market Going to the park Leaving the park Tuition study Library Office Home in Central and Western district School Office After taking children from school

The results of the street interviews 30% of them went there with the main showed that most of the users of the purpose of using that public space. public space in Yau Ma Tei lived in the For them, the public space was an district and about 80% of them lived in obvious destination and not a place Yau Tsim Mong district. This showed for random visit. This showed the the close relationship between public importance of public space in the life space and the life of the district’s of the district’s resident. Therefore, residents. Besides, the activity route injecting art and innovation into public of the users before and after going to space is a good channel to enhance the public space showed that about relationship in the community.

Places where the interviews were conducted

The space outside Broadway Cinematheque By the side of Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre The garden inside Prosperous Garden Yau Tsim Mong Pet Garden The garden near the old Chinese Banyan Tree Battery Street Rest Area Waterloo Road/Canton Road Rest Garden Arthur Street Temporary Playground Portland Street/Man Ming Lane Rest Area Man Ming Lane Rest Area Public Square Street Rest Garden Temple Street/Kansu Street Temporary Rest Garden Saigon Street Playground Ning Po Street/Shanghai Street Rest Garden Shanghai Street/Market Street Playground

020 021 Major activities in public space

The majority of them were passive activities which were mostly passive interac- tion. There was comparatively less active interaction. 60 20% 13 7 % % % OTHERS REST CHAT PLAY

The second part of our interview Sometimes they might discover was mainly aimed at studying the handsome boys and pretty girls, or conditions and habits of residents’ use they might see suspicious persons. of public space. The results showed In the former case, they would feel that about 60% of them chose to take enchanted, while in the latter case, a rest in the public space, 20% of they might be frightened. This kind of them chatted in the parks and the rest observation, staring and eye contact mainly walked the dog, ate, waited for might be comparatively passive but friends and used their phones. Most it was also a kind of interaction. In of these activities were passive ones. the public space of Yau Ma Tei at the The users did not need to interact with moment, there was more passive in- others and they could carry out the teraction and less active interaction. activities on their own. Looking at the We hoped that the chairs we designed results superficially, we might think could on the one hand improve in- that the activities in public space were ter-personal interaction and reinforce mainly passive and there was a lack of community cohesion, and on the other, interaction. However, following close satisfy some residents’ hope that they observation, we found that this was not could enjoy the pleasure of solitude. the fact. Although the users seemed Therefore, our design needed to to be taking a rest, they in fact would encourage interaction, but at the same observe the environment of the public time allow people to enjoy privacy. space and the action of other people. Points for improvement in public space

One-third of the interviewees thought chairs in the parks needed improvement, including the shortage in number and the heat absorbance of material used to make the chairs. Details such as the material used to make the chairs affected users’ feeling about the public space. Whether the seats were comfortable or not was a big concern.

At the same time, we studied the However, what is comfortable varies reasons why the interviewees chose the from person to person. In the particular public space. Convenience in interviews, some went to the public location was the reason picked by most space because of the shaded areas of the interviewees, covering over 40% there while others went there mainly of them. About 30% of the interviewees for sun bathing. Besides, the degree went to the parks because of the chairs of comfort might change with time. As provided there, while 16% went there to the interviews were conducted in the meet friends. Those who came because summer, the interviewees of course of the better ventilation in the park and focused on shade and ventilation. In the shaded areas amounted to 10% the winter times, the interviewees each. As for what should be improved might think that it was too cool in the in the public space, about one-third public space. Therefore, in designing of the interviewees believed that the the chairs, we had to consider how to chairs in the parks needed improve- cater for different persons’ different ment. Some thought the number of need for comfort and the possibility chairs was inadequate while others said that the need might change with time. the material used to produce the chairs The product designers had to use their was too heat absorbent. All these wit to design products that could meet results showed that the chairs played the need of different users. Of course, an important role in public space and the designers had also to consider it was appropriate for us to start our the cost and the questions related to work with the chairs. Thinking more practical use. As there were many deeply, the reasons for their choice elderly persons in Yau Ma Tei, the and improvement suggestions were all chairs that we designed had to be related to the chairs’ degree of comfort. convenient to use, and meet the need Therefore, designing comfortable chairs of different persons in different times. was a basic requirement. 022 023 Despite their small size, the public space in the district won the favour of many residents.

Coming to the third part of the and could not provide different recre- interview, we chatted with the inter- ational and sports facilities. But, must viewees about the public space that a small park be dull? We hoped that they liked best. Many interviewees through this project, using innovative preferred regional public space of and artistic chairs, we could add fun to larger size, such as the Hong Kong the public space in the district. On the Zoological and Botanical Gardens and other hand, many interviewees’ best the Kowloon Park. They liked them liked public space was the one they mainly because these parks provided were in during the interview. Their diversified facilities to cater for various sentiment for the community was kinds of activities and therefore, more encouraging and our artistic project interesting. Yau Ma Tei was densely was exactly aimed at revealing and populated. Most of the public space in promoting such sentiment. the district was “small but beautiful” Own Your Park questionnaire

Describe the interviewee’s characteristics (e.g. age, sex, work, persons with him/her)

A man going to work in suit, about 40 years old. Resident of the district?

No. Kwai Fong district. Place of interview

Market Street Playground. The place he/she went before coming to this public space

Office (in Kansu Street) The place he/she will go after leaving this public space

Office (in Kansu Street) Time used in reaching this public space

A few minutes. Activities being undertaken in this public space

Came here during a break in office hours. Will sit for a while, take a rest and use the phone. Will not walk around. Why chose this public space?

Normally will go to a restaurant and eat. But wanted a sun bath today and did not want to stay in an air-conditioned place all the time. How does this public space make you feel?

Good for taking a rest. There is no special activity. It is quite clean here. What kind of improvement does this public space need? There should be different kinds of chairs e.g. long benches and individual seats to meet the need of different persons. Metal or plastic chairs are the best. Do not use wood, which will breed insects. How often do you go to public space? What kind of activities will you do there?

Once or twice a month . Not often . Normally will go to a restaurant. Which is the public space that you like/hate most?

I like the podium of Metroplaza in Kwai Fong. Do not like dirty public space. How do you feel about movable street furniture? 024 Not suitable for Hong Kong. They will be stolen . 025 Through interviews, we started a dialogue with Yau Ma Tei residents. Through the street interviews, we of interaction among people in the personally investigated into Yau Ma public space as well as people’s Tei and felt the community’s diversity. different interpretation of comfort. How to cater to the need of different In providing choices and flexibility, persons became the leitmotif of our we had to identify simpler design to design. The results of the interviews cater for the many elderly persons in showed that public space played the district. On the other hand, our an important part in the life of the project had to add facilities and fun district’s residents. This gave strong to the district’s public space, so that impetus to our goal of fostering the residents would like the public space sense of belonging in the community even better. We should also provide a by adding artistic innovation into platform for persons who felt for Yau the public space. The interviewees’ Ma Tei to reveal their sentiment, in activities and preferences in public order to foster the sense of belonging. space made us understood that the Based on the above observation, design must provide different choices. we formally launched our public art We had to pay attention to the degree project. Let’s get started!

