TAITAI-O O |/ A MODERN VILLAGE Tejido Group / University of Arizona / Capla / 2013
INTRODUCTION In the summer of 2013, the Tejido Group from the University of Arizona / CAPLA assembled a group of volunteer stu- dents from both Schools of Architecture and Landscape Architecture to develop a revitalization master plan for one of the last remaining ishing villages in the Hong Kong territories – TAI-O on Lantau Island.
The project illustrated a collaborative and interdisciplinary effort among our faculty and students from the University of Arizona. Our design team was graciously hosted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong throughout the four week duration of the project. CUHK faculty and students assist- ed us greatly in adapting to, and in better understanding the many complex social, economic and environmental issues confronting us in this fascinating project. With strong support from CUHK and their School of Architecture, the students, professors, and all others involved experienced unique design challenges resulting in experiences which fostered both academic and personal growth. This revital- ization project of TAI-O has evolved into an attempt to de- velop a multipronged approach to the revitalization and conservation of the wonderfully complex social and envi- ronmental context which is TAI-O. We sincerely hope that this “sustainable rural development prototype” may as- sist TAI-O in revitalizing a threatened, yet truly unique and relevant lifestyle. With very special thanks to CUHK and our gracious host Patrick Hwang we offer the following as a brief summary of the design and planning outcomes resulting from this summer’s odyssey in Hong Kong.
TAI-O DESIGN TEAM: Karen Costello | Monique Bassey | Suhkmeet Singh | Indira Orderique | Malcolm Daruwalla | Bri Lehman Pavel Savine | Dr. Mark Frederickson 1 2 Tai O is a remembrance of the past and a vision of the future. Once home to the Tanka people, Tai O has been an important trading and fishing port to China for the last 100 years. It was originally colonized in the 10th century CE as it occupies a strategic position in the Pearl River Delta, situated equally between Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangzhou. The waters in this area have been traveled for at least the last 6000 years, traveled by pirates and traders, armies and smugglers. Historically the major exports have been salt and fish, and the village is renown for its famous shrimp paste. Evidence of this commercial activity can be seen throughout the village today, from fish drying racks and shrimp paste drying in the open air to the remains of the salt pans that are now host to mangrove wetlands. Temples to Hung Shing, the patron saint of fisherfolk, can still be found throughout the village, a testament to the strong history and tradition of the village. An analysis of the Feng Shui of the village attests that it is strategically placed for social and economic success. Whatever you believe, it is important to preserve the history of the village, while providing a path for its future that will ensure its continued sustainability.
3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Site Analysis 6 Master Plan 10 Entrance and Commercial Zone 12 Modern Low-Rise Village 18 Mangroves and Research Campus 26 West Side Infill Strategy 30 Environmental Issues 38 Housing Strategies 42 Recreation Opportunities 48 Conclusion 50 References 50
4 5 Pearl River Delta Mainland China
Macau
Tai-O Hong Kong Lantau Island
This is a view of the general Pearl River delta region. Lantau Island is connected to Hong Kong mainland by bridge, ferry and subway links. Currently a new bridge connecton is under construction to Macau.
6 HKG Airport
Tai-O Disneyland
Tian Tan Buddah
Lantau Island
Other than Tai-O village, Lantau island is largely undeveloped, yet there are new dense nodal developments in the form of a new international airport on the northern coast, and a Disneyland resort located along the northeast coast.
7 ESTUARIES Estuaries present an opportunity in terms of revegetation efforts in an attempt to reestablish natural ecologic functions. Natural vegetation, such as mangroves, prevent the detrimental functions of tidal actions. They also create a microenvironment in which fish, molluscs and other plants and animals thrive.
HIGH AND LOW TIDES High and low tides are very significant in this region, with the high tide line moving throughout the village and up Tai O Creek, and the low tide moving far enough away from the land to create significant mud flats around the island.
INTERTIDAL ZONE The intertidal zone supports a variety of life that is adapted to extreme enivronments. Because of the variability of this environment, many species of life are supported because of the high volume of nutrients presented by these different inputs. Habitats such as those created by mangroves can ameliorate the more dramatic affects in these areas. 8 EXISTING LAND USE Much of the land surrounding the village of Tai O is already protected and not slated for development. Any future development within the historic village is also strictly limited, often times not allowing houses that have been destroyed to be rebuilt.
