Hong Kong's public spaces in private buildings
In Hong Kong, space is at a premium. Homes are small and cramped and buildings are built closely together in the area between the ocean and the mountains. While Hong Kong's housing constraints are in large part the outcome of self-imposed policy choices, there are some bright spots in Hong Kong's building policies. One of these is the "Public Open Space in Private Developments" (POSPD) policy. It encourages developers to build public spaces into developments that the public has a legal right to enter and use in exchange for zoning bonuses or as a condition of Town Planning Board approval.
One of the largest and most well-known POSPDs is the rooftop of the IFC Mall in Central. It has a few enclosed restaurant/bar areas and combined with a large open public area with seating, shade and a beautiful view of the harbor and skyline. The most famous corner of the IFC rooftop is the area next to the base of Hong Kong's second-tallest building, IFC Two. The F&B unit adjacent to this area is currently occupied by Shake Shack which makes it easy to grab a burger or a drink in case you don't want to bring your own. Because it is easy to find for visitors and locals alike and conveniently located just above the Hong Kong end of the train to the airport, it's a great location for both planned and impromptu meetups.
Having these public spaces in high quality, well-maintained venues freely available to anyone is beneficial to society because they enable social interaction and community building that otherwise might not occur because arranging a private venue would be too expensive, too high friction or impossible on short notice.
The IFC Mall rooftop, for example, has played a prominent role in my life in Hong Kong. In my early years in Hong Kong, I spent many Friday evenings having a BYOB get-togethers with college friends after work. Over the past decade, I've lost count of how many technology and other community meetups I've either hosted or attended on the rooftop. I regularly catch up with friends who pass through Hong Kong on short layovers and come into town for an hour or two over a Shake Shack shake. And now that I have a baby, the IFC rooftop has been a convenient place to park the stroller so that baby can be fed while mommy and daddy get a bite to eat and the whole family gets some fresh air and sun before the drive home.
Public spaces in private buildings really contribute to the feeling that the city is an extension of your backyard or your living room. It's not just a place where you go to spend money or do work but a place you go to live. While this is a concept I hope to develop more in the future, for now, let's just say that POSPD policy is a great policy and I hope we see more of it!