RETHINKING THE MODULAR CITY

This study explored the ‘Modular City’ qualities in Hong Kong New Towns, deriving from their phased development and multiple independent estates. To improve the collaboration and exchange between different modules, the project explores strategies to transform lower level buildings and public spaces that add new functions and open up gated communities.

Through an analysis of the underlying mechanisms that produce gated communities, the project identifies solutions to reduce boundaries, improve function mixing and promote activities of exchange and collaboration between various groups of New Town residents. By rethinking the relationship between private and public space, the project shows how more vibrant street life, social engagement and a sense of community could be established in Tin Shui Wai, to improve residents quality of life and social mobility.

In Tin Shui Wai, there are three main types of modules: public and private housing, and public open space. There is a lack of employment and commercial opportunities, and certain types of culture and recreation. The project explores adding in additional functions in the modules, to create a more diverse range of communities which each contain a mixture of functions.

This speculative ‘upgrade plan’ for Tin Shui Wai shows how around the existing residential towers, new low-rise construction is added to achieve new mixtures of functions and more street-based social and commercial activities. The layout of the public spaces would also be adapted, to add new pedestrian and cycling networks across the entire New Town, and transform some of its open spaces into vibrant pedestrian zones and community spaces that support everyday life.