CIRCULATION Circulation within the village is good, if not somewhat limited by the shape of the development and the water that surrounds most of it. Circulation is most limited in the access to the village from the outside, with the only main circulation paths being one road from the rest of Lantau and one ferry entrance at the port.
AMENITIES There are amenities for the residents of the village, but they are often not placed with regard to the limited mobility of the mostly aging population of the village. Amenities tend to be concentrated in the newer developments, presumably because they are more easily located than in the existing village fabric. 9 導管 ZONED MASTER PLAN 濾水æ±
墳墓
墳墓
墳墓 Much consideration was taken in developing 墳墓 墳墓 墳墓
a new master plan for Tai O. Much emphasis was 墳墓
墳墓
墳墓 placed on the preservation and redevelopment of 墳墓
墳墓 墳墓 existing infrastructure, as it was important to keep 墳墓
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the fabric and social cohesion of the village intact, 墳墓 and preserve the historic elements which make the
墓地 墳墓
墓地 village such an important part of the history of Hong 墳墓 Kong. Areas that were unused or underutilized were 墓地
targeted for redevelopment plans than emphasized the overall cohesion of the area, while attempting to address some of the issues that had developed in recent years. Amenities were placed closer ENTRANCE AND COMMERCIAL ZONE to the areas in which they would be utlized, and MANGROVES AND RESEARCH CAMPUS development strategies emphasize the creation of WEST SIDE INFILL STRATEGY more infastructure for visitors, while attempting to MOUNTAIN HIKE improve the quality of life for the residents of the MODERN LOW-RISE VILLAGE village. PUBLIC AREA
INFILL HOUSING
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G G ENTRANCE AND COMMERCIAL ZONE Tai O is a picturesque fishing One crucial design issue was the village that is facing several challenges. purely functional but uninteresting entry It’s fishing industry has been trailing sequence for visitors to Tai O. The bus off as the young people are turning depot dominated the entry plaza and there away from a low paying, physically was no inviting sense of arrival. Also the demanding career to new career seawall and drainage river between the old opportunities in urban Hong Kong. The village and new high rise housing creates a village is also gaining attention as a barrier, both physically and visibly. The wall possible ecotourism destination. With is so close to the old village buildings that this in mind, the design team determined it inhibits expansion and personal gardens that maintaining the fishing industry was and communal open space. importance for integrity and relevance, but ecotourism should also be a target.
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2 2 e A 50 S O M TAI 48 168 175 2 46 21 0 44 42 173 40 tfall Ou 1 6 171 8 3 164 34
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1 7 1 4 160 167 of rch 1 hu a 5 C n 1 e hi T 158 165 Th C 2 st in ol A hri cho I C S O i O 1 TAI O YEE CHUNG 156 a 3 T M Stilt House 1 163 A 0 R 1 1 K 54 1 E 161 T 8 - S 6 1 T 52 9
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TAI O TAI CHUNG 141 132 139
130 137 3 32 34 8 30 36 13 28 40 128 5 26 42 44 46 48 50 5 1 13 4 2 or 26 3 2 54 ing Ch 29 31 5 5 W 25 33 3 6 8 chool 131 2 35 7 39 60 S ll 1 2 4 a 6 1 - 4 45 12 aw 1 3 6 4 e 8 47 2 S 64 129 49 66 51- 68 7 1 53 0 4 23 55 1 72 27 57 74 21 59 61 76 63 78 67 80 12 120 1 118 -15 69 116 13 14 A 71 8 1 11 4 73 86 88 75 90 92 7 7 121 0A 1 79 9 119 94 6 7 98 11 81 100 115 L 83 8 102 5 104 87 106 PRIVATE GARDENS 89 9 91 10 9 3-95 97 ll 9 101 9 10 wa 3 105 107 ea S
3 o. N g in ai O p T um D P n S d tio D oo ta Fl S
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BUS DROP OFF AND TURN AROUND 12 ENTERINGentering Tai TAI O O ENTRANCE
shaded raised river promenade
new commercial/residences area new commercial/residences area
river/flood control
river/flood control mangroves seawall seawall Tai O main road seawall
area sits above flood level area sits below flood level
existing entry 13 14 proposed dropoffand assembly plaza proposed village entry 15 ENTRANCE Entry design strategies suggested are:
