Creating Inclusive Open Space Workshop Summary Report August 2018 Disclaimer This report summarised major discussion points from individuals who participated in the workshop. The views expressed in this report do not necessarily represent the opinions of Civic Exchange and other funding or participating organisations. Organised by Funded by Table of Contents Background ............................................................................................................ 3 Executive Summary................................................................................................ 4 Public Opinion Survey ............................................................................................ 5 Findings from “Your Favourite Open Space” Exercise ............................................ 6 Summary of Breakout Discussions ....................................................................... 10 The Way Forward ................................................................................................. 16 1 About Civic Exchange Civic Exchange is an independent Hong Kong public-policy think tank established in 2000. We use in-depth research and dialogue to inform policy and engage stakeholders on addressing environmental and development challenges in Hong Kong. Civic Exchange has been ranked among the top 50 environmental think tanks in the world by the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania since 2011. For more information, visit www.civic-exchange.org Acknowledgements Civic Exchange would like to thank Yip Yan-yan for supporting the design and moderation of the workshop; Christopher Law for moderating the “Your Favourite Open Space” exercise; Alain Chiaradia, Jennifer Walker Frisinger, Kylie Uebergang, Manfred Yuen, Mark Pixley, Rachel Yan and Sophie Le Clue for facilitating the breakout sessions; Archer Wong, Karen Lee, Mavis Chong and Sirma Altun for serving as note-takers; and Kelly Chan for helping with registration. I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the Civic Exchange team for the ingenious design, co-ordination and organisation of this workshop: the project research and engagement team Michele Weldon, Carine Lai, Vicky Kung and Jonathan Lin; the communication team Helen Luk and Cosmo Lo; and the event support team John So and Iris Chan. Their seamless teamwork helped ensure the success of the workshop. Last but not least, our deep gratitude goes to all the participants for taking part in the workshop, sharing their views and contributing their ideas – these are invaluable inputs for our study. Winnie Cheung Civic Exchange CEO 2 Background The Jockey Club Civic Exchange “Reconnecting Open Space” Programme (the Programme) is a public engagement project that aims to evaluate and raise societal awareness on the quality of open space in Hong Kong. The initiative is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and led by Civic Exchange, an independent public-policy think tank that aims to inform policy and engage stakeholders on addressing environmental and development challenges in Hong Kong. This one-year project includes an 18-district-wide public opinion survey, capacity-building programmes for tertiary and secondary students, a workshop, a public forum, and a research report on creating inclusive open space in the city. In Hong Kong, each person has only 2.7m2 of open space, much lower than other Asian cities like Tokyo (5.8 m2), Seoul (6.1 m2), Singapore (7.4 m2) and Shanghai (7.6 m2), according to Civic Exchange’s 2017 study titled “Unopened Space: Mapping Equitable Availability of Open Space in Hong Kong”. The Programme aims to identify ways to improve the quality of open space to bring greater environmental, health and social benefits for Hong Kong residents. Between February and March 2018, Civic Exchange conducted a public opinion survey on open space and found that Hong Kong residents from different age groups have diverse and sometimes conflicting needs. Preliminary results also show that there is a need to introduce more inclusive open-space design and management, especially in pocket parks and small sitting-out areas. 3 Executive Summary As part of the Programme, Civic Exchange organised a workshop on 12 June 2018 where more than 60 key stakeholders from government departments, property developers, universities, open-space operators, and various professional and community groups took part. At the event, Civic Exchange shared highlights from the open-space public opinion survey. The participants discussed the challenges of creating more inclusive open space in Hong Kong; they also explored the needs of different age groups and how such space can be better designed and managed to cater for children, young people, adults and elderly. The workshop also included a group exercise in which participants shared their favourite open space and a breakout session where they were divided into small groups and discussed the quality of open space and recommendations for improvements in four neighbourhoods, namely Wan Chai, Yau Tsim Mong, Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong. Agenda Welcome and Introductions “Your Favourite Open Space” Exercise (moderated group exercise) Public Opinion Survey Findings on Public Open Space (presentation by Civic Exchange) Challenges and Opportunities for Change (facilitated breakout session) Wrap up This workshop is a precursor of a large-scale public forum that Civic Exchange will organise on 26 October 2018 at The University of Hong Kong. This report summarised presentation highlights and findings from the workshop. 4 Public Opinion Survey Civic Exchange conducted a public opinion survey of 3,600 people across 18 districts between February and March 2018 to find out how they used and perceived the quality of open space in their neighbourhoods and what kind of improvements they would like to see. The survey classified respondents by age and gender according to 2016 census data and selected 200 people in each district to ensure comprehensive geographical coverage. The survey examined the respondents’ views of seven types of open space as well as private open space in large residential developments. The findings aim to help policymakers and open-space providers create more high-quality and inclusive open spaces to better meet public needs. Preliminary findings were shown at the workshop to facilitate discussion. Participants were requested to keep the preliminary information and data confidential, noting that all findings will be published in a full report scheduled for October 2018. 5 Findings from “Your Favourite Open Space” Exercise Participants were asked to write down their favourite open space, why they like it and which areas they think can be improved. Table 1 lists out all favourite open spaces identified by workshop participants, with the most popular ones marked with an asterisk (*). No open space was identified in the Kwai Tsing, Tsuen Wan, Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin and Yuen Long districts. Table 1: List of Favourite Open Spaces by District District Favourite Open Spaces Central & Western Tamar Park* Central Waterfront Promenade Bowen Road Hiking trails (Mid-levels– Peak –Wan Chai/Causeway Bay) Caine Road Park Central Harbourfront Cadogan Street Temporary Garden Sai Wan Waterfront Promenade Hong Kong Park Hong Kong Park (the Aviary) Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Tai Kwun Wan Chai Victoria Park* Paterson Street Happy Valley Racecourse Eastern Quarry Bay Park* Southern Hiking trails (Island South) Cyberport* Stanley Promenade Yau Tsim Mong Kowloon Park* Sham Shui Po Hing Wah Street Playground Kwun Tong Kwun Tong Waterfront Promenade* Sau Ming Road Park Sha Tin Chung Chi Park Shatin New Town Plaza Tai Po Penfold Park Tai Mei Tuk 6 Tuen Mun Tuen Mun Park North Little park in Sheung Shui (location not identified) Leisure Cultural Services Department park near Fan Ling (location not identified) Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Velodrome Park (Lawn) Sai Kung Country Park Sai Kung Square HKUST (Lawn) Islands Tung Chung Citygate Table 2 summarises the reasons behind the participants’ choice of favourite open space and any improvement they would like to see. Comments were grouped according to Project Public Space’s “good open space” framework, which outlines four components: accessibility and linkage, uses and activities, comfort and image, and sociability. Table 2: Reasons and Potential Areas for Improvement – Favourite Open Spaces Accessibility and Linkage Reasons Potential Areas for Improvement Convenient and close to MTR station Better connectivity to nearby buildings Central location Better accessibility by public transport Open 24/7 More transport links Proximity to residence More parking lots Proximity to the Central Business District Better signage and promotion No railings by the sea Ensure the permanent usage of open Close to assistance and aid space so the venue will not be re-zoned Open space is not fenced off Extend opening hours of open space/keep Free of charge the open space open all day long Highly connected to the neighbourhood Better linkage to the waterfront Near to public wet market Congestion in nearby roads Open space can be used as a green- Improve interface and compatibility of walking route and a short cut to other open space with nearby areas venues Installation of lifts Proximity to restaurants nearby Use and Activities Reasons Potential Areas for Improvement Cycling is allowed Phased improvement programmes are Designed for jogging needed to enhance the sustainability of the park’s operation