(uD34) PUBLIC SPACE IN THE DERELICT OLD CITY AREA A case study of Mong Koþ Hong Kong Dr. Charlie Q.L. Xue, Mr. Kevin Manuel and Rex H.Y Chung Division ofBuilding Science and Technology, City University ofHong Kong IABSTRACT] Public space, including recreational space, is an important index of me¿suring the living qualþ of metropolitan areas. The authors use Mong Kok ofHong Kong as a case study to explore the issues. Mong Kok was shaped during the colonial age after 1930s and it has been an entertainment and shopping hub ofHong Kong. The reasons for selecting Mong Kok for study are mainly its highest density bfurban population in the world, and its sþnificance of regional economy and tourism, which have attracted a great amount ofpatrons and tourists in the past years. With its expansion ofpopulation and extremely exuberant commercial activity, Mong Kok can hardly accommodate the d¿ily needs of local residents. Public space, which can only be seen in those leftover areas adjacent to streets, are found to be below the average and reasonable standards both in quality and quantity and also poor in maintenance among the various districts in Hong Kong. The increasing environmental problems, such as air and noise pollution ofthe area, have become a typical symptom of modern urban areas. The article presents the existing pictures of Mong Kok and analyses the reason ofpublic space shortage. The methods of observation and questionnaires are used in investigation. The authors suggest the strategies of improving public space in Mong Kok. The analysis, method and suggestion in this article may have universal sþificance in providing experience and reference for other parts of Hong Kong or other world cities. PUBLIC SPACE IN THE DERELICT OLD CITY AREA A case study of Mong Koþ Hong Kong P.t.Çh*!þ Q L. Xue, Mr. Kevin Manuel and Mr. Rex H.y Chung Division ofBuilding Science and Teclnology, City University ofHong Kong [SYNOPSTSJ Public space in developed countr¡es hås been well-discussed (Marcus, 199g; Madanipour, 1996). Big cities in Asir arc undergone d¡ffercnt stories, with the ch¡ltenges from population ptersoË, mîai"g a"rliacility rg¡ng and infrastructure's insufliciency @roceertinss, 1997; Manuei an¡ xuô, rgsf¡, hrtuc sp"ace is an import¡ntindex.of living quality in city, but it has been rong ignorrd in the ciies or rapia grow6 ror exåmple' thore citie¡ in southeast Asiâ. This article uses Mo-ng-Kot<, a bu¡y commerci¡i a¡ã old traditionat district of Eong Kong, as case study to explor€ the ¡ssues of plUic Ápace in OercUct city arc.. The articþ pr€sents the existing pictures of Mong Kok Tte method-¡ of obcervation ód questionnairrs ¡re used in invest¡gation. The authors suggest the strategi€s of inpmving public space in il{ong Kok rhe rn¡lys¡$ method rnd suggestion in this article may hrve univenat signifiiince in fmviling exrtrience and rcfercnce for other parts of Eong Kong or other world cities. Key wtds: public space, Hong Kong, Mong Kolc poticr¿ buittform 1. EXISTING PICTUR-E OF MONG KOK 1.1 Bacþround of Mong Kok Mong Kokt is located at the center of Kowloon peninsula. Its area is about 147 hectares and it has about 160,000 residents. It is an entertai¡ment and shopping hub ofHong Kong. Mong Kok village existed as early as the lBû century It lâid in-the area oftÈe presõnt nute stree! Tung choi street and Reclamation street. The residents were mostly farmers planting v_egetable. At the beginning of 20th century, as Nathan Road, the most popular road in Kowloon, was developed towards north, Mong Kok became a com.erõi¿l area for chinese people. In 1930s, its chinese name was changed to "wongKok" which means "the point of ,,Mong prosperity". However its English name remains Kok' till now. Mong Kok isnow a popular shopping place for both tourists and local people. According to visitors Profile Reporr 1998, 20 %o tourists visit "open Air Markets" in rsôs, which is oily less than "VictoriaPeak" (47Yo), "Repulse Bay" ei%) and..Ocean park" (24%). One of the major "open Air Markets" in Hong Kong is the Ladies' Market on Tung choi street in Mong Kok. All sorts ofbargain deals can be found herg including clothing foi men and women of all ages, watches, accessories, small household items, and toys. ThJplace gets its name because it is particular well known for its fashionable ladies' clothing. These items are usually locally made and the prices are very affordable. Another favóurite with shoppers is the Fa Yuen street, which also contains open-air market stalls. Although not as famous as