• Move the bus depot and open up the pier, entry plaza for events and play. • Create shaded walkways and places to eat and sit which do not exist at the moment • Move the seawall and drainage river so that the old village commercial buildings and residences can have personal gardens or open up the space for commerce. This large space is landscaped to be a shady tree laden courtyard with places to sit and eat. At night, when the day tourists leave, it becomes a place for the locals to congregate and socialize. • The seawall was moved over to new commercial/mixed use area. To continue to protect the old village, a stepped down wall was created so that people can sit on the large steps and there is more relationship with the river. The steps also function as flood protection. • A new commercial section was added where the high rises have been removed. These form a link to the new bus drop off and provide a shaded entry sequence with a sense of arrival. • Exposure to the sea was added with steps down to a safer and more convenient place to moor boats for proposed entry plaza 16 tourist scenic trips. 17 ENTRANCE 18 be utilizedasaneconomicdevelopment is providedwithgreenspacewhichcan easily accessedbyall.Eachindividualhome the centersharedareaswheretheycanbe Community amenitiesareconcentratedin and connecttootherareasofTaiO. create passagewaysthroughoutthevillage for gatheringandrest,whilegreencorridors old TaiOvillage.Minorspacesarecreated development patternsoftheneighboring organic yetorganizedmanner,echoingthe the traditionalstilthousesarearrangedinan modern prototypesinspiredbythedesignof area. Insteadofconcreteblockhousing, the numberonepriorityforthisdevelopment Replacingtheoutdatedandunder- utilized highriseapartmentbuildingswas civic commons main roadway. entry sequenceforvisitorsarrivingviathe bay whileprovidingavisualscreenandan connects residents from both sides of the the terracedwalk.Asecondgreencorridor privacy forthosehousesthatareoverlooking aesthetically appealing.Italsoprovides with somethingthatismorefunctionaland new development,replacingtheoldseawall separates yetconnectsoldTaiOwiththis individual families.Aterracedwalkway opportunity orforgardenplotstosupport MODERN LOW-RISE VILLAGE 19 RESIDENTIAL By pushing the canal wall further towards the canal it opened up a wide space for different activities. The spaces start with the existing housing in place followed by a large open private backyard for each house. This backyard could be used for different activities as per the wish of the user. These backyards are screened from the public by bamboo which also provides a shaded walkway and bike path. This space extends further at different level and is visually connected to the stream. The thought was that the people living in that space could eventually open up small scale commercial activity extending from their private backyards or use them for their personal purposes. The space provides an environment which can be altered as per the wishes of the people living there. 20 Neighborhood pedestrian walk 21 RESIDENTIAL evenings along the canal
22 there. are someoftheactivitiesimagined tooccur heard. Readingabook,fishingorjust relaxing birds and faint voices from the village can be place during the day where the chirping of terraced landisimaginedtobea peaceful nature ofTai-O.Theriverthatruns along the liberate whilestillmaintainingtheindigenious like formationwhichallowsforthespaceto forms andlandisterracedinanirregularstep is increased,thewallsarerelocatedindifferent The existing canal is widened,water flow other sideofthestream. prototype stilthousesarelocated on the new The Kong. Hong urban of citizens the to offerascenerarelyexperienced by to beeconomicallyviableforthe locals well lightedquietenvironmentcould prove activity alongtheriverduringnight.This CommercialactivitiesatTai-O endby for the locals to open smallscalecommercial evening hencethisprovidesanopportunity 23 RESIDENTIAL 24 neighborhood open space&park 25 RESIDENTIAL Island Park
Aquarium Entrance
Mangrove Preservation Park 26 within themangroves,supplyinglocals will besupportedbytheestuariescreated restoration parkisanewfishery.Thisfishery gorgeous place.Adjacenttothemangrove increase theenvironmentalawarenessofthis preservation parkwasestablishedto existing mangrovehabitat,a their currentwayoflife.Buildinguponthe the area and support the local people and the economicsandecologicalhabitatsof with it’ssurroundings,aswellincrease restoration parkwillbeusedtotieTaiO Usingexistingtopography,ecology, and majorcirculationroutes,amangrove side, andoftheoceanonother. abundance oflifeinthemangrovesonone aquarium providesunderwaterviewsofthe as anewsubterraneanaquarium.This tourists toexplorethemangroves,aswell aesthetically pleasingwayforlocalsand Circulation pathscreateafunctionaland sustainability inarichfishingculture. ocean withmoreaquaticlifeforfuture with freshfishaswellthesurrounding RESEARCH CAMPUS MANGROVES AND 27 MANGROVE 28 aquarium entry &mangrovepark 29
