— By Chan Wing Han Penny
1. Public and private space
Public space is defined as an area where everyone, regardless of his or her background, can enter without prerequisite, while Private space are spaces which are owned by particular groups or individuals but not the community, and are meant for private use. However, private ownership does not necessarily mean a space is exclusively for private use. There are also privately owned public spaces(POPS), which exist due to requirements on the lease or simply business decisions.
Public space in 4G/5G includes every space we share, both physically and non-physically. Even things happening in the air, or the rights of accessing data, are a relatively new form of public space. The use of ICT can form a more intelligent use of public space. The Hong Kong Smart City Blueprint by the HKSAR suggests a trend of using ICT to improve the city. Hence, this part is looking into how current and possible future use of ICT in the study area.
2. Data
2. The spatial distribution of Public Wifi
The number of Wi-Fi.HK Hotspots in Kwai Chung is just a very small portion of the total number in Hong Kong, showing that the wifi coverage is below standard.
2.2 CCTV (Closed circuit television cameras)
|
Districts |
No. of CCTV cameras |
No. of CCTV systems |
|
|
TD |
LCSD |
HD |
|
|
Central & Western |
11 |
434 |
5 |
|
Eastern |
13 |
363 |
69 |
|
Southern |
1 |
143 |
44 |
|
Wan Chai |
16 |
332 |
/ |
|
Kowloon City |
14 |
305 |
29 |
|
Yau Tsim Mong |
23 |
892 |
5 |
|
Sham Shui Po |
19 |
269 |
116 |
|
Wong Tai Sin |
5 |
241 |
130 |
|
Kwun Tong |
14 |
287 |
167 |
|
Tai Po |
21 |
89 |
15 |
|
Tuen Mun |
37 |
141 |
59 |
|
Yuen Long |
46 |
216 |
90 |
|
North |
26 |
135 |
19 |
|
Sai Kung |
0 |
154 |
27 |
|
Sha Tin |
69 |
417 |
77 |
|
Islands |
73 |
166 |
39 |
|
Tsuen Wan |
117 |
269 |
149 |
|
Kwai Tsing |
13 |
72 |
60 |
|
Total |
518 |
4925 |
~1100 |
2.3. Parking Spots
There are 1342 official parking spots which are taking up more spaces than needed. With the development under the Smart City Blueprint, more smart parking slots will be implemented. Kwai Tsing district, especially in Tsing Yi, is also one of the suggested areas in the pilot programme.
District Council District | Total Number of bicycle parking spaces |
Central and Western | 40 |
Wan Chai | 8 |
Eastern | 44 |
Southern | 13 |
Kowloon City | 75 |
Sham Shui Po | 60 |
Kwun Tong | 0 |
Kwai Tsing | 20 |
Yau Tsim Mong | 108 |
District Council District | Total Number of bicycle parking spaces |
Wong Tai Sin | 0 |
Islands | 6 017 |
North | 6 229 |
Sai Kung | 5 661 |
Sha Tin | 12 004 |
Tai Po | 6 762 |
Tsuen Wan | 110 |
Tuen Mun | 5 878 |
Yuen Long | 14 703 |
Total | 57 732 |
3. Opportunities and Constraints
The above data and previous studies show some lack of current use of ICT and the quality of public space. Looking at all the other systems together, there are 4 major opportunities to improve the area. They include utilising ‘informal’ spaces(e.g. vertical spaces, alleys, transport cabins), improving current space through ICT and a clearer definition of ownership, developing mobile applications to connect people and share information among the community, and lastly, introducing smart system networks. Yet, there may be constraints like public and private sector cooperation, privacy issues, and the need to universalise people’s use of ICT that should be considered in the following stages.
1. HK SMART CITY BLUEPRINT Retrieved from https://www.smartcity.gov.hk
2. Wfi.hk hotspot. Retrieved from https://www.wi-fi.hk/en/Hotspot/Location
3. Installation of CCTV systems in public places Retrieved from https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr01-02/english/panels/se/papers/se0409cb2-1770-1e.pdf
4. 葵青區議會 – 將青衣區納入智能系統先導計劃的試點[In Chinese]. Retrieved from https://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/kwt/doc/2016_2019/tc/committee_meetings_doc/TTC/16398/29_D_2019.pdf
5. number of bicycle parking spaces in each district. Retrieved from https://www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/pressreleases/transport/land/2017/0712_LCQ8_annex1_e.pdf