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共同社區的理想之源..

轉載自<明日風尚> 9 月號

 

儘管個人主義旗幟高揚，可是在哥本哈根周圍卻出現了愈來愈多的共同社區。

居民深信，鄰里之間不該只是點頭之交，而應是知己好友。

在這些共同社區裡，在日常生活的頻繁互動中，他們努力去實踐守望相助的美好愿景。

從廣義來說，共同社區(cohousing)的意思是一個住宅群內，每位住戶與鄰居共同分享一些公用的活動和設施，同時享有各自的私人生活空間。聽起來，跟一般的小型社區沒兩樣，任何地方的住宅群都是由居民自己決定與社區的融入程度的。可是當後來Basikeli創辦人Henrik邀請我們到其好友Ditte所居住的共同社區做客時，才知道這理念是哥本哈根的獨特之處。

這個無名的共同社區實際是一幢位於哥本哈根二區的三層樓房，他們各自居於幾層的大房間內，地下的廚房和花園是他們的公共地方。每天晚餐時間，他們滿心期待地到花園的長桌前晚餐，酒菜之列宛如派對。住在這裡的一位醫生說，他們每晚都在開派對，對於這一點，我們感同身受。

共同社區的淵源

其實，其他的歐美城市共同社區的數量與發展應該是比哥本哈根還要成熟，我們選擇這裡，是因為丹麥這個國家才是共同社區的起源。追根溯源，在這裡凝聚了共同社區微弱卻印証成丐的社區力量。來到這裡，我們是要重訪共同社區的淵源。

共同社區(Cohousing)的概念早已以不同的形式在于不同的時代和地方。”Cohousing”的意指一群居民共同擁有的空間，共同分享一定的服務或福利。英國的托馬斯.摩爾在其巨作<烏托邦>中初次提出，社區成員共同分享餐廳和各類休閑設施的美好願景。羅伯特.歐文在十九世紀時，勾勒出這樣一個結合農業和工業的理想社會: 他幻想著一個不多於兩千人的社區，那裡有食堂、學校、幼稚園、圖書館和運動場，自成一隅地過著和諧的日子。他和其信眾後來遷移到北美，在1824年建立了這樣的一個社區，稱之為”New Harmony”(新和諧村)，無奈社區在四年後便解體。另外，法國烏托邦社會學者夏爾.傅立業也同樣構思過一個名為”Phalanstere”的理想社區。在法式浪漫的影響之下，他幻想工人們在凡爾賽宮般的”社區”從事生產，區內有集體的廚房和食堂、學校、幼稚園、影院，甚至是劍擊競技場。百年前實驗性的社區理念，到了現代社會己有實際的例子。

目前現有的共同社會的模式，其雏形是來自上世纪六十年代的丹麥。其時的丹麥社會，面對的社會問題是現代化的快速發展拉開了人與人之間的距離，很多家庭認為當時的社區模式已經無法滿足他們互助協群的需求，於是人們開始構思自發社區的概念。丹麥建築師Jan Gudmand-Hoyer於1964年做了初次嘗試。他與居住在哥本哈根的友人試圖建立一個互助社區”Hareskov”，但以失敗告終。後來，他到哈佛大學研讀建築，并在美國的多個社區做實驗，他曾經於1968年撰文講解一個樓房與烏托邦之間的分別，他的願景是一個具有強烈的社區意識的團體，是作為解決社區內不和諧氣氛的方案。與此同時，作家Bodil Graae在<Politiken>報紙中，撰文宣稱”孩子應該有一百個家長”,這進一步標明了社區”共同参與”的含義。

 

這兩位重要人物的概念促成了兩個最早共同社區的成立。於1972年完工的”Saettedammen”(意為建立池塘)社區由五十個家庭組織而成，成為最早的共同社區典範。在這裡的三十三戶人家共同分享一些公用設施、每週五次的共同進餐。在為共同社區慶祝二十五週年時，在推出的回顧記念册裡介紹到，這個概念的成功是基於博愛的精神。另一個是位於哥本哈根近郊小村Jonstrup的Skraplanet，它的布局在集中性方面較低，因而每戶擁有了更多的私人空間，但是其他的如公共廣場、遊樂場、游泳池、网球场和足球場等康樂設施齊備，其性質較傾向分享公共設施。

在1968年，Gudmand Hoyer進一步擴大了這個計劃，在第三個密集綜合性共同社區項目內增建更多的公共設施，一條由玻璃天頂覆蓋的步行街貫穿全區。此社區設計榮獲丹麥建築研究的低層集群住房設計比賽大獎。該獎項在丹麥對於住房概念產生了巨大的影響。直至1982年，丹麥已有二十二個業主自發興建的共同社區; 時至今日，丹麥已有超過三百五十個。

經研究後發現，離哥本哈根市中心三十五公里的Roskilde是集中共同社區最多的地方，當中有很多的社區已有超過十年的历史，印証了這個概念的可持續發展的特性。我們走訪了兩個位於Roskilde的共同社區，它們的概念和性質不同，但同樣彰顯了互助共融的精神。

 

Ibsgarden是一個大型屋苑，一路沿著同名的康莊大道，淡黃色的平房群就是群就是此花園的標記。小小的房屋一家接一家整齊地排列著，并列卻沒有連接，唯獨小街內的房子被圍墻環抱，而裡面的一個大花園是這個院落中建築群的連接中心。這裡不是四合院，而是二十個院落，這裡住了二十戶人家。他們中有獨居的，也有擁有家庭的，老幼皆有。