MANGROVE WEST SIDE INFILL CULTURAL Provides community spaces STRATEGIES that are comfortable for locals As you venture through the busy commercial corridor and visitors year-round. the historic stilt house community that is centrally located Green space that provides in the heart of Tai-o has a charming quality that is rich with an unobstructed view to the authenticity, but can seem very congested, disorganized ocean which also creates a direct and lacks a direct connection to the waterfront. By breaking connection with visitors being up the historic fabric to create thresholds and corridors, this transported via boat. concept proposes a green network that allows for both visitors Instead of having a large as well as locals of Tai-O to maintain an easier connection to central park, small pocket parks and through the old historic town. were provided to recreate the The pocket park is also connected to the tourist natural habits of the people boardwalk, which gives opportunities for social interaction. of Tai O, such as gathering in small groups and enjoying a game of mahjong. These pocket
Public School parks allow for small groups to
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Ramp 大石 moment of quiet nteractin. 91.5 80 微波發射站 Microwave Graves Station 84.3 72.9
87.5 平岩 Tai O Barracks
Flat Rock
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89.8 connected to the tourist 50.1
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District Office
Flat Rock ENVIRONMENTAL Fish Market Improve park life for the Temple
Quarters Hotel L T E RTSE OPIA Public Area Mast ST HS KE residents of Tai O, who do not Private Area SHEK TSAI PO STREET Seawall Pier Undeveloped Area have much in the way of private Green Area Existing Buildings green spaces or yards. Tourist Path Local Path
Pier Temple Trail 30 Water Stream neighborhood interstitialspaces 31 WEST SIDE ECONOMIC business that includes the fish market working in Attempts to locate employment and collaboration with the restaurant. commercial opportunities near private housing by proposing an active relationship between CULTURAL visitors and locals. Improve social interactions by creating By placing the restaurant in front of the a connection between the fish market, the fish markets it provides an opportunity to create restaurant, and the public eating area.
32 and locals. opportunties forinteractionbetweentourists tourist boardwalkistherestaurant.Thisprovides which connectsthelocalpathwaywith Therearethreemajornodesthatwere created on the west side of Tai O. The last node FUNCTIONAL enjoying aviewofTaiOfromthesea. back inaboatfromthepiertomainplaza, Therestaurantisplacednearthepier, allowing touriststoenjoyamealandtakeride urban trail &waterfront restaurant 33 WEST SIDE ENVIRONMENTAL In section you can see that a sustainable grey water system that filters runoff through a and efficient prototype placed within the node series of biotic events that in turn provides a will also serve as an opportunity for the structure clean source of water for the adjacent mangrove to respond to the environment. By creating a habitat. Within the stilt house community there are several vacant areas that can become opportunity nodes for locals to gather and use as flexible live and work areas. This infill strategy shows an example of how these vacant nodes nestled within the historic stilt house fabric can be developed in an array of different manners. WEST SIDE
35 AESTHETIC AND ECONOMIC SOCIOCULTURAL The intention of the prototype The structure provides a is to maintain the Tai-O historic gathering space for locals to come archetype, yet introduce new and work together on their daily thermal performance techniques routines. (screen and operable fenestrations) that allow for more natural light and FUNCTIONAL ventilation to come through. The The structure is surrounded by materials have an aesthetic quality boardwalks that allow for easy to them in hopes of lending these access to building for the locals prototypes authenticity as well as from their home. functional efficiency.