026 027

Big discovery

028 029 Venue COMMUNITY Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre

ENGAGEMENT Date SESSIONS 2 Saturdays in August 2014

Not just simply chatting

Street interviews were just the first group discussion, we considered how step of our getting familiarised with to group the participants with different this community. In order to get a more background, which discussion venue in-depth understanding of the different would be convenient for the participants groups’ views towards public space and how to create an atmosphere that and their need, we held two sessions would facilitate participants to speak of focus group discussion in August freely. If the activity was not convenient 2014 for residents to share their views for residents to take part or could not and hold more in-depth discussion. make them give their views without hesitation, it was not a successful focus The effect of focus group discussion group discussion. Therefore, we finally was different from that of the street decided to hold the discussion in the interviews. In designing the focus Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre, which was a major activity briefed the convener and secretary of centre for the residents and conve- each group on the background of the niently located because it was close to project and information about parks the “old Chinese Banyan Tree”, resi- in Yau Ma Tei in order to give them a dential areas, open bazaar, parks and deeper understanding and ensure that wet markets. they could lead the discussion effec- tively. On the day of the discussion, we Apart from choosing a convenient divided the participants into groups of location, we also made a lot of prepa- eight to ten persons, with the elderly ration beforehand. For example, our persons and other residents as the two group conducted on-site visits so that major categories. Thanks to the effort we had an initial understanding of of every convener, despite a slow start the district’s geographical location, for some elderly participants, the facilities, traffic, major buildings and conveners succeeded in fostering a even hot topics in the community. In casual atmosphere in which the par- order to facilitate the participants’ ticipants finally chatted like friends discussion, we prepared in advance or neighbours. We hoped that the simple maps. But, taking into consider- participants would not feel a sense of ation not every person knew how to read inequality. Their opinion was greatly maps, we printed many photos of the important and respected, regardless streets and parks in Yau Ma Tei so that of their academic level, years of the discussion could be practical and residence or sex etc. This atmosphere easily understood. Finally, we sought encouraged the participants to give district board members’ advice on how their views, while the conveners facil- they communicated with the residents. itated the discussion by maintaining Before the discussion started, we impartiality.

Tips on focus group discussion

When conducting focus group to teach theories on town planning discussion, simple and easily but to share participants’ personal understood background information experience and views, such as should be given. Use of too many what they would do in the parks, technical terms or jargons should what kind of improvement should be avoided, and the purpose of the be made in the parks etc. We discussion should be clearly set out. believed drawings might sometimes Otherwise, the participants would be better than words. Therefore, have difficulty in understanding and we provided pen and paper and be prevented from giving views. The encouraged the participants to put purpose of the discussion was not down their views in drawing.

030 031 Background of the Yau Ma Tei community

As we have said in Chapter 02, Yau Market Street Playground, were Ma Tei is a diversified community. located in the vicinity of the landmarks The venue chosen for the focus group of the community such as the old discussion, Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Chinese Banyan Tree and Yau Ma Tei Community Centre, and the venue Police Station etc. for the experiment, Shanghai Street/

Tin Hau Temple

02

Temple Street

Old Chinese Temple Banyan Tree Street Yau Ma Tei Open Carpark Building Bazaar 01

Expt Focus Shanghai Street Loca Group tion Public Square Street Public Square Henry G. Leong Shanghai Street/ Yaumatei Market Street Playground Community Football Centre

pitch Corridor Kowloon West Details of the focus group discussion

Venue 04 Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Yau Ma Tei Community Centre Jade Market Date Yaumatei 2 Saturdays in August 2014 Maternal and Child Format 8 to 10 persons in each Health Centre group. 2 major categories which consist of elderly and other residents.

Canton Road 03

Yau Ma Tei Police Station 01 02

03 04

WALK THROUGH YAU MA TEI

032 033 THIS IS WHERE OUR DIALOGUE BEGAN

Discovery during the chatting

After sharing views and the heated discussion, we drew up the conclusion on the questions and suggestions made by the participants according to (1) environment and management (2) activities and facilities (3) community engagement 034 035 The Environment and Management of Parks

Problem The noise made by park users 04 caused nuisance to nearby residents.

Suggested design As the noise pollution was caused by park users carrying out dancing and other activities, it was suggested that the space allocated for per- formances and activities should be situated further away from the residential areas and that trees be added in to separate the two areas. Facilities for passive activities (such as chairs and art installation) should be placed near the residential areas.

Problem Plants in the park were not attractive. 05 Suggested design It was suggested that different species of vegetation should be planted and that evergreen plants be added in, particularly those with nice smelling flowers such as Or- ange-jessamine, Arabian Jasmine, White Jade Orchid, Kwai-Fah, Mock Lime and Buddhist Pina. If seasonal flowers could be planted in the park, visitors could be reminded of the changing seasons. Part of the park might also be allocated for residents Problem to grow their own plants. 01 The park lacked space. Entrances were inadequate, some visitors might be unruly elements and the hygiene conditions were not satisfactory.

Suggested design The parks should adopt a more open design. Unnecessary fences and walls should be reduced. There should be more lighting and dark corners should be minimised during the design stage. This would help enhance the lighting and ventilation in the park. An open design would ENTRANCE also increase users' self-discipline, enhance security and improve en- START FROM HERE vironmental hygiene. This would in turn make users feel safe and increase the usage rate of the park. 01 02 03

o th park er 04 05 s

Problem Inadequate connection to the park 03 Suggested design 8 7 5 6 The number of directory signage 4 3 2 and maps should be increased. 1 Special city design features or land- scaping should be used on roads leading to various small parks in order to improve their connection. These small roads might also be designated pedestrian-only areas during holidays to link up the small parks for holding carnivals.

HKpSI

HK pSI

Problem For parks located near roadside or 02 flyovers, noise and air pollution was more serious.

Suggested design Taller plants should be grown where the parks were facing the roads. Noise barriers should be erected where flyovers were near to the 036 parks. 037 Activities, facilities and community cohesion

Problem Problem Interference between passive and Enhance community coherence 06 05 active activities. Suggested design Suggested design More space for performance and Separate areas should be designated activities should be provided in in the parks for passive and active order to create more opportunities activities. The design should be able for users to interact. The design to avoid the interference between of chairs should be conducive to the two kinds of activities, but at the chatting and discussion. Sand pools same time allow interaction between should be added in for children to them. For example, people resting or interact. They would also create op- eating in the parks should be able to portunities for children of different observe active activities such as ball races to come into contact. The games. There could be a designated design of parks should be able to area for ball games, or alternatively, enhance the interaction among they could be confined to a certain people of different age groups, as designated period of time. well as to incorporate the unique characteristics of Yau Ma Tei.

Problem Lack of vitality in the park. 02 Suggested design The addition of fountain and water features could increase the vitality of the park. It would be ideal if the water features could allow inter- action among users but the design had to take into account safety con- sideration. In park management, Problem

users should be encouraged to hold 01 The parks did not provide adequate activities there. Alternatively, the facilities, in particular those for the management of the parks should elderly and children. There was not organise/promote community enough steel structure for doing exer- activities in the parks. The design cise. Not many users ate in the parks. should allow flexibility for changes Suggested design in the usage of space according to It was suggested that more outdoor different period of time/festivals, fitness facilities, such as steel such as the holding of temporary structures for exercise, be built fairs. for use by the elderly and other visitors to the parks. There should also be more leisure facilities that could enhance children's creativity and prompt them to do exercise. Besides, the design of facilities for the elderly and children should be suitably integrated in order to encourage their interaction and at the same time avoid the interference between the passive/active activities of the two groups. 01 02 03

04 05 06

Problem There were not enough chairs /They 04 were not comfortable. Chairs for a group of people to sit down, chat and discuss were lacking. There was a lack of shaded areas and tables to go with the chairs.

Suggested design There should be a design for drainage in chairs, which should be shaded from the sun and rain. Circular chairs surrounding trees could be considered. There could also be installation art, such as wooden chairs extending from the ground or a design with connection to the ground surface. It would be better for chairs to come in a variety, for example, chairs for individuals and chairs for a group of people so that they could be used to meet the requirements of different persons. Tables could be installed for people to eat or put their belongings. Problem However, elderly people normally Pets had a right to use the space.

03 prefer the traditional chairs with However, larger pets might threaten a back. Chairs that were too low other users' safety. would make them difficult to stand Suggested design up after sitting down. The elderly There could be time restriction for also believed a long bench with use of the parks by pets in order separating hand rest was appropri- to avoid conflict with the children ate as the latter could deter street and the elderly. Alternatively, a sleepers from using the bench. designated area could be set up. For example, a fenced area could be set up in the park for pets to play while their owners were outside the fence. Facilities for pets could be added in, such as pet toilets, sand pools and litter boxes, in order to 038 keep the environment clean. 039 Sometimes our views were shared During the discussion...

