The extension of public space

Fig. 1. “A man smoking in the back alleys.” Raydak, Hong Kong. From: Raydak,   https://raydak.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/hong-kongs-alleyways/ (accessed 23th Sept, 2016).

In Hong Kong, many public spaces like laneways are always abandoned. Even though those spaces are undesirable, they still have its potential to be optimized. In western countries, some unwanted spaces such as laneways are activated to line with a variety of cafes, restaurants and boutique shops. Those redesigned laneways not only become an extension of public space, but also increase the connectivity within the city.

In my thesis, I will study the idea of laneways in Melbourne as a case study. Then, I will investigate a methodology of revitalizing laneways between buildings in Hong Kong.