Opinion | Breathing new life into corners of Hong Kong amid Covid-19 fatigue

The public response to various new or transformed spaces shows there is enthusiasm for the reimagining of urban pockets

The government and companies should do more placemaking or unorthodox projects to cheer up the public

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The opening of the music fountain on Kwun Tong Promenade on April 22. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 7:00pm, 15 May 2021Updated: 7:36pm, 15 May 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has practically grounded most Hongkongers for well over a year, and an end to this de facto ban on holiday travel is nowhere in sight. As there are only so many malls to shop at and country parks to hike through, a slew of openings of new public spaces in recent months have helped combat pandemic fatigue, while showing how overlooked parts of the city can be revitalised.

The newest public space for play to open in Hong Kong is the music fountain on Kwun Tong Promenade. Although its launch last month was overshadowed by a comedian’s web-streamed public shower, the harbourfront facility appears to be a hit with children who will always welcome a chance to have a splashing good time in warm weather.

For a new local landmark from the district councils, the fountain has a relatively simple and practical design and it has not been met with complaints about questionable taste or aesthetics, unlike similar projects.

The most popular new public spaces refreshing Hong Kong in the past 12 months are a series of lively, inventively designed promenades on both sides of Victoria Harbour: at Kennedy Town, Wan Chai North and Tsuen Wan. Led by the Harbourfront Commission, these new shared spaces have turned previously underused sections of the shoreline in the city centre into buzzy spots of communal fun.

Common elements in these attractions are movable street furniture, uplifting decorations by art groups, minimal to no barriers – or even lawn that can be walked on – plus few rules and a surprising absence of security guards. Most importantly, the out-of-the-box designs for the spaces emerged from a bottom-up process of public engagement that attends to the needs and whims of users.

The innovative and experimental spirit of these projects creates an alchemy of surprise, unpredictability and versatility in neighbourhood spots and destinations. The “less is more” design philosophy, together with the flexible management approach, is a refreshing vote of trust in the ability of the pubic to use public spaces responsibly – and a subtle encouragement to play imaginatively.

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