Grandma Chan

views shared

Uncle Wong Grandma Lee

Chan Parks have always been like that. We used them all the same.

Wong Yes. It will be good to have more parks for us to take a walk.

Lee But I remember in the old days there were nice smelling flowers in the park. Nowadays, there seems to be none.

Chan Yes. Now you mentioned it. I remember as a child, when I passed by a small park on the way to school every morning there was a nice smell of White Jade Orchid. I felt happy every time I smelt the flowers.

Wong Yes yes. I can remember the fragrance of White Jade Orchid, but that memory belonged to many years ago. I really miss the nice smell from other flowers such as Jasmine and Mock Lime too.

Lee In fact, nice smell of a place can really give people a deep impression.. Sometimes we understood but disagreed with each other

Mrs Chan

Uncle Wong Understood but disagreed with each other

Uncle Cheung

Cheung I keep a dog. In fact I would like parks to allow dogs in.

Mrs Chan But dogs will make the place dirty and they will urinate everywhere.

Cheung That is because the owners are not civic minded. If everybody is civic minded, there will not be any problem.

Wong But there are not many civic-minded people like you. Even when there is no dog in the park now, the park is dirty.

Cheung In the end, it is a question of civic mindedness. Of course if there are more pet toilets, people will be more willing to take their pets there.

Mrs Chan That is right. Just like the case of rubbish bins. It they are found everywhere, you will not mind taking a few more steps to pitch the rubbish in.

040 041 Sometimes we came up with new options

Grandma Chan

Mrs Wong

Mrs Chan

Came up with new options Uncle Wong

Mr Lee Convener

MC

Mrs The chairs in the parks are not All That sounds good. In that case, Wong comfortable. I can sit anywhere I like.

Chan They are alright. They are Con- Then, can you think of any way always like that, nothing special. MC vener to minimise the chance of the They seem to be fine. chairs being stolen?

Mrs Sometimes the seats are too Mrs Get someone to watch over Chan small or separated too far away Wong them. from each other. If you want to sit down with a few friends and chat, it is not comfortable and Chan Round-the-clock? Watching inconvenient. Some of the seats over so many chairs? It will be are put in very sunny places. better to make them heavy. Con- What do you think if there are Mrs If they are too heavy to be moved vener MC movable chairs in the parks? Chan around, the original purpose will be lost. Do you think it will work if it is printed on the chairs that Chan That will not work. The chairs will be stolen in a day’s time. they are government property? In fact, nice smell of a place Lee There may be some deterrent can really give people a deep effect but that will be ugly. If we impression. are to do something, let’s do it beautifully. We can give them Mrs I am afraid the children will fall an artistic design that draws Wong from them, or use them to fight with each other. attention. If the chairs are taken out to the street, people will know that they are stolen chairs. Lee It will be ridiculous if they do not know how to sit on a chair. But Mrs That’s right. If everybody like they may actually be stolen. Wong these chairs, they will make a noise when they see them being Con- Putting aside the question of taken away. However, it may be MC vener being stolen, would you like better to store them away during chairs that can be moved around? the night. Entering a new stage

There was no right or wrong in the focus group. What was most valuable was to make the users speak their own mind and solve the problem with others, and for every participant to understand the need of others from the process. We were thankful to the participants who gave up their rest time on a Saturday to give us their valuable ideas! After the focus group discussion and street interviews, we had a deeper understanding of the need and characteristics of the Yau Ma Tei community. It was the time to enter the next stage: to let residents use their innovation in designing the chairs that they liked in the parks.

042 043

Universal suffrage of chairs

044 045 UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE

of ''What kind of chairs would you like in the parks?''

We collected some residents' views on chairs during the focus group discussion. We found that whenever the residents discussed this topic, their impression of the chairs in the parks was always the traditional fixed long benches, made of iron or wood. They could seat two or three persons, separated by hand rests.

046 047 01 02

03 04

05 06

01 a combined chair and table for people to work on 02 bean bags for leisure and chatting 03 chairs that are integrated into the venue 04 chairs that are linked to a fountain 05 chairs for people to lie down 06 chairs that make people sit properly This design is so deeply planted in people's mind. Was it because the design was what people liked best, or because people were made to think that chairs should be like that after seeing them on a daily basis?

Parks were venues for us to enjoy our public life. As part of the city furniture in parks, there should be different design for chairs to suit different purposes. A variety of design could also meet the preferences of different users. Just as we chose chairs for our homes, we would pick and choose carefully.

However, if someone asked you ''what purpose do the chairs in parks serve?'' or ''what kind of chairs in the parks would you like?'', how would you answer? It might be difficult to answer if you imagine wildly. When people went to parks in their daily life, they might just sit down by intuition according to the weather condition, environment and state of mind at that time, without considering the design of the chairs.

In fact, the residents' “intuition” was exactly the topic that we wanted to study. Therefore, we widely collected residents' preferences towards chairs and analysed the reasons behind. At the same time, we ignited their imag- ination about chairs in the parks and let them discover the many possibili- ties of chairs.

048 049

Stickers for plebiscite

Many of our targets are usual customers of parks in Yau Ma Tei: elderly people, children and families of ethnic minorities. To effectively collect data and ignite their imagina- tion about chairs at the same time, one had to put more effort in working out the details of the activity.

050 051 Firstly, we created 25 cartoons on chairs in the parks. Then we held a week-long exhibition and voting activity for residents to choose the design of the chairs that they liked best. The exhibition was held in the hall of a cinema in the district. Holding smaller display boards of the same design, the volunteers conducted the polling in the streets and parks of the district. To cast their vote, the residents simply used the stickers that we prepared and put it next to the design that they liked on the display board.

By using creative images, we showed to the residents the pos- sibilities for chairs and changed their traditional thinking. This was also the easiest and clearest way for residents to know the different designs. No matter they were adults, children or elderly persons, they could take part in the voting by putting stickers on inter- esting drawings. This was straight forward and fun. 052 053 The public can cast their vote by putting stickers on a small display board showing 25 cartoons on chairs in the parks. Watch out for the small team conducting plebiscite on chairs.

This design of opinion collection was particularly effective for the elderly, children and ethnic minority families in Yau Ma Tei. Although they were the major groups of park users, they thought their opinion was of the least importance because they were not professionals and knew nothing of design theories and jargons. They needed encouragement and to be interested before they were willing to give their views. A small exhibition on chairs in the parks.

054 055 Top 10 Favourite Sitting Objects

Obj01 Obj06 Shaded Bench Wood bench Most voters are interested A wood bench with a traditional into the shaded bench as the design caters the need for the climate of Hong Kong is humid people who choose safety as their subtropical which is hot and most important consideration. humid in summer. ITEM25 ITEM15

Obj02 Obj07 Lawn/Landform Movable Chair People can integrate into A movable chair provides the nature with the lawn and opportunities in place making and landform in a public space to social interaction by rearranging get rid of the stressful concrete seating and composition of the jungle. chair. ITEM05 ITEM01

Obj03 Obj08 Bench ard a tree Seesaw Lounging around with your best To experiment the law of gravity, friend under a bench around tree a seesaw is more than a chair for not only makes you closer to the you and your friends to spend an nature, but also your friend who afternoon. might be your +1. ITEM21 ITEM14

Obj04 Obj09 Swing Sleeping Bench Do you still remember how it was Lying on a sleeping bench under when you play with swings with the sun, taking a nap after a your friends? This swinging chair fruitful lunch, how wonderful it recalls our memory from the is! deep of our hearts. ITEM20 ITEM18

Obj05 Obj10 Water feature edge Water Pipe Water feature cannot only cool Have you ever thought about down the urban environment chatting, playing tricks with but also create a diversified friends in huge and funny water soundscape in a bustle city. pipes like how the cartoon characters do? ITEM24 ITEM10 ''Top Ten Favourite Chairs''

We created 25 styles of chairs for the plebiscite this time according to the sharing of life experience by the par- ticipants of the focus group discussion and the different examples worldwide. Apart from the practical long benches, we also hoped that the voters could think out of the box to consider some of the design of chairs seldom seen in Hong Kong, for example, big water pipes, chairs on wheels and wooden boxes etc. We wanted to know their acceptability of various designs and their opinion on new design concepts.

