UTC 3: Who has a right to Asia's World City: 1% vs 99 %

Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

UTC

03

Who has a right to Asia’s World City:1% vs 99%?

29 August 2015 Hong Kong, China

2 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

Urban Thinkers Campus Partner Organisation

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3 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

Table of Contents Urban Thinkers Campus in figures ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Introduction to UTC .................................................................................................................................................................... 5 The City We Need Principle(s) addressed.................................................................................................................................. 5 Key outcomes of the UTC........................................................................................................................................................... 8 Key recommendations................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Key actors................................................................................................................................................................................. 11 Outstanding issues................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Speakers................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

4 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

Urban Thinkers Campus in figures

9

170

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED

PARTICIPANTS

5

CONSTITUENT GROUPS REPRESENTED

22

ORGANIZATIONS

5 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

Introduction

The Urban Thinker Campus (UTC) was co-organized by Designing Hong

a near 20 year freeze on starting salaries, unaffordable housing, a loss of

Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Faculty of Social Science,

street frontage for small businesses, and hegemony over land resources by

the Urban Studies Programme, the Master of Urban Design Programme

the few property developers. The situation for Hong Kong is complicated

and the Institute of Future Cities) to discuss who has a right to the city of

by the ongoing integration with the Mainland.

Hong Kong.

The discussions were organized along a number of themes, including: The objectives of the UTC were to better understand Hong Kong’s

World city vs. Great city; Mainland integration; Public space in a dense

challenges and the lessons for global urban development. The Umbrella

city; Speculative vs. affordable housing; and Land hegemony. Solid

Movement – took hold of Hong Kong’s streets for three months in 2014. It

discussions allowed participants to critically review the adequacy of

brought to the fore the growing socio-spatial disparity. It also put the spot

The City We Need document, and to reach consensus on proposed

light on a narrowing job base, a lack of entrepreneurial opportunities, and

amendments.

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The City We Need Principle(s) addressed We have addressed all nine principles discussed in The City We Need document.

6 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

Matrix of linkages - TCWN 1.0 vs. new recommendations The City We Need Principles 1.0

Recommendations for The City We Need:

The city we need is socially inclusive

The city we need is socially inclusive.

It provides spaces and opportunities for all segments and age groups of the population to partake in social and cultural expressions and interactions. It eliminates all physical, spatial, material and immaterial forms of segregation and exclusion.

It should take the necessary steps to raise the public’s awareness of the value of urban diversity. To foster a thriving society the city should enable the growth of each individual. The city we need fosters a spirit of respect and care about one and other and the environment. It endeavors to develop a concept of “WE rather than ME”. The city we need recognizes its dependence on its rural hinterlands, and its ecological footprint.

The city we need is well planned,

The city we need is well planned and designed to be attractive, walkable, and transit-friendly.

walkable, and transit-friendly Continuous public space networks link different parts of the city and offer comfortable spaces for different human activities across the cities. Schools are within walking or biking distance from homes. Offices are located no farther than a few transit stops away from homes. Public facilities and shopping for daily necessities are within walking distance of residential buildings and located near transit stops. Open space for recreation is near schools, work, and home. Priorities should be given to pedestrians and higher open space ratio should be achieved.

The city we need is a regenerative city

The city we need is a regenerative city.

It is designed to be resilient by being energy efficient, low-carbon, and increasingly reliant on renewable energy sources. It produces and replenishes the resources it consumes and recycles and reuses waste. It uses water, land, energy and other resources in a coordinated manner and in harmony with its natural environment and surrounding hinterland in support of urban and peri-urban agriculture. It prioritizes the development of brownfields and the use of sustainable food supply and green building materials.

The city we need is economically vibrant

The city we need is economically vibrant, inclusive and promotes social mobility

and inclusive It encourages and fosters local economic development from the smallest entrepreneur to the largest corporations. It provides a one-stop shop for streamlined licensing and other administrative services. It recognizes and protects the specific needs of the informal sector of the economy in its economic development policies and strategies. The city we need provides adequate job opportunities and career options for all ages especially the younger generation. The economic structure should allow people to move up the social ladder instead of being stuck in a socially polarized scenario.

