Learning from Older Adults’ Use of Urban Parks in Hong Kong’s Low-income Areas
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Published:
Jun 26, 2022
Keywords:
Urban parks Spatial justice Healthy ageing Park use Everyday life
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Abstract
Spatial justice, specifically accessibility, Universal Design and the fulfilment of human rights for vulnerable groups are increasingly important issues in urban research and city-level agendas concerning public spaces. Although the development of older adult–friendly urban environments is part of the agenda to promote healthy ageing societies, public spaces (e.g., urban parks) often exclude those in the advanced age group in the community. This article aims to clarify the everyday activities of older adults in urban parks by focusing on the extreme case of Sham Shui Po. Sham Shui Po is a low-income, high-density and public space–scarce neighbourhood in Hong Kong, a city characterised by a rapidly ageing population and high socio-spatial inequality. Through on-site observations and notetaking, two small urban parks, namely the Nam Cheong Street Park (NCSA) and Tai Hung Tang Park (THTP), were studied. NCSA, located in a congested vehicular street median, is predominantly for social activities. It forms a part of the daily route of residents and inhabitants from different ethnicities. Unaccompanied older adults, with limited mobilities, regularly use NCSA to navigate the neighbourhood. THTP is a site for older adults to engage in physical activities and also accommodates large groups and caregivers. Defensive architecture and design layout may affect the group size in the parks, while sittable edges may directly contribute to the park use by older adults with physical impairment, particularly near street crossings. The findings from this extreme neighbourhood highlight the critical role of landscape infrastructure for healthy ageing societies.
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How to Cite
Villani, C., Siu, K. W. M. and Yang, Z. (2022) “Learning from Older Adults’ Use of Urban Parks in Hong Kong’s Low-income Areas”, The Journal of Public Space, 7(2), pp. 9–28. doi: 10.32891/jps.v7i2.1473.
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Academic
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Cheng, C. (2013) Sham Shui Po: The Centre of Poverty in Hong Kong on JSTOR. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch 53: 7–30.
Chen H, Ng MK., Es M., et al. (2018) Socio-spatial polarization and the (re-)distribution of deprived groups in world cities: A case study of Hong Kong. Urban Geography 39(7). Routledge: 969–987. DOI: 10.1080/02723638.2017.1421392.
Chen, Y-F., Cheung, YS and Tieben, H. (2020) Observations on Access and Use of Public Space during COVID-19 in Hong Kong and Taipei. The Journal of Public Space 5(3): 91–104. DOI: 10.32891/jps.v5i3.1381.
Clarkson, PJ, Waller, S. and Cardoso, C. (2015) Approaches to estimating user exclusion. Applied Ergonomics 46(PB). Elsevier: 304–310. DOI: 10.1016/J.APERGO.2013.03.001.
de Certeau, M., Giard, L. and Mayol, P. (1998) Practice of Everyday Life: Volume 2: Living and Cooking. University of Minnesota Press.
Duan, Y., Wagner, P., Zhang, R., et al. (2018) Physical activity areas in urban parks and their use by the elderly from two cities in China and Germany. Landscape and Urban Planning 178. Elsevier: 261–269. DOI: 10.1016/J.LANDURBPLAN.2018.06.009.
Gehl, J. and Svarre, B. (2013) How to Study Public Life. Washington, DC: Island Press.
Gehl, J. (1989). A Changing Street Life in a Changing Society. Places, 6(1): 8-17. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/46r328ks.
Loukaitou-Sideris, A. and Ehrenfeucht, R. (2009) Sidewalks Conflict and Negotiation over Public Space. Cambridge: MIT Press.
Gong, F., Zheng, Z-C. and Ng E. (2016) Modeling Elderly Accessibility to Urban Green Space in High Density Cities: A Case Study of Hong Kong. Procedia Environmental Sciences 36. Elsevier: 90–97. DOI: 10.1016/J.PROENV.2016.09.018.
