Will a lack of open space damage generations of Hongkongers?
Experts worry about the mental health impact of ‘hostile design measures’ in public parks, in a city where schools must book space for pupils to run
In a crammed city like Hong Kong, where flats can be astonishingly small, residents struggle to find wide open spaces amid all the people and buildings, and that could bring a negative long-term impact, town planning experts warn.
They contend that poor urban planning and limited access to outdoor public spaces affect both mental and physical health, and fear the ripple effect could be felt for generations.
Open space is regarded as any land with minimal building structures, existing for the use and enjoyment of the general public, according to the Town Planning Board. It could be parks and gardens, playgrounds or sitting-out areas managed by the government or private developers.
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“It’s very important to our community,” says Ian Brownlee, managing director of Masterplan Limited, a local planning and development consultancy. “It affects the whole quality of the city and the whole quality of people’s lives. And it also affects the environment in terms of ventilation.”
A study last year by think tank Civic Exchange found that the average open space available for each Hongkonger was about two square metres – the size of a coffin or a toilet cubicle.
Although this meets the minimum standard set by the government, Hongkongers are enjoying far less open space than their counterparts in Shanghai. Residents there enjoy an average of four square metres of open space while Singaporeans have 7.5 square metres.
Brownlee says Hong Kong’s problem stems from the government’s failure to strike a balance between building high-rise buildings and providing open spaces for public enjoyment.