第一眼看到的，是位於社區中間的花園。正值盛夏，居民種植的各種花卉植被依次盛放。”丹麥的房屋設計是以家庭為主導方向的，你可以看見這裡的房屋的四週種滿了花草樹木。”接待我們的住客Jesper Holck說。Ibsgarden的共同社區，至今已有約二十八年的歷史。Jesper是較早搬到此地的居民。多年獨居的他最初搬到這裡來，是希望日常生活中多一點生氣，同時也因此政治立場的原因，使得他喜歡分享共处的生活方式。”這裡的居民，很多都是出生於上世纪六七十年代的年輕人，也都是屬於傳統的左派人士。”他說，”左派支持者多秉持分享共有的精神，認為照顧公民是政府的責任; 右派的支持者則認為每人都應該為自己負責，自己僅需要照顧自己。”正是因為他本人的言起行做，與鄰里的接觸和帶夾的友情，為他的生活帶來了激活的作用。居住在這里的多年間，見証著社區的發展和改變。他與鄰居夫婦帶著我們深入了解他們幸福的社區生活。

共同分享，各自承責

帶著我們参观的夫婦在Ibsgarden已經住了居住十二年，最初，他們經過朋友介紹而了解到這個共同社區。”我們當時正想找個寬敞的房子，但那時候的房價很貴。來到這裡之後，覺得這裡不錯便住了下來了。”長期居住在城市的他們，心理上習慣人與人之間有一定的距離。在剛開始的時候，夫婦二人對於共同社區這概念顯然有點卻步。後來發現，因為分享的力量和資源，反而為他們的生活帶來更多的可能性。

生活中有很多的例子可以見証，比如說，獨自打理花園是很吃力的事情。在這裡卻由居民齊心合力打做出一片綠意盎然的景致; 院是由各定的小花園組合而成，不同品種的花朵和香草灌木相映成趣; 到了後院，卻是一大片草地。他們介紹說，這裡是居民們主要的戶外活動。”還有一個小園圃，用來載種一些當季蔬菜。”當然我們也會從其他地方購買”，這位太太笑道。角落的另一邊的工程有待完成，一問之下，得知他們正在興建一個鸡棚。”社區內的建設都是由社區成員在各自分工、協同合作下修整和完成的。不管是修剪花草等小工作，還是興建公共設施的大工程都是如此。她接著解釋到，興建鸡棚的年輕人，非常喜歡做木工，”這一片厨房花園，都是他的建議和努力的成果。我們的工作分配很自由。我們現在開始修建單車場呢”。

步入社區最遠端的公舍(common house)，這是他們每晚一起共進晚餐的地方，也是一個主要的社交場所。舍內的設施都是根據不同成員的需要而設立，充份體現出體諒和關愛的元素。舍內有一間專為青少年和兒童而設的居室，牆上的圖畫是由一位鄰居畫的。開設這個房間是考慮到青少年的需求，為他們提供社交和遊戲的空間，他們可以邀請朋友、同學等一起活動和學習。更特別的是，這裡設置了一個青少年專用的一年暫住室。”青少年需要較多的活動空間，而他們自己家裡的空間有時候并不能讓他們滿足。”另外還包括一個成年人專屬的房間，可供他們閱讀報紙和看電視。擺放在這裡的報紙和電視頻道比各自居民家中更為齊備，目的是為了分擔成本。”我們在會所的設施，是大家共同支付的，可讓大家一起享受。”

非一般的群居生活

參觀過後，我們到Jesper的家坐下來聊天。他的家門一直敞開著，在都市中鐵門深鎖的戒心在這裡找不著痕跡。一進屋內，這對夫婦就立刻著手幫助Jesper鋪好餐桌、準備茶點。看著他們默契的配合，我不禁問他們是不是經常互相拜訪，以致視鄰居的家為自己的家? 他們笑答，共同分享空間幾乎成了他們的習慣，然而最重要的是分享精神生活的特質，使得這裡的群居顯得特別可貴。

“這裡的社交生活比較平衡，有成人、兒童，也有家庭。住在共同社區的生活很精彩，就像在一個大家庭當中。”太太笑說。”試想，如果我們住在一般的社區，要找朋友傾訴的話可能要走很遠的路，還得要敲門、詢問拜訪的時間等。然而在這裡，每天下班回家，就能和鄰居暢談，體驗互相照顧的睦鄰關係。”

我國中國人常說:相見好，同住難。儘管丹麥人好像是特別的友善，但長時間的相處也會有磨擦。他們坦言，沒有衝突或者意見分歧是不可能的。”有人的地方就有糾紛。多年前，曾有人因為一些糾紛而搬離這裡。”Jesper表示這個也是培養大家的社交和個人修養的好平台，就像是上一堂學習以和為貴的課程，問題的關鍵在於找出舒緩衝突的方法。在這方面他們的確是當仁不讓的專家:”要學會互相尊重的道理，例如，我們現在重建廚房時，大家的意見很不一致，但我們從中學會互相體諒和了解。”他說，”解決的方法有很多，例如召開業主會議，讓大家能通過溝通解決的。每兩年左右，所有成人都會相約外出相聚數天，讓大家回顧社區的問題，在愉快外遊的心境當中解決一些問題。因為有些問題比較複雜，可能幾次會議是無法解決的，我們就用這個方法。”

 

總而言之，這個共同社區是非常成功的; 眼前的幾位都難以想像終止目前的共同生活方式。此時正是暑期，很多的居民外出遊玩，整個Ibsgarden看起來寧靜安詳，但從公舍佈的相册中能夠感受到熱鬧歡快的場景。眼前的Jesper和鄰居夫婦一家，他們待客的熱情未減。當我們離開時，經過門前燃起的燒烤爐，他們介紹說這是今天的晚餐，”我們今晚吃烤雞。”然後三人又再雀躍的高談闊論起來。

“共同社區就是，我們一起進餐，一起暢談，也一起生活。”

Design report: Breaking the Chain | Stockholm | Monocle issue 40, vol 4

Preface

A concept store featuring fashion, interiors and art has been set up by five entrepreneurs to challenge the might of the multiples with their unique take on the retail experience.

