Advisor | Nelson Chen
Jim, Lau Pui Yin
HONG KONG HEGEMONY RECLAIM CENTRAL - WEALTH GAP IN SOCIETY IS REFLECTED IN URBAN BUILT FORM... Location: Central, Hong Kong Programme: Judiciary System
Email: jimlaupuiyin@gmail.com Mobile: 6448 4272
Hegemony is defined as authority, control or influence by one dominant group over another. In Hong Kong, land supply is strictly controlled by Government; development is largely controlled by a handful of large developers. Together, Government and developers dictate urban development to maximize their respective profits. The increasing gap between rich and poor is reflected in the increasing gap in urban places that are economically affordable by the majority of people. For example, Central is the urban core of our city but no longer affordable by most except for the highest end of commercial offices and retail, and increasingly at the expense of diversity and neighbourhoods, of people and places.
In particular, high land prices and high density developments cause public space to be viewed as prohibitively expensive to provide and maintain. Public space is generally neglected and, when provided, is often residual, leftover space. Objective of this thesis was to design a project that demonstrates the essential need to integrate more truly accessible public buildings and public spaces within the context of monopolistic urban developments – urban places and spaces that serve as both public destinations and connectors within the city.
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Jim Lau Pui Yin | Hong Kong Hegemony
Above - Civic Concourse between Judiciary System and Public, a contemporary agora that serves our society the freedom of exchange. Middle Left - Civic Concourse Entrance, connecting Statue Square, leading public onto a new grade over Connaught Road and out to the water front. Middle Right - Urban Public Axis - 1:300 Sectional Model, serve as a connector from the heart of the city to the edge of water front, also creating varies of destinations along both the linear and lateral direction. Right - Mega Court, introducing Mega Court in to Hong Kong’s Judiciary System to serve the high-profiles court cases that are subject to intensive media attention. Viewing gallery and public deck staked vertically to promote high transparency between the system and public. Facing page Left - City - Water Front Connection, a linear strip of development that responds to the site condition and stitch the city fabric together. Right - Urban Experience, varies of spaces that serve the public’s activities both indoor and outdoor, generate a new urban experience to the public.
Jim Lau Pui Yin | Hong Kong Hegemony