THE DYNAMIC CITY: A THREE-DIMENSIONAL FUNCTION MIX

Li Hejuan Wang Yuxuan

This project explores possiblities for mixing different urban functions in a fine-grained and three-dimensional manner. By stacking and nesting various complimentary functions, this urban centre would be activated by different groups of people from all ages and backgrounds, at all times of the day. A network of public spaces at different height levels, combined with elevated pedestrian walkways creates a multi-level ground condition to give access to the complex clustering of indoor and outdoor spaces.

By incorporating large landscaped public spaces in the heart of these mixed-use development models, the project also proposes an alternative to Hong Kong’s typically commercially driven Transport Oriented Development (TOD) nodes. By bringing truly public space, daylight and greenery into the center of the TOD node, a new balance between economic interest and civic space is found.

Dynamic City In A Garden

The project explores strategies for the mixing of live, work and recreation functions vertically and horizontally. A business-oriented zone is combined with hotel and residential functiond, and a private housing estate is combined with a retail and hospitality area.

Increased function mixing strategies for Hong Kong’s New Towns could be applied in future New Development Areas, as well as for upgrading existing New Towns. Mono-functional plots could receive additional podium buildings with active street frontage, to improve the vibrancy of the public realm.

Existing public housing estates could be retrofitted with additional cultural and educational facilities, providing employment and learning opportunities for local residents (visualisations by Li Yibing and Lin Shuiyang).