An old stable in Stockholm from 1898 has returned to life, albeit without the horses. Today, Snickarbacken 7 is a concept store housing a café, an interiors and clothing shop and an art gallery. The transformation began last summer when a group of five entrepreneurs took over the space from an IT company. Their vision was to restore the building to its former glory and open it to the public, providing Stockholm with a new kind of retail experience.

"I saw an ad in the paper, and it didn’t even have pictures," says Ulrika Halvardsson, owner of the bathroom boutique Badrummet, who initiated the project. "But just based on the description, my gut feeling was that this was something extraordinary."

Halvardsson’s instinct was right. But it took a lot of work to reveal the true character of the space. The previous tenants used it as an office and, given the generous height of the rooms – five metres – they built an additional floor, hiding the original, church-like vaults. The stone floors were covered with a grey carpet and the impressive entrance was obscured by parking spaces.

"Still, I fell in love and thought that if we clean this up, it will be fantastic," says Halvardsson. The 350 sq m space was too big for her company to fill on its own, hence she had the idea of creating a concept store with four other shopkeepers. She approached friends she knew would understand her mission. Some of them were sceptical at first but changed their minds when they saw the building. "For me, it was like a hallelujah moment. All five of us took a shared responsibility and invested our money in the building," says Susanne Beskow, who runs the fashion store, van Deurs et al, featuring her own brand, van Deurs, and other independent Swedish designers.

The building is round the corner from Stureplan, Stockholm’s main retail area and was originally designed by Isak Gustaf Clason, the architect behind many of the capital’s most prestigious buildings, including Östermalm’s Market Hall and the Hallwyl Palace. In the 1800s, the building housed a Catholic girls’ school, and the bottom floor, which Snickarbacken 7 occupies, was a stable for the monks’ horses.

When they began renovating, the task was to peel away the layers, add as little as possible and return the original quality and atmosphere to the rooms. "We wanted to keep as much of the original design as possible and not renovate everything to death," says Halvardsson.

Over a few intensive months – the owners did much of the work themselves – the top floor was torn down and the old vaults revealed. The original window frames were painted black and the old wooden doors by the entrance were tidied up. The concrete floor in the café was left as it is and the other rooms got a concrete coating. The result is a space that feels peaceful and grand with a pleasant roughness to it. You can feel the history and yet it is contemporary too.

"It’s not so formal, which makes it easier for people to approach than the traditional white cube," says Eric Andersson, the resident art gallerist.

In addition to Andersson and Beskow, Halvardsson also invited Minna Gunner, head of the Swedish design company David Design, together with Jonas Findell and Annika Santunione, owners of the Kaffeverket café in Stockholm’s Vasastan, to join the group. She wanted a unique mix and a commitment to quality. It was also important that the products on sale were ethically produced.

"We didn’t want to compromise on anything," says Jonas Findell. Places such as Snickarbacken 7 are a rarity in Stockholm, where the retail and café scene is generally dominated by chains. "H&M are good at what they do, and they’re needed. But we felt we shouldn’t have to travel abroad to get a retail kick. There’s so much potential retail talent in Sweden but we’re stuck with chains," says Beskow, who believes that there’s an undersupply of smaller fashion brands now that the economy has picked up again.

"Many smaller boutiques went bankrupt and disappeared when the financial crisis hit," she says.

 

 

The founders also want the collective to be a living space that is constantly changing, somewhere you can come back to and always find something new, a place to spend a long afternoon taking in the art, drinking coffee, browsing magazines and shopping. Plans include lectures, furniture releases and vinyl breakfasts with a resident dj. The concept has already proved a popular brand in its own right and the collective is capitalising on the potential to take it further. "We might even launch our own Snickarbacken 7 collection. That’s in the starting stages," says Minna Gunner. Watch this space. — (M)

People Power–Manila

(From Monocle, issue 40, volume 04, Feb 2011 )

Writer :Liv Lewitschnik  Photographer: Christopher Wise

On arrival at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino ­International Airport special treatment is given to one section of the local population: the Overseas Filipino Workers, or OFWs. As the nation’s most famous export, the OFWs do not have to jostle for space in the long queues at customs and instead glide straight through immigration via dedicated OFW-only lanes.

Since the 1970s, the Philippine government has offered training to Filipinos wanting to work on oil tankers belonging to Danes and Norwegians, construction sites in Osaka and in private homes stretching from Beirut to Bologna, actively encouraging them to look for jobs outside the country rather than join the ranks of the 2.7 million unemployed or the 22 per cent of the population who are living on just over $1 a day.

Today, one in nine Filipinos works abroad, where they can earn salaries five or six times higher than they can at home. During 2010 alone, 53,532 people left the Philippines while those nine million already settled across 80 countries sent €17bn home to their relatives. Only India, China and Mexico receive more remittances than the Philippines. At 12 per cent of GDP, it is a source of income the government is more than happy to see coming in.

