Living on the edge : creating healthy public space for foreign domestic helpers

Abstract

The social integration of foreign domestic helpers(FDHs) is a global issue, and conflicts between helpers and local people have been witnessed worldwide. Hong Kong is one of the cities in possess of large amount of FDHs, where the right for FDHs to take one day off per week has been legalized. During their legal holidays, usually each Sunday, FDHs stay at parks or other public space for rest. As people living on the edge of the society, they has formed a very special urban landscape. The usage of public urban space in such a special way has engendered impact on social justice, which is a long term conflict between the inevitable needs of FDHs and social right of other residents. In order to resolve the unignorable conflict, the project intends to benefit both parties by creating healthier public spaces in an interactive way. By joining in their communities, figuring out their real needs for ideal environment, the solution is evolved in a bottom-up process, and is promising to be engaged to similar situations.