The city we need has a positive identity

The city we need has a positive identity, a strong sense of place and generates a sense of belonging.

and sense of place It recognizes culture and diversity as key to human dignity and to sustainability. It recognizes the value of heritage, tradition and organic strengths. It highlights the importance of conservation of culture and lifestyle of local people and its citizens have a strong sense of place and ownership to the city. The creative potential of all citizens should be enhanced and prioritized. It strengthens the bonds between city and its surrounding hinterland.

The city we need is a safe city

The city we need is a safe city.

The city is welcoming night and day, inviting all people to use the streets, parks, and transit without fear. Public officials the police, the fire department, and health, welfare, transit, and environmental services - and neighborhood residents and community groups communicate frequently and speak with one voice. It prevents unsustainable practices and regulations are reviewed regularly.

7 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

The City We Need Principles 1.0

Recommendations for The City We Need:

The city we need is a healthy city

The city we need is a healthy and livable city.

The city’s parks and gardens are havens of peace and tranquility and harbor local flora and fauna and biodiversity. All public and private entities providing public services (water, waste, energy, transport) work together with the city’s residents and have public and environmental health as a common performance indicator. The city should use energy in a sustainable manner; equate social cohesion with healthy lifestyle and balance housing with public space provision.

The city we need is affordable and

The city we need is just, fair, affordable, and equitable.

equitable.

Land, infrastructure, housing, and basic services are planned with different income groups involved. Public services and land resources are planned together with the communities they serve and consciously include the needs of women, youth, minorities and vulnerable populations. Everyone inhabiting the city should be regarded as a citizen regardless of legal status. It avoids deprivation of rights and services to citizens and strives to represent public interests.

The city we need is managed at the

The city we need is participatory and managed at the metropolitan level.

metropolitan level It coordinates sectorial policies and actions (economy, mobility, biodiversity, energy, water, and waste) within a comprehensive and coherent local framework. It incorporates a strong sense of community. Citizens are equipped with the knowledge and means to express their views on urban issues. They engage in city management and planning decisions through transparent public discussion. Communities and neighborhoods are active participants in metropolitan decision making. Roles and responsibilities between all stakeholders, while respecting the principle of subsidiarity, are clearly defined with resources allocated strategically, justly, and around a common agenda. It has a government that listens and responds to a trusting people. In summary, the city we need is socially inclusive, well-planned, regenerative and resilient, and prosperous.

The city we need embraces and

A regenerative city dares to experiment.

encourages experimentation in the use and development of space.

The city we need is regenerative and not afraid to open itself to new ideas and innovations and communicates well at all levels. The city we need engages in an open and transparent way at local, regional and national levels. It welcomes new ideas, experiments, and innovation. It develops multi- level open and democratic institutions and dialogue.

The city we need cares.

The city we need cares.

The city we need fosters a spirit of respect and care about one another and the environment. It endeavors to develop a concept of WE rather than ME. The city we need recognizes its dependence on its rural hinterlands, and its ecological footprint.

8 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

Key outcomes of the UTC Main outcomes of the discussions:

investors, housing prices are bound to be high. The questions are how to provide affordable housing and how to build

•

Thorough discussions of the five thematic areas central to the future

sustainable communities.

development of Hong Kong

• Public space in a dense city: • World city vs. great city:

Public spaces in Hong Kong include streets/roads, parks etc.

The Vision of a healthy and livable city where people are

but there has not been integrated/holistic views on these often

aware of biodiversity, the importance of producing less waste,

over-regulated spaces. People are yearning for diversified

adopt low carbon living style, pursue sustainability, less self-

walkable, cycle-friendly and comfortable public spaces in the

centred and willing to recreate the village feeling, treating one

city!

another with respect and responsibility. The city should have

• Land hegemony:

affordable housing, mixed urban diversity and zones for urban

The colonial legacy of “de-historising” and “de-politicising”

experimentation.

education, the lack of information in the public domain,

• Mainland integration:

government-private sector collusion have all contributed to the

Hong Kong and China are both learning to make the integration

hegemonic thoughts that there is scarcity of land in Hong Kong.

successful. The benefits and barriers for Hong Kong to integrate with China and Chinese immigrants integrating into Hong Kong

•

society were discussed and some solutions suggested.

• Speculative vs. affordable housing: As land proceeds is an important source of revenue for the government and housing in Hong Kong is available to outside

Proposals for changes to the City We Need principles and roadmap were agreed on.