Ladies' Market, impressive fashion items at low price can also be found here. In addition, a number ofpet shops, fresh fruit and gold fish stalls also gather along the street. As Mong Kok is located at the center of Kowloon, it is the transportation center of Kowloon peninsular. Both Kowloon-canton Railway and Massive Transii Railway have Mong Kok station. Many bus and mini-bus lines are either via Mong Kok or taking it as a terminal. It is probably the most accessible place in Hong Kong. That is another reasón why Mong Kok is so attractive to patrons and toLrists. Although Mong Kok is not a very large place, the district can be subdivided into different areas according to their local characteristics. First of all, the shopping and commercial hub of the district is the southeast part ofMong Kok. It is bounded by Nathan Road to the west and Prince Edward Road West to the north. To most people, it is what Mong Kok means. Besides, it is also where most mini-bus terminals and the train station located. Streets axe always packed with people during peak hours. @ig. 1) The shortage ofpublic space for passive and recreation use is very severe in this area. The northeast part of Mong Kok is dominated by residential buildings. As there ¿re no shopping malls and major roads, and the majority ofbuildings are comparatively new, the environment is the best among the district. The southwest Mong Kok is the "oldest" area in Mong Kok. It has the most number of buildings that were built before 1955(Fig. 2). (Yeung Lo Guan-cui, 1988) The area is famous for selling construction materials and having many "night clubs". In all, the environment is not very favorable. At the west end ofMong Koþ Tai Kok Tsui is an industrial area. A few residential buildings are located at the boundary- Since theie are a number ofroads, namely Lai Chi Kok Roa{ Tong lvfi Road, Tai Kok Tsui Road, going through the are4 the streets are very noisy and dusty. Hence, they are not pedestrian-friendly. Although the shortage ofpublic space is not as severe âs the shopping are4 it is still far from satisfaction. Figure scene seen Figure 2 Tþical dilapidated buildings in ldong Kok 1.2 Community Profile2 Population Due to the development of new towns, the population ofMong Kok was decreasing in the past decade. In 1996, the population ofMong Kok is 157,017. It v/as forecasted in 1992 that the population ofMong Kok would decrease to 150,300 by year 2001. (Planning Department, 1992) However, since immigrants from Mainland China have kept coming to Hong Kong in recent years, the population of Mong Kok in the future may not be as forecasted i¡ 1992. Although there is no any population forecast on Mong Kok after 1992, statistics and forecast of YauTsimMong's population may be used as a reference. Just like Mong Kok, YauTsimMong's population was decreasing before 1996. However, its population was rebounded in the 1998 By-Census. A¡d it was forecasted that the population of YauTsimMong would be increased to 318,700 by year 2001. Therefore, the population of Mong Kok is very likely to increase in the future. 86 Census 9l Census 96 Census 98 Census 2001 Popul¡tion Forccast Mong Kok 202,412 170,368 157,017 150,300 (at 1992) YauTsfuMong 353,437 282.060 260,573 300,700 318,700 (at 1998) Age Structure The age structure of Mong Kok is similar to that of Kowloon. Yet, compared to Hong Kong 2 as a whole, Mong Kok has a higher proportion of population aged 60 and over Under 5 5-14 Others and over Mong Kok 5v" llo/" 66Yo tav¡ Honq Kons 6yo 13r,/t 67o/o 140/" Household Characteristics The average domestic household size of Mong Kok is smaller than that of Hong Kong and Kowloon. The average domestic household size (persons per household) ofrro-ng rõng (all land area) and Kowloon are 3.3 and 3.2; while the househóld size in 4 rÞur in Ir,i'ong Èot a.e ranging from 2.8 to 2.9. Hong Kong Kowloon TPU 2.2.1 TPU 2.2.2 TPU 2.2.7 T.PU 2.2.9 everage <lomestic household J.J 3.2 ;ize (oerso¡s ¡re¡ houeholdì 2.8 2.8 2.9 2.9 As far as the household income is concerned, the median monthly household income ofHong Kong is 17,500 (HK$); while that of Mong Kok is ranging from i2,500 to 17,000, which is slightly lower than that of Hong Kong. Note that there isã dramatic difference amor€ the four TPUs in Mong Kok. The households inTprJ 2.2.1and 2.2.9, which are the uon! Kok west and rai Kok Tsui areas, have much lower income than the households in the otåõ two TPUs, which h¿ving the median close to that of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.