"There has been a resurgence in the working-age labour force in the Philippines but jobs haven’t kept up, which has increased pressure to emigrate," says Sanket Mohapatra, migration and remittances economist at the World Bank.

The machinery producing the steady outflow of Filipinos is found in Taguig City, southeastern Manila, around the corner from former army camp Fort Bonifacio, which is now an emerging shopping and dining area for elite and middle classes. Here, the state-run Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) issues training certificates to OFW hopefuls who are attending its 126 vocational schools nationwide while also accrediting and supervising over 4,000 private training institutes dotted around the Philippine archipelago.

The inverted grey cement triangle that is Tesda HQ, built by local architects Jesus Santamaria and Wilfredo Semilla and inaugurated by Ferdinand Marcos in 1979, is cool and dark inside. Government employees in thin light blue shirts and black trousers fiddle around with decorations in the open-plan lobby and whirr up and down the old-fashioned elevators. The building is akin to a clunky Starship Enterprise, except that it also has a nice selection of Cubist works by Filipino artists Ang Kiukok and Malano on the walls.

Across the lawn from HQ is the Tesda Women’s Centre, where the country’s maids are transformed into "supermaids" for PHP5,000 (€87) a head. On the first floor, young Filipinas concentrate on bed-making, cooking and waitressing – all practised in a surreal-looking mock-up of a hotel with dated living and bedroom interiors.

Everything from straightforward ironing and refilling mini-bars to vacuuming and making sandwiches is on the curriculum, which runs from Monday to Friday for four and a half months before a final practical and written exam. Judging from the 70-page document outlining the syllabus, which also requires students to put in hours on workplace communication and how to maintain a "professional image", it is no wonder these Filipinas are welcomed with open arms in homes and hotels around the world.

"Filipinos are the first choice for countries hiring workers. We’re highly skilled, flexible, caring and we’re clean – most of us take a bath two or even three times a day," Tesda spokeswoman Marta Hernandez says.

Domestic work and housekeeping may be the Philippines’ top OFW sectors and the most popular among Filipinas – Tesda accredited nearly 69,000 maids and more than 33,500 housekeepers in 2009 and has churned out 250,000 workers in both sectors since 2006 – but increasing numbers are also signing on for nursing, car mechanics and call-centre courses. The Philippines are expected to overtake India as the country with the largest outsourced call-centre market.

A popular welding programme has been running since the late 1990s and Australia continues to be a prime destination for Filipina welders.

But, warns Hernandez, "we don’t allow people to enrol in whichever programme they want – we tell them which jobs are in demand because we want to make sure that they find work after training. We’re not investing in education for nothing."

In response to the change in global labour demand for more skilled workers, Tesda has graduated 19,000 female and male language students since 2007 when it opened the first of the country’s 34 language centres at Taguig City. ­Although English takes the lead, Korean, Japanese and Mandarin are becoming more popular. Some of those learning Japanese are expected to help fill the vacancies for carers offered through the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement in Japan.

This careful job-matching is working – signs of growing wealth in Manila can be seen in pockets across the potholed capital where condominiums are going up on the football-pitch-sized swathes of empty inner-city land (to the despair of Manila’s taxi-drivers who use them as shortcuts through the choking traffic).

To reach Guadalupe, a neighbourhood in the rich area of Makati, where the Tesda-certified private Fine International Training Centre is located, you have to dodge the flamboyantly decorated Jeepneys (former US military vehicles which are the Philippines’ most popular form of public transport) and pass countless fast-food joints.

Although opened only in 2002, the four-storey yellowbrick Fine International is a throwback to the 1970s inside (plush fake leather sofas in turquoise and brown, synthetic bedspreads and curtains) but the ongoing training of masseuses and household workers is ­decidedly 21st century.

A course costs between PHP10,000 (€175) and PHP13,000 (€227) depending on destination – the women here are off to Dubai, Israel, Cyprus and Hong Kong. Hong Kong is the most expensive place to prepare for because students have to pay extra for learning how to make up to 20 Chinese dishes compared to the standard five in other markets. "Chinese people are demanding when it comes to cooking but Hong Kong is still the most popular destination among our students," says Mary Grace Ordinario, the school administrator. Fine International is launching a barista course this year and plans to extend upward with two more floors to cater for growing student numbers.

North of Guadalupe, Nanan Jacinto is wishing she could expand Punlaan, the not-for-profit hospitality and household worker school located in the neighbourhood of San Juan, where she is director. "Our school is like a rusty country hotel. The pipes are bursting," Jacinto says.

The building, a former 1960s maternity clinic, may be rickety but 150 students, all 16 to 21-year-old women from disadvantaged backgrounds, and seven full-time teachers, clearly love being here. The girls bubble with giggles and "yes mams" and are astonishingly pretty.

Punlaan’s selection process is fierce. Out of 400 applicants, only 80 to 90 girls, who attend the school on full scholarships from private donors and the local hotel and restaurant industry, are accepted each year. They must be at least 158cm tall, "have a likeable personality" and have achieved an 80 per cent highschool average or above. It also helps if they are Catholic; Opus Dei missionaries founded the school in the 1970s and religious teachings still follow the doctrine.

