Date: 28th May 2020 ( Thursday) Weather: Cloudy
Carried out on 28th May, our first official expedition set off, accompanied by a group of amazing experts. Our expert group comes from different backgrounds, like Mr Loong who works in design thinking strategy in Mui wo, Kay who works as a social designer, Bonny who is a flower artist and so on. Our research team were thrilled to be accompanied by them in this journey and excited by the insights they have given towards the Tung O Ancient Trail.
At first, we divided our team into three main groups. In each group, there are three researchers and also three to four experts. Every researchers and experts are given a kit with several maps and notes, so as to facilitate the data gathering process in the later stage. There is clipboard, two maps, stickers, draft papers and pamphlets.
The tide was high in the morning and we couldn’t get near to the mangroves shore where the locals used to collect oysters. Our expert from Policy for Sustainability Lab, HKU, pinpointed her concern of the climate resilience of the site and worried that the site is prone to flooding in the not-near future in the wake of rising sea levels.
Furthermore, we carried out some interesting conversation with the local villagers. Emily, owner’s daughter of 坤記士多 said, “We will go to Tuen Mun market to buy eggs and other food supply. We take our father’s car. Although it is further away, we got used to it. And because of the remoteness of the area, it is hard to get maintenance for the broken electrical appliances.”
After a brief discussion on the findings in Sham Wat, we continue to venture through the forest towards Sha Lo Wan. We spotted some interesting scenes on our way and we drew it out later in the collective mapping.
We came to our final checkpoint which is the tuckshop. Despite of the tight schedule, everyone got a chance to share their views/ reflections on the development of TOAT.
Loong and Kay expressed their interest towards the rural economy development along the trail. Since the farmlands produce papaya, banana, pineapple, this production process creates proudness and identity among the villagers, also they can utilize the fruits to create other products like green bean soup.
Kay quoted the Japan reference with the government subsidizing the farmers to invite designers for rebranding. While Loong suggested another direction, which is the cooperation between restaurants and local farmers and the former can provide special menu depending on the produce from the farmers.
Interacting with an elderly who is selling cold drinks (left), Rebranding example in Japan (right)
Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to finish the collective mapping practice at the end since we need to catch up the 4:20 ferry at the pier, but we did the overlaying map practice which helps us to understand more on the interest cluster and interest area from different profession.
Overlaying maps with remarks (left), unfinished collective mapping (right)
Till next time!!