More than 900 votes were collected in the week-long activity. The top ten ideal chairs chosen in the voting activity were shown below. All of them carried their own characteristics and showed the residents' demand for comfort, fun and a natural environment.

056 057 有遮凳 shaded bench Shaded Bench Shaded weather, the With its sub-tropical is hot and rainy.summer of Hong Kong to voters the for natural only was It shading effect. prefer chairs with 01 SHADED BENCH 02 LAWN / LANDfoRM Lawn/Landform

Living in a concrete jingle every day, lawn and landform give the feeling of being in a natural environment and help people forget the mundane.

KEEP CALM AND VOTE 草 lawn/landform

058 059 ME

THREE! 圍住樹 bench around a tree bench around Bench around a tree around Bench down under a Chatting and cooling not only allows tree with good friends the plants, but also one to get close to start of the for provides an opportunity a romance. 03 Bench around a tree 04 Swing Swing

Still remember playing with the swing together with your brothers and sisters as a child? The swing that seemed to carry you into the sky brought back to many the good memories of childhood days....

韆鞦 swing

060 061 05 Water feature edge Water Feature Edge

In a hot and noisy city, water not only brings down the temperature but also brings nature into the busy city through its running sound.

WOW 水池邊 water feature edge 06 Wood bench Wood Bench

With its balanced and stable look, the traditional wood bench won the favour of matured and steady persons.

木長椅 wood bench

062 063 THEY look good 轆凳 moveable chair My choice! Movable Chair Movable were extendable Chairs on wheels to them move may You movable. and form them or like you location the They bring to the into various shapes. possibilities for public space unlimited one another. people to connect with 07 Movable Chair 08 Seesaw Seesaw

This is a chair that allows you to experience gravity with friends. It brings fun with the up and down movement and the opportunity for you to tease your friend with his/her weight.

I want to play too

搖搖板 seesaw

064 065 09 Sleeping Bench Sleeping Bench

Imagine you can find a chair to sleep on and just let the sun shine on you while enjoying a nap after lunch. How wonderful!

ZzzZZ

可瞓覺凳 sleeping bench 10 Water Pipe Water Pipe

As a child, when we saw the cartoon characters sitting on a large pipe to chat, play or take shelter from the rain, we used to think that the pipe is an interesting installation.

My Dream

I vote for this

水管 water pipe

066 067 Residents' concern

Apart from the residents' top ten or safe for the elderly and therefore favourite chairs, we also looked could not meet social need. at the common points among the least popular ones in order to better As for parents, nothing could draw understand the need and concern of more concern than their small the public. children who liked to run around or jump up and down. They had a Among the least popular choices, particular sense of crisis towards the there were chairs that could be easily folding chairs and chairs with a back moved around, such as foldable chairs which could be pushed down easily. and chairs with a back. They were They believed small children could not good chairs in the eyes of Yau Ma easily cause accident by pushing down Tei residents, who were worried that their chairs when playing around. they could easily be stolen or became They also worried that rough stone weapons for fighting gangs. would hurt the children.

Besides, people felt that the material In conclusion, the residents’ top and shape of iron bars, stone or even concern about chairs in the public boxes could not offer comfort. People space was on the aspects of COMFORT, also felt that they were not stable SAFETY and FUN.

COMFORT SAFETY FUN The five least popular chairs in the poll

I KNoW THAT FEEL, Bro!

Chair挨拼椅 with a back Box back chair 箱 LEAST POPULAR box

YAY! WE'vE MADE IT Foldable摺凳 chair To the foldable chair bottom 5!

石 Stonestone Iron bar 鐵通 railing

068 069 Your dream chair

After consolidating the features of the ten most popular chairs voted by the residents, we drew up the design criteria for producing the ideal chair:

Where's my DREAM chair?

Sigh. I've been sitting here for centuries thinking about how I can improve my chair. Can anybody give me some thoughts? 01 Shading Effect 02 Integrated with the natural environment Shading function Integrated with the natural environment The sunlit hours in the summer Hong Kong is a concrete jungle. are long in Hong Kong. Chairs In designing chairs, one should with a shading function provide a consider how to incorporate more comfortable environment elements of the nature in order for the users. to bring people closer to the natural environment as well as to integrate the users into the park. 03 04 Multi-functional Interesting Multi-functional Interesting Apart from allowing people to take By using special design such as a rest on it, a chair can also provide shape, material etc, the chairs other functions through the help can become people's talking of clever design. It may provide points. This can change people's practicality (adding a table to the mindset about chairs in the parks chair), artistic function (thematic and add fun to life. and colour design) and social function (increase inter-personal interaction) etc to suit people’s different need and allow diversified activities in the public space.

070 071 Experiment on the design prototype of chairs

After the street interviews, focus ences. This was conducive to finding group discussion and voting by the out different users' preferences in the residents, we came to understand the experiment. characteristics of the community and analysed the residents' preferences Besides, a chair on wheels was and concern. What followed was to different from other movable chairs, produce the design prototype of the such as foldable chairs and chairs chairs. with a back, which received the lowest votes. Was it because of its interesting In the design process, we not only had shape, or because it could also serve to consider the residents' need and as a table? How would the residents preferences, but also had to strike a make use of its function as a table in balance between our resources and the park? How should we solve the time before testing the residents' residents' concern about security and reaction to the design. safety?

Having considered the top ten Many people might have questions favourite chairs voted by the residents, about the safety and security issues we finally decided to use the chair of chairs on wheels. We would put on wheel as the design prototype. A the residents' favourite elements and movable chair on wheels was flexible concern into the design prototype and and the residents could move the chair then put the product in a park in Yau around according to their own prefer- Ma Tei for an experiment. I have an Is a chair on interesting shape? wheels safe?

Popular because I have a table?

Will it be stolen?

How will ? the residents use the table?

?

072 073

Moveable chairs: experiments at park

074 075 Sitting on the chair on wheels in the “laboratory”

If the chairs on wheels were placed in the public space, would they be stolen or damaged? Would they cause danger to the users? These were the biggest questions about putting chairs on wheels in public space raised by the residents during our interaction activities in the community. Therefore, HKPSI wanted to resolve these questions by holding an experiment on the chairs on wheels.

Using the results and views collected in the street interviews, the focus

SITTING ONgroup THE CHAIR discussion ON WHEELS and IN THEthe “LABORATORY” voting SITTINGSITTING ON ONactivity, THE THE CHAIR CHAIR HKPSI ON ON WHEELS designedWHEELS IN IN THE twoTHE “LABORATORY” “LABORATORY”chairs on wheels first. There were gliding wheels on both of the chairs, which could be moved around freely by the users. One design came with a table while the other was designed with a back. These chairs with gliding wheels and a table top were innovative street furniture, never seen in the public space of Hong Kong. The initial design and concept of a chair on wheels

076 077 How was a chair on wheels produced?

In the process of designing these two chairs on wheels, the HKHKPSI conducted detailed discussion and balanced the residents' need and concern that we learnt during the in- teraction activities. prototyping manufacturing Show time for the two chairs on wheels FINAL PRODUCT

078 079

The idea was originated from the public

The idea of putting wheels on public Apart from testing out the concept of chairs was originated from the local putting chairs on wheels in the public residents’ wish to conduct diversi- space, another important aim of the fied activities in the public space. We project was to bring art into daily life discovered from the street interviews and enhance community cohesion that Yau Ma Tei was a diversified through art. We had chosen the chairs community. Therefore, a chair on on wheels as the tool to achieve our wheels filled with flexibilities could target. The surface of the chairs on aptly fulfill the requirements of wheels was therefore deliberate- different users. Cooling down under ly left blank so that we could invite the trees, taking a rest under the sun, people in the community to paint the forming a circle with family/friends to chairs in the next activity involving the chat.... These were the possibilities public. We would see in the following enabled by the chairs on wheels, but chapter that the participants of the could not be fulfilled by traditional chair painting activity came from a fixed chairs. Every chair on wheels wide range of age and background. was designed as a single-seater, in Innovation poured out with the stroke order to meet the residents' require- of their painting brushes, giving every ment for privacy. However, the width chair designs filled with the character- of the seats could accommodate two istics of Yau Ma Tei. persons, allowing families, lovers, couples and friends more opportuni- ties to interact in the public space.