While training at Punlaan is strict, there is an air of fun about the place. Awards in napkin-folding, "the tropical fruit challenge", and cocktail-mixing are handed out to the best and brightest. "We teach the girls that any decent job is a good job," Jacinto explains. "They are very hard-working and move up the career ladder." Considering that many of them are the daughters of tricycle drivers or farmers from the provinces and so poor they struggle to pay for the Jeepney ride to school in the morning, it’s no wonder they give it their all during the two-year course at Punlaan. The goal is, of course, to find work outside the Philippines. "Sending money to their families is what drives them," says Jacinto.

Nova Evite, a former Punlaan student, has been sending 80 per cent of her and husband Jamieson Arrieta’s salaries home to their two young children and parents since they started bar-tending and waiting on a cruise-liner, Albatross, operated by Bremerhaven-based Quality Cruise Service, a year ago. The pair are the archetypal OFWs: they consider overseas work an adventure (they even married onboard in front of 800 passengers) and an opportunity to see the world – they’re off to Brazil next. They are also immensely proud of being able to give their families a better future.

Until the Philippines is ready to do the same, it can at least cling on to the fame generated by its best export – its people. And perhaps the Filipina supermaids could teach their government a thing or two about how to put its house in order.

OFWs in distress

01 The state-run Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has been helping OFWs in distress since the agency became operational in 1982.

02 OWWA spent €1.2m on repatriating 6,125 OFWs during the first 10 months of 2010.

03 OWWA spent €1m on repatriating 6,902 OFWs in 2009

Filipina economy – portraits

Andrea Ara Alshaer, 20, housekeeping, Tesda Women’s Training Centre

"If God lets me, I’ll go to Australia or Germany to find work – I’ve heard that they are good countries. I’ll be the first in my family to go abroad. I want to help my family financially plus housekeeping is my biggest interest. My three-year-old son will stay with my mum while I’m away – she won’t have to work any more if I work in another country."

Clarissa Guiritan, 31 household course, Fine International Training Centre

"I worked in Israel for five years – I was a live-in carer in Haifa. Before I left for Israel I attended the household course at Fine International to learn how to clean and cook. We also learnt Hebrew and Kosher cooking. I’m going to work in Hong Kong so I decided to come back to the school. Cooking Chinese food is easier than Israeli food."

Faye Nesiel Ogario, 17,food and beverage programme, Punlaan

"My mother encouraged me to study at Punlaan because I really want to work with food. I have plans to work abroad because there are greener pastures there.

I want to earn money to help my family and relatives because our economy is not that good at the moment so they are relying on me. From what I’ve heard, Canada is a good country and I think Canadians are nice people. It’ll be an adventure to go."

Eden Camille V Calar, 17,food and beverage programme, Punlaan

"My mother is an OFW in Thailand – she’s been working overseas since I was about six. I wanted to study at Punlaan because the school helps girls like me to get an education. I love working in the kitchen. When I finish at Punlaan, I’m hoping to work at [Filipino TV station] ABS CBM where I have trained and then I’d like to go to Paris because French cuisine is very delicate."

OS battle..

其實自從 Samsung Galaxy Tab 同 Dell Streak 之後，Tablet computer 同 Smart Phone 之間既分界線已經好模糊，再加上各大廠OS的百花齊放，的確令人花多眼亂。所以今次post 印度版Gadgets Gizmos 二月號俾未入市的朋友參考。

iOS

Looks

Apple’s proprietary operating system for iPhone market some changes in terms of design. Earlier where one could only change the wallpaper on the lock screen, the upgrade offers the alternative of selecting wallpaper for the homescreen. Also, the four icons which remain static throughout are placed on dock and that makes them stand out.

Ease of Use

With iOS, one doesn’t have a main menu or application launcher. All apps stay on the various panels(homescreens). With folders, it is relatively easier to locate a particular application. And ‘Spotlight’ search can be used to scan/search everything on the phone-contacts. Emails, web, application. The touch interface is still one of the best. Automatic screen-orientation comes in handy and one can lock the homescreen in portrait mode as well. The biggest plus point: the upgrade is instantly available through iTunes.

Customisation

Earlier, only 16 applications used to sit on every panel along with the four static ones at the bottom. With iOS4 you can create folders and add up to 12 apps to each. This means, you can create folders for games, photography, utility, etc. by simply dragging an app over another.

Application Store

Third-party applications existed but Apple brought them under one roof. It is most popular apps store with over 300,000 application programs and five million downloads. And most of what works for the iPhone also works for the iPod Touch and the iPad.

What’s new?

Other than few additions on the homescreen  and folders, multitasking has been introduced in the iPhone that runs on the new iOS4. Pressing the home key twice displays a row of running apps at the bottom. Using this, one can switch between apps or close a running application. The new OS also has an ereader app called iBooks. Earlier where the search engine had a dedicated Google Search, now users have the option to select from Yahoo! And Bing as well. For those who configure multiple email accounts can now view new mails in the unified inbox. Along with the Game centre, the company has added a battery percentage notification. Apple has also introduced Face Time, a proprietary video calling application used over Wi-Fi connectivity. But this cannot be accessed on the iPhone 3Gs or 3G as they don’t have secondary camera for making video calls.

Let Down

Multitasking arrived on the iPhone with iOS4 but it doesn’t fall in the league of the Symbian or the Android. Third party applications can only be downloaded from the App Store.