ENVIRONMENTAL lower costs and carbon footprint through the use of natural 36 light and ventilation. Interconnecting boardwalks and Mangove restoration 37 WEST SIDE
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Environmental issues are of utmost of tourism revenue is taken from the village. importance to the village of Tai O. Without The other major source of revenue for Tai O access to modern sanitation, and with the comes from the fishing industry, which is also river flow increasingly dwindling, conditions greatly affected by the quality of the water are ripe for an outbreak of disease within immediately surrounding the area. Without an the historic part of the village. Wastewater environment conducive to life, fish populations is currently being dumped directly from the will move elsewhere and this central tenant of houses into the bed of the river, with little the economy will disappear. regard for the tides or any other cleaning The poor sanitation of the old town methods. This not only affects the village but area itself also affects environmental quality the waters that spread beyond it into the main and tourism. Lack of proper waste disposal body of the Pearl River Delta. One of the main methods may be part of the problem, as litter tourist attractions in the village, the Chinese can be found throughout the village, but White Dolphin (Sousa chinensis), is directly Tai O’s position downstream from a group of affected by the quality of the water that runs major population centers (Hong Kong, Macau off from Tai O, with their numbers dwindling and Guangzhou) means that it could be a every year. Without a sustainable population collection point for litter that has floated from of these mammals, one very important source these locales. ENVIRONMENT WETLAND MANAGEMENT
A recharging wetland system utilizes the average 9 foot tidal swell in order to filter and cleanse the water present in Tai O, whether it be freshwater runoff from the mountains, wastewater from the village, or incoming tidal water from the Pearl River Delta.
As the tide rises, it fills up the upper terraces with this mixed water, which slowly filters through earthen berms planted with flora that is chosen for its tolerance to saline conditions and cleansing actions. revitalized canal& mangrovehabitat
ENVIRONMENT HOUSING
Currently, the only housing options that are available in the village of Tai O are either the stilt houses on the water or high-density apartment buildings that sit away from the town center. Whereas the stilt houses in the old part of the village seem to be the most desired housing, there are limits to growth imposed by both governing bodies and natural limitations. These stilt houses are not easily built and require time, money and planning to execute. The high-rise buildings have their benefits, including modern plumbing and more comfortable living space. However, these buildings are only operating at 50% of capacity. This fact bears more research, but it is our understanding that the inhabitants of Tai-o prefer living in the stilt houses with direct access to the sea. A few prototypes 37 have been developed for a new housing area that incorporates the community feeling and the density of the old Tai O village with updated and modern plumbing and other amenities. The goal is to provide a new example for living comfortably in Tai O without having to sacrifice the character and charm of the village lifestyle.
42 37 43 HOUSING 44 Inill stilt housing Inill stilthousing viewer tocontroltheamountofairflow,lightandvieweveryday. through therecessedroof.Theshutterlouveredwindowsallowthe family asitisequaltothelivingspaceongroundfloor.The fan storage andinfutureprovideasalivingspacefortheextended The flooraboveisamezzaninewhichcouldbeusedfor view andexposurecanbecontrolledbytheindividuallivinginside. ventilation. Theoutsideisvisuallyopenandtheamountoflight, design allowsthedwelleralotofflexibilityinuseandabundance spaces opentopublicandflexibilityofuse.Thehousingprototype the individuallivingwithin. view andexposurecanbeeasilycontrolledby outside isvisuallyopenandtheamountoflight, in useandanabundanceofventilation.The prototype designallowsthedwellerflexibility to publicandflexibilityofuse.Thehousing knit community,keepingprivatespacesopen of Tai-O embraces aspectssuch as aclose The lifestyleofthepeoplewithinvillage A viewer tocontroltheamountofairflow,lightandvieweveryday. through therecessedroof.Theshutterlouveredwindowsallowthe family