080 081 Consideration for professional design

Flexibility Safety Fun Comfort

To balance between Full of fun and comfortable flexibility and safety

The flexibility offered by chairs on Apart from designing a chair that wheels led to consideration on safety. balanced between flexibility and As the elderly and children were the safety, the designers of HKPSI also put major users of public space in Yau emphasis on the chair's outlook and Ma Tei, safety was our main concern. degree of comfort in order to respond Therefore, we decided to produce a to the residents' wish for more fun chair on wheels that was ''stable and and comfort in the public space. The heavy'' in order to strike a balance streamlined design for the two styles of between flexibility and safety. Firstly, chairs on wheels was one of the most on every chair on wheels, there were popular elements for modern design only two wheels on one side, instead and could make the chairs more com- of wheels in every corner. This fortable and add fun. Square pattern could prevent the chairs on wheels of different sizes were cut on both the from moving too freely in the public front and back of the chairs to add an space, and thus causing danger to the artistic and aesthetic element to the residents. Therefore, when the user chairs. There was a back on one of the wanted to move the chair, he had to lift designs in order to make it more com- up the chair on one side before moving fortable. Practicality was the starting it to the desired location. This design point for the other design, which incor- in effect added a ''safety lock'' to the porated a table top, a concept similar chairs on wheels. At the same time, to the chairs and tables often used in we put on every chair safety instruc- local secondary and primary schools. tion labels in both letters and drawing This design enabled the users to carry in order to let the users understand out more activities in the public space. the most proper ways to use the chairs These chairs were manufactured by on wheels. a design and production company of street furniture in Hong Kong, Program. The HKPSI would like to convey the deepest gratitude to Program for their support towards this activity. Both of the two designs for chairs on wheels can offer flexibility, safety, fun and comfort

rectangular pattern adding artistic element

ign es d d e

n i

l

m a e r t s

two gliding wheels on one side fixed axis

Label on moving method and safety

如何正確移動座椅 注意! HOW TO MOVE CORRECTLY CAUTION!

正確! 請勿爬上座椅 RIGHT! DO NOT CLIMB 先到沒有輪子的一邊 ON THE CHAIR 從旁邊抬起座椅 再推或拉動座椅 FACE AT THE SIDE WITH NO WHEELS LIFT UP THE CHAIR AT THE SIDE THEN PUSH OR PULL THE CHAIR 請勿在雨天時 使用座椅 DO NOT USE THE CHAIR WHEN IT IS RAINING 錯誤! WRONG! Lift up 直接推或拉動座椅 最高承重為100公斤 100KG DIRECTLY PUSH OR PULL THE CHAIR MAXIMUM LOADING one side first IS 100KG

then pull the chair

082 083 Starting the experiment

As early as in the design and During the two-week experiment, production process of the chairs we put in the Shanghai Street/ on wheels, the HKPSI started to Market Street Playground six chairs contact the Leisure and Cultural on wheels, three of each design, for Services Department (LCSD) to seek residents to experience in person the its permission for an experiment feeling of using them. The purpose on public space to be held in the of this experiment was to know Shanghai Street/Market Street the residents' reaction to putting Playground. As this two-week-long the chairs on wheels in the public activity was different from other playground and for us to understand activities usually held, or even outside the interaction brought by the chairs. the framework for activities usually Would the chairs on wheels be submitted to LCSD for approval, both used? Who would be the users of the sides used a lot of effort to com- playground and the chairs on wheels? municate. After LCSD had come to How would people use the chairs? understand the purpose and meaning What would be their views towards of this experiment, coupled with our the chairs? To get the answers for ceaseless effort to provide all the these questions, we asked volunteers necessary documents and detailed to inspect the playground before, arrangements for the experiment to during and after the experiment. The show that the risk involved had been volunteers had to observe the char- minimised, we finally obtained LCSD’s acteristics of the users, and collect approval one day before the scheduled data and information on the utilisation start of the experiment. Finally, the rate of the chairs and the visitors' experiment on chairs on wheels was utilisation pattern of the playground successfully held between September and the chairs on wheels. From the 30 and October 13, 2014. We were near 1000 persons who used the grateful for LCSD’s assistance and chairs on wheels during this two-week endorsement (at least they did not experiment, we observed some inter- object). esting phenomenon and discovered issues that we had not expected. Venue of the experiment on chairs on wheels

The Shanghai Street/Market Street only three benches in the shaded areas Playground was divided into two and no fixed bench was put in the sections. The southern part was a corner where the leisure facilities were basketball court while the northern located. The chairs on wheels under part was a park. There were two this experiment were put in the park entrances to the park, one connected and they could not be moved outside. to a small alley leading to Shanghai During the experiment, we deliberate- Street and the other leading to the ly arranged the chairs into different basketball court. Fixed benches were combination and put them in different placed at the edge of the park and locations of the park every day, in surrounding the flower beds at the order to attract the users and test out western part of the park. There were their preferences.

Time of the experiment on chairs on wheels September 30 to October 13, 2014

Number of participants 1000

084 085 Results of the experiment

In the two-week experiment, the reading, play and sleep. However, chairs on wheels were welcomed by we found that more than 90% of the the public. Over 40% of the park users users had not moved the chairs on had used the chairs on wheels, and wheels elsewhere. We were rather among them more than 30% used the surprised by this finding and believed chairs mainly for sitting and taking the following reasons might have led a rest. Other major usage included to the “immobility” of the chairs on eating, chatting, using mobile phones, wheels.

users used them mainly for 30% sitting/taking a rest

users did not move 90% the chairs elsewhere H E A v Y

The riddle of the “immobility” of the chairs on wheels

01 Design of the chairs As we had mentioned earlier, we deliber- ately designed heavier chairs out of safety consideration. If users wanted to move the chairs on wheels, they had to lift up the chair on one side and then pull it to the new location. This would be a hard task for the children and the elderly. Besides, the two gliding wheels on the chairs were not Hong Kong people’s practice conspicuous. People might not easily know 03 that they were movable chairs on wheels. Perhaps Hong Kong people had accustomed to behave in a fit and proper manner as Position of the chairs they had been using the parks under strict 02 paternal rules for a long time. They did During the experiment, we found that the not dare to move government property as most welcomed location for the chairs on this could be seen as “using government wheels was the shaded area under the trees property inappropriately”! Besides, most of in the children’s playground, where there the public furniture in Hong Kong was fixed. was not any fixed long bench. This was the People might not even have the concept or most ideal location because the sunlight idea of moving the government property. was shielded by the trees, allowing users to According to our observation, some people take a rest or conduct other activities com- curiously walked near the chairs on wheels fortably. At the same time, that location but left after examining them. Although we enabled the parents to sit down and watch put guidelines for use on every chair, many their children play in the playground. After people were not sure whether or not they we had put the chairs on wheels under the could use them. This showed that Hong trees, there was no incentive for users to Kong people normally would protect and move them elsewhere. treasure government property. 086 087 A comparison between before and after putting the chairs on wheels in the park

Statistics on park users Outer circle period in which the chairs on wheels were put in the park. Inner circle before and after the chairs on wheels were put in the park.

female chairs on w male Sex the h h ee ic ls h w w e n r i e

d efore a t b n h o d i d e r o a i f r e r t e e P e r P 38.9% 37.9% 62.1% 61.1%

chairs on w the h Age h ee ic ls h w w e n r i e

elderly d efore a t b n h adult o d i d e r o a i f r e r t e e Age P e r P 23.9% 41.4% 48.7% 13.8%

20.7%

children 17.7%

chairs on w Nationality the h h ee ic ls h w w e n r i e

d efore a t Chinese b n h o d i d e r o a i f r e r t e e P e r P 48.3% 61.1% Pattern of use Before and after Period in which the chairs on wheels the chairs on wheels were there were there

Alone/In group

Alone 58.6% 52.2%

In a group of 20.7% 30.1% two or more

Duration of stay in the park

Ratio of fewer than 15 minutes of stay 85.0% 76.8%

Average duration of stay 8.3 min 13.5 min

Ratio of using the chairs on wheels Not 68.0% applicable during the entire duration

The majority of people chose to sit down in more conspicuous locations, particularly the ones next to the leisure facilities and shaded areas.