•

The participants from all walks of life have pledged to join future discussions about Hong Kong’s future.

9 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

Key recommendations World city vs. great city:

Mainland integration:

A great city is not just an economically competitive world city. Rather, it

There is a need to develop some kind of consensus among different parties

should be a city that updates or invents economic policies to incentivize good

in Hong Kong regarding its relationship with mainland China. Hong Kong

and green practices and devises appropriate laws to encourage competition.

perhaps can learn from the European Union on how smaller countries

A great city pays attention to using existing resources more efficiently,

benefit from integrating with bigger entities or political economies.

investing in renewable resources and providing green infrastructure such as

A regional perspective is necessary for urban planning in Hong Kong.

recycling facilities and cycling tracks. A great city seeks to be self-sufficient,

Residents in Hong Kong and mainland China should learn from one another

respecting the principle of geographical equity. To enhance the production

how things work in their specific context. Eventually there is a need to have

of a city that people need, a great city embraces ‘experimental urbanism’,

a democratic institution to plan and manage the region that facilitates

creating space prototypes (e.g. small civic spaces for community use or

dialogues to promote mutual understanding, resolving value and cultural

new types of living cum working spaces) that demonstrate an efficient and

differences and facilitating physical integration. However, this may be

equitable use of the public realm by different stakeholders. Through the

difficult if China continues to refuse granting Hong Kong a truly democratic

co-use of space and places by different stakeholders, citizens can cultivate

political entity.

mutual respect, love and caring attitudes. Information and communication technologies will be used to disseminate information, engage and empower the general public, allowing decisions to be made in a more transparent

Speculative vs. affordable housing:

and decentralized manner. School curriculums can also be reformulated to

The Government should play a stronger role in deterring speculative

encourage behavioural changes.

practices in the property market and introduce rent control. To provide more affordable housing, the Government should build more public (subsidized) housing. Indeed people should have a right to affordable housing and to choose where they want to live. Housing should be seen as in its use value not exchange value. A bottom-up approach should be used to understand the housing needs of different groups including the elderly and the homeless.

Mandating the proper maintenance of old buildings could be another source of affordable housing. Urban planning can also help to facilitate the construction of more private housing. More planning and design efforts should be made to integrate old and new developments.

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10 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

Public space in a dense city:

Land hegemony:

It is very important to design public space to the differential needs of

To overcome the problem of land hegemony (there is a perceived

different demographic groups. Cities we need provide a variety and diversity

understanding that Government has been pro-growth and has privileged

of public open space, including car free environments for pedestrians

the developers in the development process as over a quarter of its revenue

and cyclists. More activities should be allowed in the public realm (as

is related to land sale and subsequent development), a more democratic

currently the Government managed public parks forbid many activities

system is required when it comes to land use development and planning.

including ball games and cycling, etc.) such as community gardening to

There needs to be an interactive platform between the Government and

boost social inclusiveness. Instead of privatizing public space, Government

the general public, including the district council representatives, estate

should introduce policies that include spaces for social uses in commercial

management companies, the public etc. to understand the needs of property

facilities such as mandating public/social spaces in shopping malls and

users before plans are generated. The plans generated should be carefully

mass transit stations etc. More power should be given to local communities

assessed and reviewed by the public, media etc. through the facilitation

in terms of designing and managing open space, including revitalizing

of a third party organization before decisions are made. The third party

street level interactions, building roof-top gardens in local facilities and

organization should also continue to monitor the execution of the plan by

organizing community-based activities in local spaces/streets (currently

the Government, developers or NGOs.

there is no mechanism to allow this to happen). This will also facilitate the dissemination of information on open space for different groups. To allow a better use of the public realm by different groups, other policy changes are required. For instance, work/life balance needs to be addressed as the majority of the working population simply has no time to enjoy public space.

Housing needs of the homeless has to be attended to so that public spaces currently occupied by the homeless can be released for public use.

Besides a more transparent land development process, information and communication technology can be invoked to facilitate the circulation of information and small-scale cooperative development that can enhance the practice of joint-ownership, cooperative housing or the building of an urban common. We can also encourage civil servants to learn about the latest socio-political conditions. More information on the property stakeholders should be provided. To alleviate the problem of land hegemony, there is a need to widen the tax base, diversity the economy and educate the general public the genesis of today’s problems.

