2020 was a challenging year for everyone and this year is no different. Social distancing became the norm, where a plastic plate divides our dining table… but if anything, this time has actually brought all of us together. Community spirit is becoming key to experiencing the togetherness even when people cannot be physically close to each other. Public space is being put to good use to bring the community spirit out.
Public space is defined as a space where everyone and anyone, regardless of their background, can enter and spend time at, while private spaces are owned by particular people or organisations, and are usually meant for personal/private use. Hong Kong is known for being a sleepless city where simultaneous gathering happens, where people get to experience the mixture of culture, information, and fun. It is within the public open spaces of this city where the idea of community spirit is mostly reflected, and needed as a place to relax, gather and have fun. The densely populated and built up nature of the city of Hong Kong puts more emphasis on the need for these interactive public spaces.
With half of the city’s households living in very small houses, it is extremely important for the city to provide a place like this. One of the popular go-tos for locals and visitors is West Kowloon Cultural District, a landscaped park that has the most exciting elements of outdoor public space. The green open space is facing the famous million dollar view of the harbour with abundant greens in the background with walking and cycling paths. West Kowloon Cultural District is the perfect venue for open-air music, dance and theatre performances, art exhibitions and other cultural events. Freespace Fest, Hong Kong's most innovative outdoor arts festival, started in 2012 at West Kowloon Cultural District. The event is a two-day festival that presents the very best local and international acts in music, dance, literary arts, physical theatre and a whole host of activities for people to participate, perform and play.
These kinds of events experiment the possibilities of which public space can offer. Bringing people together and reinforcing the message that the district is developed for all the people of Hong Kong with different backgrounds and interests where it also acts as incubators for developing and nurturing talents in arts for all kinds of people. Inspired by all this, it is important to consider the limited physical condition, especially in the current climate of Covid-19. However it is for sure that these spaces enable people to connect even with certain distances between people.
