Should non-profit activities be allowed in open public space?
The government recently told developers that all activities blocking or partially blocking the open spaces intended for public passage must not be held, even if the event is not for profit.
This is a follow-up action from the government (through the Buildings Department) and is a response to the recent outcry over the privately owned and public open spaces issue.
I think the government has gone from one extreme to another and this response is totally unnecessary. It also illustrates the rigid attitude officials take when they have to deal with sensitive issues.
The open space issue essentially comes down to whether or not any developers have deprived the public of its rights in order to make a profit.
If they rent out a supposedly public open space for profit, they are the only party that gains, because the public has lost its right of passage for that particular space. That is why there has been such an outcry.
If the developers were kind enough to let out their space for cultural activities, such as assisting in nurturing local talent, I suspect there would be very few complaints and everyone would gain - the developers, for being seen to support cultural activities, the local talent, by getting a free venue, and the public, for the chance to view these activities free of charge.