088 089

Love grows with time

Although the chairs on wheels were some even put their heads near the often in an “immobile” state during rectangular openings. The chairs on the experiment, we believed the wheels were welcomed by the parents experiment had given the residents because they could sit on the chairs a brand new feeling towards public and watch closely over their children space, and had added fun to the park. who played the seesaw and merry-go- round. We saw a father who helped his When the experiment was first started, daughter with her homework. When the residents were very curious. she had finished and went at once Seeing the six new white chairs, to play in the playground, the father they all went to watch the chairs for continued to inspect her homework on a while, but many of them did not the chairs on wheels. We could feel dare to sit down. However, after the that the value of the chairs did not lie experiment had started for some time, solely in the flexibility that it offered, people slowly got used to the chairs but also in that they encouraged the on wheels and began to explore the co-existence of active and passive possibilities of using them. We saw users of the public space, and allowed children starting to play near the them to interact in the same time span chairs. They played hide and seek and space. in the lower part of the chairs, while 090 091 Playing on the table

Apart from the above observation a table top and ate their meal there. about chairs on wheels, we were also This was totally out of our expecta- surprised by the popularity of the table tion. Perhaps it reflected the fact that top. Although not many users moved many people did not eat or write in the chairs, many users made use of the the public space because this kind of table top to carry out activities which surface was lacking in the public space. they normally could not conduct on This absence had largely reduced the a traditional chair, such as having a usability and diversity of the public meal, writing and reading books and space. Besides, the table top might newspapers. There was a famous be particularly important for some of charity barbecue pork restaurant near the residents and office workers in the the park, selling take-away lunch boxes district because their living space was at $13. Many people, particularly the small and only limited private space was elder people, liked to buy lunch boxes available for them to carry out similar and enjoy them in the park. With the activities. If more similar design could table top, they could eat leisurely be provided in public space, they could without using their hands to hold the be drawn to use the open, spacious and boxes. Some users joined the back of comfortable public space. Interperson- a chair without a table top with another al interaction would also be enhanced. to form a surface which they used as

Civic mindedness and righteousness demonstrated in public space

The second surprising discovery was wheels and dared not take them away. that not only the chairs on wheels had Besides, most of the users would take not been stolen or damaged, but many the rubbish to the bin and clean up the users took the initiatives to protect table top after using them. The users them. Before the experiment, our of the public space gradually regarded biggest worry was that the chairs on the chairs on wheels a part of the wheels might be stolen. We needed public space and treasured the chairs someone to watch over the chairs all as they did for other street furniture. the time and security guards were This showed that Hong Kong people employed to help. We made friends normally respected government with the security guard in the two-week property. We were confident that exhibition period and found out from people would take good care of the our chat with the security guard that chairs on wheels and other street people were usually self-disciplined. furniture, particularly those in public They would not damage the chairs on space with a heavy human traffic. Epilogue

After the experiment had been rest and escape from their tiny living completed, we returned to inspect the place. Whether or not the design and park to see what changes were there facilities of the public space had taken after the chairs on wheels were gone. their need into careful consideration We interviewed some residents and was important. A good design could many of them remembered the chairs make the users feel that they were on wheels. They had tried sitting on being taken care of. For example, the chairs and had a good impression many of them could hardly afford to of them. Several curious residents have a meal in a proper restaurant. asked where the chairs had gone and Well designed tables and chairs in the suggested that the chairs on wheels public space showed the best concern should be put in the park permanent- for them. ly. Talking about the chairs led some residents to speak about their hard life. The experiment on chairs on wheels For example, their small living space rightly demonstrated that if we trusted could not give them enough space to the public, they would have the ability eat properly, read newspapers or take to protect public property. Not only a rest. The chairs on wheels with a could a simple piece of street furniture table top gave them a comfortable en- provide the public space with unlimited vironment to conduct these activities flexibility and fun, and ease some of for free. When the chairs on wheels the conflict between active and passive were removed, they felt that some of public space users. It might also their basic rights seemed to be taken enshrine the value of social justice and away at the same time. This in fact mutual respect by creating a free-of- brought out a bigger issue on social charge space where people carry out justice. For the low income people their favourite activities while showing in Hong Kong, public space was an respect for others. important place for them to take a

092 093

Paint it your way

094 095 Venue CHAIR Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre

PAINTING Date WORKSHOP 2 Saturdays in November 2014 Instructing Artists Hei and Yan We discussed in the last chapter the usage pattern of movable chairs on wheels in the park and our ob- servation. We discovered that the degree of people’s acceptance and adaptability towards new matters varied. How could we make people like the chairs even better and use them more? Moreover, how could we use art to integrate the community? 096 097 Cross-community interaction LET'S

A R T J A M

098 099 INTERACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY 100 101 (residents + chairs + public space) x innovation = public art + community characteristics and cohesion?

To make the public like the chairs on in that “community”. Therefore, the wheels better and use them more, we white chairs on wheels aptly provided a had to give people more opportunities “platform” for the public to add colour to contact these chairs so that their and give it a design that belonged to liking for the chairs would grow. But the people. what was the relationship between a chair in the park and the people To make this happen, the HKPSI held in this community? In the umbrella three “Chair Painting Workshops” movement, we saw that many people in the Henry G. Leong Yaumatei liked to express their views through Community Centre where we designing public installation. Whether encouraged the residents to use the or not they had received professional 12 white chairs on wheels to paint training in art, their creative works a picture on the Yau Ma Tei in their was pure and some of their production heart. We hoped to bring art to the even won high artistic acclaim. community through this bottom up Besides, it was a nice surprise that the community activity on art. In building creative works was not only beautiful up the characteristics and memories but also integrated into the various of the community, we also hoped activities. The installation might be a to emphasize that everybody could table, a chair, a bookshelf, a flight of create, appreciate and be the user of stairs, a shade, a toilet etc. The works public space, and thus change people’s was full of innovation and represented usual thinking that public space was the sense of belonging of the people dull. Chair painting workshop

On the two Saturdays on November 1 and 8, 2014, we held three chair painting workshops, each lasting for two hours. Two artists helped in each workshop to give on-site instruction. The participants of the workshop came from different age groups and background, ranging from 3-year-old kid to women over 40, from South Asian children, European citizens to Yau Ma Tei residents as well as residents from other districts. This verified the saying that not everyone received professional art training but everyone could be an artist. Because of their different background and knowledge about Yau Ma Tei, the par- ticipants’ products showed the various faces of the district and their different feeling towards this small community. Let us look at their products one by one:

102 103 01 The neon light signage seen everywhere in Yau Ma Tei was a unique scenery that delighted tourists and movie makers. 02 The unique streets and shops in Yau Ma Tei could bring back the memories of many old residents.

104 105 03 Cafes in Yau Ma Tei represented the Hong Kong life style favoured by people of all age groups. 04

106 107 05 The Fruit Market and Police Station were historical buildings in Yau Ma Tei. 06 The “thick toast” needed no introduction.

108 109 07 A fortune-telling stall that was unique to Temple Street. 08 The old Chinese Banyan Tree in Yau Ma Tei was an oasis in the busy community.

110 111 09 The Yau Ma Tei in children’s eyes: roads and cars. 10 The Yau Ma Tei in children’s eyes: roads and cars.

