Temporary City: Appropriation for Everyday Life in Hong Kong

Abstract

This thesis challenges the pursuit of permanence in cities and sees temporary and tactical appropriation as opportunities to improve the everyday life of people in Hong Kong.

In old districts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with extremely high density, systems of temporary spaces have been developed over the years to accommodate the needs of diverse social groups. However, increasing privatization of public space and severe housing unaffordability disconnect ordinary people from their daily environments and lose the sense of ownership of the city. This resentment became apparent in the protests in 2014 and 2019.

By exploring the processes and typology of space appropriation alongside the shifting needs of people, this thesis proposes a network through a phone application called BOO! with three typologies that are made of bamboo and other light and collapsible materials. With inspiration from Situationist International and Archigram, these structures add playfulness and rhythms to public space.