Bi:

自iPhone 1st generation, iOS 已經是異常的好用, 可說是Multi-touch 的先軀, 完全打破 keyboard 的框框。但以我個人使用感受來說, 最impress的是其流暢度及其 iTunes platform。以我的ipod 2nd generation 677MHz 的ARM CPU來行這graphical的介面可說是毫無投訴, 到了我的3GS的877Mhz來行multi-task更加係好輕鬆, 相像當其時的 HTC Desire 用上了 Qualcomm QSD 8250 1 GHz CPU 行 Android 1.6 都lag下lag下, 可想其 software engineering 的利害.. 還有其商家用家兩邊討好的 Apps store, 以定額價錢以及分帳形式, 做出 USD0.99 的apps, 用家選擇時簡單易明收費定型, 而且Apple一邊抽水, 一邊壯大Apps store, 還得到了龐大的 end-user database.  最深刻的是它與 Publisher 的關係 (以我所知買 eBook/eMagazine 係Jail Break左都要付錢的), 有了 Apps Store 這一平台, Publisher 可以很放心的出  e-Issue, 因為 Apps Store 的”實名制”會確保一account只會得到產品, 唔會有無限sharing的情況發生, 當然對我斯”慷慨”的用家來說是很麻煩…

但它的死穴是, 以PC or Mac 的 Windows 或 MacOS 來說, 其系統內的檔案 management 的一part可說是白痴, 教主可完全的忘卻了System Folder這東西讓apps共享/edit不同types的files…

Android v2.2

Looks

The fourth versions of the Android OS is also known as Froyo. While the upgrade has fixed bugs and introduced new features, the look has remained the same. With small icons on the homescreen, the main menu looks neat and feels user-friendly. An existing v1.6 or v2.1 Android user will feel at home – and a new user will not feel out of place.

Ease of Use

Androids is easy to use. Any application in the main menu can be dragged and added to the homescreen. The five panels on the homescreen can each be assigned a different activity-one can play media, another can display the utilities (like accessing third-party applications from the homescreen itself). This eliminated the need of accessing the main menu and looking for apps. A notification bar added on the top of the screen displays all pending events. Manufacturers are customizing the homescreen and notification bar to make the device more user-friendly.

Customisation

Android facilitates one of the most customizable interfaces. You can add a shortcut for any application or add a widget on the homescreen itself. With Froyo, a Tips widget appears on the homescreen that helps new users to inderstand how to configure multiple screens and add shortcuts. There is an app launcher along with dedicated icons for phone and web browser (this remains static across homescreen panels)

Application Store

Android Market is the second most popular mobile applications store with over 120,000 apps. Most of the well loved apps available on iOS now have a version for Android phones as well.

What’s new

The most important feature of the 2.2 upgrade is the ability to downhood third-part applications on the phone’s external memory. This translates into more space to download apps. Froyo can also turn the phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot using an operator’s data service, allowing one to create a personal Wi-Fi and connect more devices. This version also includes better web browser and enhanced performance. Now, one can even switch between multiple languages and auto-dictionary by swiping across the space bar on the onscreen keyboard while typing. There is enhanced security with support for alpha-numeric passwords to unlock the devices. In the v2.2/ the Global address list is available in email application.

Let Down

Upgrading to new versions lies in the hands of the handset vendor. Even after Google rolls out an upgrade, one has to wait for the handset manufacturer to deploy it in the device.

Bi:

前文也有提當時的 Android 1.6 令我非常失望, 但當我用過 2.2 version時, 同iOS流暢度上所有差距都拉回了, 可恨的是作為 iOS killer, 只是輸少當贏, 沒有突破…

Windows Phone 7

Looks

Leaving behind the old, small and cluttered interface of Windows Mobile, the new Microsoft OS, Windows Phone 7, has had a complete makeover. The Big titles on the homescreen look innovative and the bright colour palette makes it stand out. Big font size is used to make reading visually simple and easy.

Ease of Use

Along with fresh appeal, the OS is finger-friendly. All apps are arranged alphabetically in the main menu, including the ones downloaded from Windows Marketplace. While accessing the app, one can swip up, down, left and right to explore more options. Three dots ‘…’ at different places indicates availability of advance options.

Application Store

The official application store on board is Windows Marketplace. Just like the phone, even this store has a new look and feel. Not many applications are listed.

Homescreen

Small icons in the ‘start’ menu and ‘today’ screen that used to adorn the earlier WinMo have been replaced with big, square shaped titles. A single homescreen is capable of hosting a number of tiles. This includes live tiles – learn about missed calls, unread messages and mails. One can pin a favorite contact to the homescreen. Post pinning, long press and drag helps in changing the placement of the app.

What’s new?

WP7 has looked beyond simple contacts, gallery and music and has introduced hubs. The usual phonebook is now called ‘people hub’ and integrates the phone’s contacts with Facebook. One can dial a number, send a message, view updates and leave comments on social networking site. The ‘Me” card makes it easy for the user to change profile image, update status across multiple social networking site from contacts itself. “Picture hub’ allows one has posted on social networking sites. Similarly, there is ‘music and video hub’, ‘Office hub’, ‘Marketplace hub’ and ‘games hub featuring Xbox Live’. Bing is the dedicated search client – rather like Safari in Apple and Google Search in Android. Along with the search, Bing Maps are pre-installed for navigation. Push email has been a strong point on Windows OS and on WP7, one can view the unread or urgent mails with a simple swipe. IE Mobile has been improved with the ability to call number or map address by a simple tap.

Let Down

Microsoft has missed the most important feature that was present in the initial versions of the OS – multitasking. One can go back to the last application by hitting the Back button but doesn’t support true multitasking.