11 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

Key actors

Outstanding issues

Everyone needs to be involved in order to achieve the stated suggestions

Hong Kong has a long way to go to achieve The City We Need. The Cinese

above:

University of Hong Kong (CUHK) will endeavor to facilitate the continuation

•

Government: update laws, enforcement, managing public finance to

of the dialogue.

incentivize, educate the general public and engage the communities using ICT, increasing flat size, pedestrian Central areas, developing comprehensive cycling tracks, ‘public servants on public transport’, engage the public in making decisions, empowering district councils, develop prototypes for urban experiments, use competition policy to

Urban solutions

break monopoly, set up democratic planning mechanisms at different

Reframing development philosophy, culture and mindset

geographical levels

To build the city we need, a reframing of our development philosophy is in order. What we need is people-centred and environment-centred

•

•

Private sector: investing in urban green infrastructure, urban

development that aims to empower people in the long run. This would

regeneration and ICT, build larger flats

require cultural or mindset changes about the ultimate goal of development.

NGOs: The Cinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to facilitate future

Urban spaces are for use, and not just for exchange values in the market.

dialogues •

about China and integrate better with mainland Chinese, behavioral

Long-term policies to empower people and nurture the environment

changes to be aware of biodiversity, respect one another, express

Long-term strategies should be developed to promote policies for

views and participate in planning and land development issues

ecologically friendly infrastructure development and integrated land use,

Individuals: needs to work harder in terms of learning, learn more

transport and environmental planning to meet people’s needs in city living such as affordable housing.

Decentralization of planning, implementation and decisionmaking power There needs to be decentralization of planning, implementation and decision-making power so that people are not just being consulted but have the opportunities to participate and make decisions throughout the planning and development process, enhancing its transparency. Credible third parties from the civil society or academia may also be involved in the process to MSc in UD x CUHK @MSCUDxCUHK

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ensure procedural justice and equitable outcomes. Local councils or specific authorities should be delegated the implementation power so that concrete outcomes such as green infrastructure, non-motorized transportation network, civil spaces for community building or re-communing can be delivered.

12 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

Speakers Urban Lab

Affiliation

Moderators

World City vs. Great City

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Mee Kam Ng

World City vs. Great City

Make a Difference

Ada Wong

Mainland Integration

Hong Kong Institute of Planners

Eunice Mak

Mainland Integration

Designing Hong Kong

Paul Zimmermen

Public Space in a Dense City

Hong Kong Public Space Initiative

Kenneth Chan

Public Space in a Dense City

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hendrik Tieben

Speculative Vs. Affordable Housing

Master Plan Consultancy

Ian Brownlee

Speculative Vs. Affordable Housing

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Edward Yiu

Land Hegemony

Liber Research Community

Kim Ching Chan

Land Hegemony

The University of Hong Kong

Cecilia Chu

13 Urban Thinkers Campus: 03 – Who has a right to Asia’s World City: 1% vs 99%?

List of all countries present 1. Australia

4. Hong Kong

7. The Netherlands

2. Canada

5. Malaysia

8. Turkey

3. China

6. New Zealand

9. United Kingdom

List of organizations present

List of partners

1. School of Architecture,

1. ACT Social Awareness Network

2. The Chinese University of Hong Kong

2. Center for Architecture and Urbanism

3. Department of Geography and Resource Management,

3. Central & Western Concern Group

4. The Chinese University of Hong Kong

4. Civic Exchange

5. Institute of Future Studies

5. Hong Kong Public Space Initiative

6. Urban Studies Programme,

6. Make A Difference

7. The Chinese University of Hong Kong

7. The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS)

8. The Master of Urban Design Programme,

8. The Asia-Pacific Housing Forum

9. The Chinese University of Hong Kong

9. Institution of Civil Engineers

10. Faculty of Social Science,

10. Hong Kong Institute Landscape Architects

11. The Chinese University of Hong Kong

11. Hong Kong Institute of Planners

12. Designing Hong Kong

12. Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design 13. HKCSS - HSBC Social Enterprise Business Centre 14. WECONS 15. Hong Kong Institute of Asia Pacific Studies

www.arch.cuhk.edu.hk/urbandesign/urbanthinkers2015.html

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