asitisequaltothelivingspaceongroundfloor.Thefan storage andinfutureprovideasalivingspacefortheextended The flooraboveisamezzaninewhichcouldbeusedfor view andexposurecanbecontrolledbytheindividuallivinginside. ventilation. Theoutsideisvisuallyopenandtheamountoflight, design allowsthedwelleralotofflexibilityinuseandabundance spaces opentopublicandflexibilityofuse.Thehousingprototype A’ view onadiurnalbasis. viewer tocontroltheamountofairflow,lightand roof. Theshuttered/louveredwindowsallowthe air outofitthroughanoperablepeninginthe used tomoveairwithinthedwellingorexhaust space onthegroundfloor.Thefancouldbe the extendedfamilyasitisequaltoliving be usedforstorageorasfuturelivingspace The upperfloorisamezzaninewhichcould SECTION AA’ ELEVATION 45 HOUSING THE HEMP HOUSE
< 8-0’ >
GROUND The Government hasFIRST strict one idea, SECONDof many possible regulations for housing in Tai O. solutions, for creating a house Only houses that have existed that can adapt to changing and are registered can be needs and differs from the replaced or rebuilt. However, present trend of using aluminum the Government will not allow as the main building material. a house to be built larger than A more sustainable building the original square footage, and material would be hempcrete, a registry has been created. made from hemp. The material Every house is marked with its is cast like concrete and hardens dimensions clearly displayed. to a concrete type of material. This has created a dilemna for Furthermore, hempcrete is very many residents with growing durable, easy to build with by needs; some houses are very unskilled workers and uses one small. of the most sustainable products This design suggests only existing. NATURAL VENTILATION MOVING BACKTO < 8-0’>
GROUND < 21-0’ > 21-0’ < FIRST SECOND core. Duetospace mosthousesbuild upagainsteach and aircome inthroughthe roofskylightand open other so there are no windows onthese walls. Light movement ofthehouses. is waterproofyetflexible enoughtohandletheslight Hemp climate. insulation factors to prevent over humid heating inside. Hemp Kong’s Thisdesignusescrosswindsto coolandventilate Hong naturally wickshumidityoutoftheinterior andhashigh in house the Mosthousesin Tai Orelyonairconditioningfor fabricated houses,newandold. comfort. Thisisparticularlythecase withthemetal expansion. the Governmentallowsvertical Thefootprintlimitforthis house isonly8feetby21but footprint. replacement cannothavealarger house isonly8feetwideandthe little lightorventilationinside.The Thishouseisusedtoday.The are shownonthefront.Thereis dimensions andregistrynumber 47 HOUSING 48 efficient mode oftransportation between be because ofthedevelopment ofamore significant touristpresence develops,itwill tourists musttake a bustogetTaiO.If Buddha, theTian Tan Buddha.Fromthere, hosts theworld’s largestoutdoorbrass and NgongPing,wherethePoLinMonastery KongHong between operates that tram a is sustainable tourismindustry.Currently there resource indevelopingarenewable and culturally sensitive,thiscouldbea major way thatisenvironmentallyresponsible and Currentlytherecreational andtourism are moreoptionsthatdeveloped ina opportunities inTaiOarelimited. If there conservation foryears tocome. and provideincentive forpreservationand the landforboth residentsandvisitors, Inaddition tothetourismopportunities, a hikingtrailwill bring additionalvalueto low-impact development in the form of infrastructure developmentatNgong Ping. that couldpotentiallytieinwiththe existing inclined andalsoareligiousjourney ofsorts outdoor opportunityforthosewho areso points onTaiOIsland,whichwillserve asan will connectexistingtemplesand lookout Ngong Ping and Tai O. A trail is proposed that 49 RECREATION CONCLUSION
Tai O occupies a unique place in the history of Hong Kong. To visit Tai O is to feel a part of the village, an emotional attachment of sorts… something that is not easy to create, but important to preserve.
We certainly believe that Tai O is worthy of preservation, but also is in dire need of unique solutions that address some very unique problems. Conservation of its culture and natural heritage is paramount, and is inextricably tied to an array of sustainable solutions that effectively engage its economic viability, envronmental health, and cultural sensibility.
We sincerely hope that we were able to offer fledgling concepts that may assist the benign development of this very special place and people.
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