Pandemic Reveals the Importance of Open Space to Health and Well-Being

Hong Kong provides a lesson in the importance of open space for the health and well-being of residents, especially during the isolation and distancing of a pandemic.

2 minute read

September 23, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


Parks

i viewfinder / Shutterstock

Parks are known to offer a variety of physical and mental health benefits. They are much needed, especially in dense places like Hong Kong where many people live in tight quarters in high-rise buildings. While public green spaces account for 40% of the total land in Hong Kong, it takes an average of one hour for residents to reach one of the largest parks which are known in the city as country parks.

In this article, Chermaine Lee explains the open space challenges that impact the health and well-being of the 7.5 million people living in Hong Kong:

  • Hong Kongers have just 29 square feet of accessible public space per person, which is slightly larger than a coffin or a toilet cubicle. In comparison, according to a 2017 study from Civic Exchange, Singapore offers 79.6 square feet of public space per capita and New York City, also known for its high land price, has more than 107.6 square feet of public space per capita.
  • Hong Kong's parks are not particularly user-friendly. Grassy or landscaped areas are typically off limits so that park patrons are only able to look at, but not rest or relax on them. As Hendrik Tieben, director of the urban design program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, explains, "There’s not much you can do in the [urban] parks, like sitting on the grass, eating in a park and so on... People are not allowed to touch the plants most of the time."
  • Staying at home is not a great option for the many Hong Kongers who live in very limited space due to extremely high housing costs.
  • Historically, creating accessible public open spaces has not been a priority for the government and privately-owned public spaces are not always welcoming or truly accessible to all. 

The article goes on to describe efforts to transform more of Hong Kong's underused areas into public spaces to meet the needs of its residents. The Hong Kong government has made some progress over the years, including building waterfront promenades. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which is responsible for managing the city’s parks, has increased the number of pet gardens from 19 in 2010 to 45 in 2019. The department also provides 50 multi-purpose lawns for public use, rising from 39 in 2010 to 51 in 2018.

Tuesday, September 1, 2020 in BBC

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

7 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

3 hours ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

4 hours ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

5 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.