112 113 11 A pure artistic works. 12 A pure artistic works.

114 115 Results of the activity

The subject matters chosen for the attractive to young people. Although drawings included not only names the older users had not taken part in of the roads, layout of the roads, the painting process, we hoped that conditions of the roads, small cafes all residents could get pleasure from and fortune tellers who only appeared the creative works. Therefore, after in the evening, but also covered the completion of the chair painting the major landmark of Yau Ma Tei, workshops, we held a carnival in a including the Fruit Market, Yau Ma Tei park in Yau Ma Tei and placed the Police Station and old Chinese banyan chairs there for residents’ use for a trees etc. These drawings aptly week. In the carnival, the chairs with showed the diversity of Yau Ma Tei. wheels in their new look were merged The participants drew the seemingly into the activities on the day. When insignificant faces of the community the residents saw these new chairs from the angle of a daily user, but with on wheels in the carnival, many of their passion for the streets of Yau Ma them including the elderly people Tei. Not only had they recorded their said they liked the chairs, particularly feeling for this old district, but they because they were colourful, vibrant also marked a record for the entire and carrying the district’s character- community, enabling the public to istics. In the following chapters, we know and feel for Yau Ma Tei. would like to share with the readers the happenings in the carnival and the From the participants of the activity, public’s reaction. Although the newly we could see that those who were designed chairs on wheels were not interested in creative works were living creatures, they enhanced the mainly young people. This was flow of ideas between generations and different from the fact that in general helped make a tighter integration of the major users of the parks were the community. It was worth letting elderly people. The reason for the the chairs remain in the community difference might be due to the fact for sharing by the people. that painting activities were more 116 117

Party at the park

118 119 Party at the park

After the various activities, the public space. Coming to the end of chairs on wheels had made a deep the project, we hoped to realise the impression in the mind of the Yau Ma concept of using the chairs to change Tei residents. However, using a chair the space, to share with residents to link up the entire community was no the results of the various activities easy task. From the street interviews, and to bring back the chairs to the focus group interviews, voting to the community once again. Using the design workshop, we had tried to chairs on wheels as the vehicle, we make the chairs on wheels part of the decided to hold in the park a party that community. From the experiment at would merge the community and art, the park, we observed the interaction the “Party at the Park”. between the chairs, people and the 120 121 How should a garden party in Yau Ma Tei look like?

In working out this garden party, of traditional cuisine. After some the biggest challenge that we faced pick and choose, we decided to put was to keep in mind the spirit of the elements that could represent Yau entire Yau Ma Tei district, and then Ma Tei, such as palmistry and fortune put the most characteristic and rep- telling from Temple Street, fresh resentative icons in the small park. fruits from the Fruit Market and local The culture of a community could herbal tea shops into the garden party. not be separated from its people and Apart from these, we understood that matters. Therefore, when designing everyone had their own interpretation the activities, our major task was to of community culture and their own link them up closely with the daily life imagination on public space. It was of Yau Ma Tei so that the party would important to allow people to freely be natural, practical and with char- express their wish and the choices acteristics. For example, the elderly for doing things that they like in the people in the district liked to exchange public space. Therefore, we added in tips on health. We, therefore, made the party elements like city sketching, use of local materials, such as fresh mobile library, piano virtuoso and fruits from the Fruit Market and areas for exchanging gardening skills herbal tea with different functions so that all participants could explore from an old herbal tea shop for the the possibilities of pubic space through elderly to quench their thirst as well art and other activities. as to promote health and the culture Layout plan of the garden party

City Sketching Reading Corner Use the painting Special thanks to brush to draw a Timing Bookstore sketch on the good for their partici- times in the park. pation

Gardening Corner Learn from experts the skills in growing small plants.

Free palmistry and fortune telling Seek advice from the master on my fortune.

Piano Virtuoso It was only right to sing and play instruments in the park. Exhibition on community chairs painting and on-site workshop on chairs painting Health Corner Use your imagina- on Fruits and tion in colouring the Herbal Tea chairs on wheels. Herbal tea and fruits from Yau Ma Tei.

122 123 The Chairs on wheels merging into the garden party naturally

One of the special features of the each other as they sat down on the garden party was for the residents uniquely shaped chairs and chatted to see the chairs on wheels that they voluntarily. In fact, these things could painted themselves. However, we happen any time in the public space. did not simply exhibit the colourful However, because of the monotonous chairs. We put them randomly in design of the public space in our city various locations of the park so that and the inflexible management rules, the chairs would merge into the people might only get in touch with various activities naturally and the the freedom and fun of public space visitors could discover the many pos- when they travelled overseas. Apart sibilities of the chairs. For example, from containing residents’ feeling for we replaced the normal piano stool Yau Ma Tei, the chairs on wheels that with a chair on wheels, thus urging HKHKPSI brought to the city this time the public to gather freely in front of also gave the public space unlimited the piano to play and sing. We also possibilities that could quietly put the chairs in an irregular pattern, change the spiritual life of the entire enabling strangers to come closer to community. 124 125

The fabulous public space

As the entire “Own Your Park” project own hands. Although the persons who was aimed at recreating public space actively drew, played with the piano, through community art, the theme sang and read were mostly young of the carnival naturally included the people and children, many middle-aged element of art. We believed that art persons and the elderly were curious was the most direct channel for an about the different styles of drawings individual to express oneself. It could that appeared on the chairs on wheels. enter our daily life from the most Some participants of the design ordinary angle, making all seemingly workshops came specially to find their minor things interesting and unique. own products. As Christmas was ap- Therefore, the design workshop on proaching at that time, many children of chairs on wheels and the various different cultural background gathered impromptu creative works at the party around the piano to sing Christmas were aimed at encouraging the public carols. Didn’t this picture of cross-gen- to express themselves in the public erations and cross-cultural partying space and create a lively park with their form an ideal public space? 126 127

Shortening the distance

Public space is a carrier of public the party they talked on and on about life and plays an important part in gardening and exchanged tips on integrating the different community growing plants in groups of three to groups. This small park in a busy five persons. The herbal tea and fruits district was not only a planned rest that were distributed in the park were area but also a platform for inter- widely welcomed. The residents were action among community culture, curious about the taste and effects humanities and space. In the party, of the different kinds of herbal tea the long queue in front of the fortune and discussed health tips with the teller was never shortened, showing volunteers. This kind of mood and tremendous response from the par- human relationship was an important ticipants. Apart from curiosity, people element in public life, and should have queued up also because they wanted been part of the public space. It was to feel the mood that was unique to a pity that vitality had been absent Yau Ma Tei. Besides, gardening also from the public space in Hong Kong drew the active participation by many for a long time. The reasons behind elderly people. Normally, they might this lack of vitality were worth our only chat casually in the park, but in pondering. 128 129

130 131

What was worth mentioning was that unlike the planned activities in normal community events, various impromptu activities could been seen in the garden party. The impromptu activities in public space carried important meaning because they rep- resented a bottom up concept that the public space could be redefined by you and me. Starting from a movable chair, we could see that the users tried out activities that seldom happened in the park, such as sketching or chatting with strangers. Some passers-by who were attracted by the drawings on the chairs on wheels sat down on the chairs to watch the new phenomenon in the park and enjoyed a leisure afternoon. The meaning of public space should not be set by the government and people who did the planning but could come from daily life. This garden party might only attract short-term attention from society but undoubtedly it confirmed the fact that changing an unnoticeable chair in the park could bring funda- mental impact on the individuality of public space and thus enhance inter-personal interaction and even social cohesion.

132 133 More public space, more living space. Behind the scene…

The “Own Your Park” project which lasted for about one year ended suc- cessfully in Yau Ma Tei. In the earlier chapters of this book we shared with readers how we used activities such as street interviews, plebiscite, focus group discussion, creative workshops, experiment on public space and carnival to integrate public art into pubic space and the community. During the process, we also discovered the unique quality of Yau Ma Tei and made the community even more lovely. However, readers should not think that the process to the happen ending had come smoothly. Behind the scene, there were in fact hardship, nice people and good matters seldom known to outsiders.