Bi:

Press Release 時覺得個interface好靚, Bill 叔叔有了 Surface 的經驗, 操作上應該都沒有什麼問題吧, 一直都好想試下!!! 文中說它沒有 multi-tasking!? 我手中5年前的 HP Smart Phone 的 Windows Mobile 6.2 都有喎!!

Blackberry OS6

Looks

Not everyone can take to the BlackBerry OS and the same is true even for its new OS6. With just a few applications sitting on the homescreen and rest hidden under the main menu, people often take time to get used to the OS. The upgrade looks similar to the old one despite a few add-ons that crowd the display.

Ease of Use

Unlike all the other mobile OSes for touch phones, BlackBerry’s OS6 is designed to work on both touch and non-touch phones (RIM was loath to bring out touch displays till recently). On a touch phone with capacitive display, one can simply touch and drag the tray open so everything from selecting icons to trying is fairly simple. On a non-touch phone, the trackpad on the phone does the job.

Customisation

Earlier, one had the option of adding up to six shortcuts on the homescreen and to adjust the placements of the apps in the main menu. With the OS 6, things have undergone a change. The shortcut row on the homescreen has now become a part of the menu tray that stays open. The top of the display is occupied with basic notifications such as battery status, network and time that doubles as a notification bar and offers various settings, including alarm, connections and other options. The profile icon now shares space with the dedicated search bar. The result: the homescreen looks cluttered.

Application Store

BlackBerry App World is the official place from where you can search and download apps on the phone. Its is full of work-related, utility apps. But one can also explore and dig out free apps.

Let Down

For multitasking, one has to go to options and select ‘switch application’. This is a time consuming process. The small icons in the main menu are dull and boring. Colour can be injected only by adding wallpapers. Adding shortcuts to the homescreen would have been less confusing in comparison to the categories assigned to the main menu.

Bi:

R.I.P. maybe?

 

Symbian 3

Looks

This new OS saw the light of the day with the Nokia N8. Unlike Windows Phone 7, it didn’t undergo a complete makeover and still resembles the earlier S60 platform. With small icons on the homescreen and in main menu, a similar-looking user interface, it remains the same. Those upgrading from Nokia devices won’t find anything extraordinary.

Customisation

Symbian S60 support just one homescreen; Symbian 3 allows up to three homescreens. Each screen comprises six slots for adding widgets and shortcuts. These include shortcuts to basic features such as messaging, camera, music player, etc. and services such as BBC News widget, India Today widget, etc, Although 18 widgets can be placed on the three screens, a lot of space gets wasted in this process.

Ease of use

Unlike other mobile OS where users take time to get used to the device, Symbian 3 will be simple to operate. Activities are categorized under calendar, messaging, contacts, settings, applications, web TV etc. and all these placed under the main menu. You can move the location or create and add a new folder.

Application Store

The official application store for Nokia phones is the Ovi Store. One needs to create on Ovi account to log in and download apps.

Let Down

Even with noticeable differences, the OS lacks finesse and requires more work. The OS isn’t really smooth and is outdated in comparison with the others. Along with fresh looks, there is a need for a better web browser on the phonw and better homescreen customization. It still lags behind the Android OS and iOS in terms of smooth and user-friendly UI.

Bi:

稱霸多年的Giant Nokia遇上創意上的瓶頸, 被 Apple 搶了大半壁江山, 也許 Symbian 都逃不了這命運..

Tablet vs Netbook..

宜家平板電腦已經沖積住你身邊既小明同謝金燕，正當人人奉tablet為必備潮物，左手要有iPhone (打電話), 右手有iPad (上下網), 枱面有岡本咁薄既MacBookAir(做文書)　（點解全部都係教主的！），我等貧二代又怎可能盡享齊人之福！！所以要係實用同方便之間choose wisely。眼見身邊部份友人重未入市，所以今次post 上　Gadgets Gizmos 二月號內的 Tablet vs Netbook 及 Tablet/Smart Phone 既分別比大家參考~

 

Tablets vs Netbook

The newbie tablet goes up against the comfortably ensconced netbook. Who wins?

Tablets

Appearance: Are sleek slim and light to carry. They do not have a physical keyboard. All of them have a good touch screen with glossy or matte finish. Keep a cleaning cloth handy, as these are serious fingerprint attractors.

Locked and loaded: When it comes to fire power (processing power) at the moment they are not as powerful as netbooks. But soon they will be better. Shorly 2 GHz processors and higher RAM will be available to these shiny machines. Mid to high end ones are 3G ready too.

Operate me: 95 percent of the tablets run on Android OS. Rest use Windows CE or iOS. For basic stuff and light gaming these are nice, but when it comes to multi-tasking these suffer a little. Hopefully the new OS upgrades will solve this issue. Microsoft is also coming with a tablet OS.

Battery juice: We have seen mixed results here. While most last for 6-8hours, there are some that last just 4 hours.

Expansions: The upgrading options are even less than the netbooks. You can just expand the memory by inserting an SD card.

Pocket damages: Some of the entry-level ones are available for half the price of netbooks. However the high-end cool ones, are double the price of the netbooks.

 

Netbooks

Appearance: We are quite used to the laptops, which is why most netbooks don’t intrigue much. Some of them tried to, like Vaio P or X series, but the X-factor soon vanishes. However you do get superb display screens, many USB ports, Ethernet and video ports. And they do come with a physical keyboard for ease of typing.

Locked and loaded: These machines are quicker than the tablets. They fetch fast 1.6GHz processors capable enough to handle many opened windows at the same time. Can run HD movies as well.