He, Y., Talamini, G. and Jiang, L. (2021) Does urban renewal impact social interaction in public open space? Evidence from Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357394727_Does_urban_renewal_impact_social_interaction_in_public_open_space_Evidence_from_Sham_Shui_Po_Hong_Kong (accessed 4 January 2022).
HKSAR (2019) Population ageing trend of Hong Kong. Hong Kong.
HKSAR Census and Statistics Department (2016) 2016 Population By-census.
HKSAR Census and Statistics Department (2020) Population and Household Statistics Analysed by District Council District 2020 Population and Household Statistics Analysed by District Council District 2020.
Jian, IY, Luo, J. and Chan, EHW (2020) Spatial justice in public open space planning: Accessibility and inclusivity. Habitat International 97(August 2019). Elsevier Ltd: 102122. DOI: 10.1016/j.habitatint.2020.102122.
Jian, IY., Chan, EHW, Xu, Y., et al. (2021) Inclusive public open space for all: Spatial justice with health considerations. Habitat International 118. Pergamon: 102457. DOI: 10.1016/J.HABITATINT.2021.102457.
Lai, C. (2017) Unopened Space: Mapping Equitable Availability of Open Space in Hong Kong. Hong Kong. Available at: http://civic-exchange.org/cex_reports/20170224POSreport_FINAL.pdf:.Civic. Exchange.
Leung, HH. (2020) Urban space and leisure in Hong Kong: The health and social life of elderly bird-keepers. Journal of Urban Affairs. DOI: 10.1080/07352166.2020.1722029.
Levy-Storms, L., Chen, L. and Loukaitou-Sideris, A. (2018) Older Adults’ needs and preferences for open space and physical activity in and near parks: A systematic review. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. Human Kinetics Publishers Inc. DOI: 10.1123/japa.2016-0354.
Loukaitou-Sideris, A., Brozen, M. and Levy-Storms, L. (2014) Placemaking for an Aging Population: Guidelines for Senior-Friendly Parks. 1 June. Available at: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/450871hz (accessed 30 September 2021).
Low, S. (2016) Public Space and Diversity: Distributive, Procedural and Interactional Justice for Parks. In: The Routledge Research Companion to Planning and Culture. Routledge, pp. 315–330. DOI: 10.4324/9781315613390-33.
Low, S. and Iveson, K. (2016) Propositions for more just urban public spaces. City 20(1): 10–31. DOI: 10.1080/13604813.2015.1128679.
Ma, Y., Siu, KWM and Zou, G. (2020) Contradictory and consistent views on designing an inclusive community-based centre for older people: a mixed-methods study of different age groups in China. Ageing & Society 40(9). Cambridge University Press: 1867–1886. DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X19000254.
Mehta, V. (2009) Look closely and you will see, listen carefully and you will hear: Urban design and social interaction on streets. Journal of Urban Design 14(1): 29–64. DOI: 10.1080/13574800802452658.
Murakami, J., Villani, C. and Talamini, G. (2021) The capital value of pedestrianization in Asia’s commercial cityscape: Evidence from office towers and retail streets. Transport Policy 107. Pergamon Press: 72–86. DOI: 10.1016/J.TRANPOL.2021.04.017.
Nadimpalli, S. (2020) Missed Pauses and Everyday Interactions for Migrant Indian Women during COVID-19 Times. The Journal of Public Space 5(3): 115–120. DOI: 10.32891/jps.v5i3.1295.
Park, S., Han, B., Cohen, DA, et al. (2018) Contributions of Neighborhood Parks to Physical Activity in High-Poverty Urban Neighborhoods. Journal of Urban Health 95(6). Journal of Urban Health: 881–887. DOI: 10.1007/s11524-018-0320-0.
Pleson, E., Nieuwendyk, LM, Lee, KK., et al. (2014) Understanding Older Adults’ Usage of Community Green Spaces in Taipei, Taiwan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2014, Vol. 11, Pages 1444-1464 11(2). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute: 1444–1464. DOI: 10.3390/IJERPH110201444.