134 135 A test on emotional management and patience You had expected it, prepared for it, but were baffled at last.

Someone said if you had known the their own will. The event was both difficulties lying ahead, you could active and passive in nature and it have dealt with it better or avoided lasted for 14 days and night, no matter it. However, sometimes even when the weather conditions. How to obtain you knew early on that you would be and give the approval for the use of the treading a rocky road, you could only venue was an unprecedented event for understand how difficult the hardship us as well as for LCSD. was when you experienced it in person. From April last year, following more We started our preparation work than 10 email messages and un- early last year and expected that one countable times of telephone conversa- of the activities would be a two-week tion, together with incessant handing in experiment on public space to be supplementary information from appli- held in a park under the Leisure and cation form, proposal, layout plan of the Cultural Services Department (LCSD). park, human resources arrangement, As we knew that the activity would be three-dimension design plan, work a new attempt for us as well as the design plan and mechanical operation department, we started to contact to the design of warning signs, proposal LCSD as early as in April to apply for on safety and human traffic control, the use of the venue even when the arrangements for security guards and activity was scheduled for September. volunteers and insurance etc, finally Although the details of the experiment we felt in August that a favourable had not been firmed up at that time, response was likely to come. we expected that some installation or facilities of a larger size would be put However, things were changeable. in the park so that we could observe The officer who had been handling the interaction between people and the our application was transferred. The environment. consensus that both sides had tried hard to build up had to be rebuilt. By You might not realise where the that time only a month’s time was left. difficulty lied. But if you looked at the For us, it was not simply a question of activities normally held in a LCSD park, permission for use of the venue. We you could find that most of the activities had already started the production were one-day event of an active nature process in the factory, made arrange- such as a carnival at the weekend or ments for logistical transportation, a fun day, or activities of a passive took out an insurance policy, employed nature such as an exhibition that would security guards and carried out other prohibit touching. Our experiment fell preparation work. Everything was set in neither of the categories. People on the mark. How could we be not could interact with our installation at nervous and worried? In the following month, the number of However, we had to say pertinently email messages and telephone con- that the intense liaison with LCSD this versation between us and LCSD was time was a process for us to better more than the total sum made in the understand each other and to build previous four months. Although it up mutual trust. When we applied for took a lot of wit and patience for us to a similar activity last December, the explain again the concept of our activity duration for vetting was much shorter. and how we had minimised the risk The application was granted after the to safety and security, we were lucky exchange of only a few documents. to have met a LCSD officer who was Therefore, we could see that building willing to listen. She had also spent a up a relationship was no easy task. lot of time in understanding our project Time, patience and wit was required, and helping us. Finally, we were able no matter it was a relationship to obtain the permission to use the between people, relationship between venue on the last day of September. people and the community or our rela- It could be said that we had success- tionship with the government. fully carried out our “unprecedented experiment” on public space.

136 137 A special public participation Because of you, the community became more beautiful. Thank you for your participation.

In the past few months, we delib- The next person to whom we had to erately tried a number of ways to say thank you was an elderly resident encourage public participation, such in the district, Uncle Hau. He did not as street interviews, plebiscite, focus only take part in person, sharing in the group discussion, workshop, collective focus group discussion his knowledge artistic production, experiment about the district and enthusiasm in on public space and garden party. gardening, but also introduced his son, However, these activities did not cover Vincent, to be our volunteer. Vincent all the elements of public participa- contributed his money, effort and time tion in this project. There were many in the garden party. The gardening people from the Yau Ma Tei community workshop that he ran on the day was who took part behind the scene. Most a favourite activity for the elderly of them came from outside our plan. residents. These people decided to take part in the project because they wanted to It was a nice surprise and indeed contribute towards their favourite moving for us to have encountered a district after they had understood our commercial company which gave their thinking. Their participation was not help without considering the cost. We only big encouragement for us but remembered that on the first day that also made the process of community we brought the chairs to the park for participation more solid. the experiment, even before the chairs were set up properly, some curious We might not be able to record all the visitors asked if the chairs were for friends who had helped in the project at sale and their price. The chairs were different times because there were so not for sale but all of us could use many of them. However, we understood them in the park for free. For this, we that they were not mindful about whether had to thank the production company, or not their help and involvement Program, which worked with us in would leave their names in the record. producing the chairs. They were not concerned about the cost or what First of all, we had to thank District return the project would bring. They Council Member, Mr Yeung Tsz Hei, did not mind our lack of experience Benny for his help. He had helped us, and helped us solve one problem after a group of people who did not have another. any social network in the Yau Ma Tei district, work smoothly there. He Apart from the production company, had also carried out a lot of publicity some private companies lent us space work for us in the district and shared for holding activities. When we went with us his experience and tips on into a cinema in Yau Ma Tei to promote organising activities. our panels on plebiscite, instead of throwing us out, they were attracted not the residents liked the chairs by our design and allotted some and therefore, made friends with the exhibition space in the cinema hall for children of the district. Sometimes us to set up a polling station. when we left in the evening, they did not want us to go and asked when we We would also like to thank those who would return. We would also like to had cooperated with us and some of thank the residents who cheered us the residents whom we had met. For up when they happened to pass by the example, during the preparation for park, as well as the older and younger the garden party, we met an uncle friends who chatted with us and gave from Sam Kee fruit stall who taught us us encouragement. They all took part how to be a better person apart from in the project in different ways. Some teaching us techniques in choosing came to share, some observe, some fresh fruits. He was very supportive of joined in, some contributed their part young people serving the community and some became inspired. This was and gave us a box of large tangerine as definitely not a simple process of gift when we left. Another uncle who “you listening to me”, but a process in sold herbal tea patiently explained which we came together to make the to us the different effects of various community better. kinds of herbal tea. The tea that he sold was freshly made upon order. Timing Bookstore instantly promised to lend us books after hearing that we wanted to set up a library in the garden. They also sent a volunteer to help read story books to children, who must have remembered listening to the stories from a young girl. The garden party could only be successful with the help from all of them.

There was plenty of nice surprise. Daisy, whom we employed as the security guard, became our good-will ambassador. As she believed our activity was meaningful, she spared no effort in explaining the functions of the chairs on wheels to the residents. As volunteers, we often went to the park to see whether or 138 139 Special Acknowledgement

Working Team Assistance in Organising Work (members of Hong Kong Public Space Initiative) Karl Danica Ajyum Chan Caroline Chan Albert Cheng Adrian Alex Kan Wayne Astrid Wong Helen Boris Wong York Claudia Tsang Keith David Lin Kanic Hannah Chan Leo Hope Chen Gary Ivan Kwong Dominic Jasmine Yue Jeanie Chiu Jeffrey Wong Joel Ma John Wang Josely Lam Keith Wu Kenji Lam Kenneth Chan Michelle Chan OK Chan Patsy Ho Rocky Chau Ronald Chan Sharon Chan Tommy Wong Vicky Siu Winnie Tam Xavier Chan Yvonne Yuen William Sin Volunteers of Activities Supporting Organisations

Alex Chan Urban Renewal Authority Arts and Ally Wang Cultural Partnership Programme in Cheung Ching Men Old Urban Districts: Pilot Scheme Harris (Project sponsor) Louise Wong Program Contractors Ltd (production Mary Ho sponsor) Stella Chiu Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre (venue) Yoko Cheung Leisure and Cultural Services Department (venue) Kubrick, Broadway Cinematheque (venue)

Others

District Council Member Mr Yeung Tsz Hei, Benny Elderly resident of Yau Ma Tei, Uncle Hau, and his son, Vincent Security Guard, Daisy Uncle from Sam Kee and uncle selling herbal tea Timing Bookstore Artists Ah Hei and Ah Yan Riggs Lee & Kevin Leung Photographers, Keith and Michael Book design, Long/Underwater Production Video recording, Nero Yau Ma Tei residents and participants of activities

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