Pu, M. (2001) Public Places in Asia Pacific Cities: Current Issues and Strategies - Google Books.
Sankalia, T. (2014) The Median Picnic: Street Design, Urban Informality and Public Space Enforcement. Journal of Urban Design 19(4). Taylor & Francis: 473–495. DOI: 10.1080/13574809.2014.923747.
Siu, KWM (2008) Inclusive Design : Chess for Those Playing by Heart. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Design. Available at: https://research.polyu.edu.hk/en/publications/inclusive-design-chess-for-those-playing-by-heart (accessed 3 January 2022).
Siu, KWM (2013) Regulation and Reception of Public Space in Hong Kong. In: Transcultural Cities. Routledge, pp. 301–314. DOI: 10.4324/9780203075777-32.
Smith, N. and Walters, P. (2018) Desire lines and defensive architecture in modern urban environments. Urban Studies 55(13): 2980–2995. DOI: 10.1177/0042098017732690.
Soja, E. (2010) Seeking Spatial Justice. DOI: 10.1080/14742837.2012.725592.
Tang, B. (2017) Is the distribution of public open space in Hong Kong equitable, why not? Landscape and Urban Planning 161. Elsevier B.V.: 80–89. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.01.004.
Tu, H., Liao, X., Schuller, K., et al. (2015) Insights from an observational assessment of park-based physical activity in Nanchang, China. Preventive Medicine Reports 2. Elsevier: 930–934. DOI: 10.1016/J.PMEDR.2015.08.022.
UNDESA (2015) Income Poverty in Old Age: An Emerging Development Priority.
UNDESA (2019) World Population Ageing 2019. World Population Ageing 2019. Available at: http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/worldageing19502050/pdf/65executivesummary spanish.pdf%0Ahttp://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-007-5204-7_6.
Villani, C. and Talamini, G. (2019) Patterns of Stationary Activities in the Elevated Pedestrian Networks of High-Density Asian Cities: The case of Mong Kok, Hong Kong. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal 4(12): 321. DOI: 10.21834/e-bpj.v4i12.1905.
Villani, C. and Talamini, G. (2020) Socialising on a Skywalk: How Hong Kong’s Elevated Walkways Become Public Open Spaces. Asian Journal of Environment-Behaviour Studies 5(15): 57–72. DOI: 10.21834/aje-bs.v5i15.361.
Villani, C. and Talamini, G. (2021) Pedestrianised streets in the global neoliberal city: A battleground between hegemonic strategies of commodification and informal tactics of commoning. Cities 108: 102983. DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2020.102983.
Villani, C., Talamini, G. and Hu, Z. (2020) The Patterns of Stationary Activities during COVID-19 Distancing Relaxation: The elevated pedestrian network of Mong Kok, Hong Kong. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal 5(15): 445–452. DOI: 10.21834/ebpj.v5i15.2461.
Villani, C., Talamini, G. and Hu, Z. (2021) On the Same Skywalk in a Time of Pandemic: How a vulnerable group copes with the new conditions in Hong Kong. Asian Journal of Environment-Behaviour Studies 5(17). e-IPH Ltd.: 33–48. DOI: 10.21834/ajebs.v5i17.374.
Wen, C., Albert, C. and Von Haaren, C. (2018) The elderly in green spaces: Exploring requirements and preferences concerning nature-based recreation. Sustainable Cities and Society 38(July 2017). Elsevier: 582–593. DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2018.01.023.
World Health Organization (2007) Global Age-Friendly Cities : A Guide. World Health Organization.
World Health Organization (2020) UN Decade of Healthy Ageing: plan of action. https://www.who.int/initiatives/decade-of-healthy-ageing Accessed 25 June 2021.
Xiao, JX., Siu, KWM and Luo MJ (2021) Inclusive Design for Open Spaces in Dense Older Districts: A Comparative Study of Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems 260. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH: 306–313. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-80829-7_38.