Operating me: All of them are Windows based. These are reliable and have an excellent customer support. You have an OS problem? Microsoft will solve it.

Battery juice: All the new generation netbooks can at least last for 7 or higher hours. Barring a few that live for 4-5 hours.

Expansion: Only the hard drive and RAM can be upgraded. Rest cannot.

Pricing: Entry-level netbooks linger around 15k(India rupee) mark, which is double the price of entry level tablets. On the otherside, one can get a fully loaded laptop for 21-24 thousand rupees, while tablets cost 32-38 thousand rupees.

By the way, what is my Lenovo S10-3t with $3700 price tag~?

 

Forecast 2011: The perceived crime threat in Japan

January 2, 2011 — Tokyo
Writer: Fiona Wilson

It was not just the news itself, but the sickening familiarity of it all: a Japanese bus station in the morning rush hour, buses jammed with passengers and a 27-year-old man with a knife. His motive remains obscure; his victims, so far as one can tell, were complete strangers to him. But by the time his stabbing rampage came to an end, 13 people had been injured, 11 of them schoolchildren.

As Japanese digested the news of the latest indiscriminate knife attack they were asking themselves how this kind of thing could happen – yet again. For the half century following the war, Japan prided itself on being the most law-abiding country in the industrialised world. In the last decade, every few months seem to bring new reports of motiveless brutality, often by alarmingly young people. The question prompted by the latest incident is not “what is wrong with him?” but “what is wrong with us?”

Various explanations are offered for this apparent surge in violence, most of them connected with the social changes which have taken place in post-war Japan. Two generations ago, Japanese children grew up in large extended families; today, families are smaller, and many children grow up alone and isolated. Commentators also point to the influence of Japan’s mania for gadgetry, saying it encourages young people to spend time alone with video games or to communicate via their mobile phones rather than meeting in person. Without friends or social skills, it is argued, many young people have no release except through violence.

But another news story a few hours before the bus station massacre reveals the so-called surge in violent crime is actually an illusion. Far from painting a picture of despondency and a crime-ridden future for Japan, it turns out the opposite is true. According to Japan’s National Police Agency, the number of recorded crimes has fallen to the lowest in 23 years.

Between January and November last year, 1,465,223 cases were reported during the period, down 6.9 per cent from the previous year, the eighth consecutive year in which crime has declined. Murders and attempted murders have also declined to record levels, with 988 cases in the first 11 months of last year, a 2.8 per cent decline.

Offences like muggings, burglary and drug dealing, which city dwellers in the rest of the world have learned to accept as part of everyday life, are between four and eight times lower than in the West. By every measure, Japan is the safest and least crime-ridden country on earth – and it is becoming safer every year.

“Young Japanese probably murder the fewest people of any youth worldwide,” Mariko Hasegawa, a professor of evolutionary biology at Tokyo’s Waseda University, has said. “It is because murders in general have become so unusual that cases involving people who seem to have personality disorders stand out.”

Japanese citizens, all the statistics say, have every reason to feel more secure in 2011. The epidemic which Japan faces is not one of crime itself, but the fear of crime, fuelled by the media.

It was not just the news itself, but the sickening familiarity of it all: a Japanese bus station in the morning rush hour, buses jammed with passengers and a 27-year-old man with a knife. His motive remains obscure; his victims, so far as one can tell, were complete strangers to him. But by the time his stabbing rampage came to an end, 13 people had been injured, 11 of them schoolchildren.

As Japanese digested the news of the latest indiscriminate knife attack, they were asking themselves how this kind of thing could happen – yet again. For the half century following the war, Japan prided itself on being the most law-abiding country in the industrialised world. In the last decade, every few months seem to bring new reports of motiveless brutality, often by alarmingly young people. The question prompted by the latest incident is not “what’s wrong with him?” but “what’s is wrong with us?”

Various explanations are offered for this apparent surge in violence, most of them connected with the social changes which have taken place in post-war Japan. Two generations ago, Japanese children grew up in large extended families; today, families are smaller, and many children grow up alone and isolated. Commentators also point to the influence of Japan’s mania for gadgetry, saying it encourages young people to spend time alone with video games or to communicate via their mobile phones rather than meeting in person. Without friends or social skills, it is argued, many young people have no release except through violence.

But another news story a few hours before the bus station massacre reveals the so-called surge in violent crime is actually an illusion. Far from painting a picture of despondency and a crime-ridden future for Japan, it turns out the opposite is true. According to Japan’s National Police Agency, the number of recorded crimes has fallen to the lowest in 23 years.

Between January and November last year, 1,465,223 cases were reported during the period, down 6.9 per cent from the previous year, the eighth consecutive year in which crime has declined. Murders and attempted murders have also declined to record levels, with 988 cases in the first 11 months of last year, a 2.8 per cent decline.

Offences like muggings, burglary and drug dealing, which city dwellers in the rest of the world have learned to accept as part of everyday life, are between four and eight times lower than in the West. By every measure, Japan is the safest and least crime-ridden country on earth – and it is becoming safer every year.

“Young Japanese probably murder the fewest people of any youth worldwide,” Mariko Hasegawa, a professor of evolutionary biology at Tokyo’s Waseda University, has said. “It is because murders in general have become so unusual that cases involving people who seem to have personality disorders stand out.”

Japanese citizens, all the statistics say, have every reason to feel more secure in 2011. The epidemic which Japan faces is not one of crime itself, but the fear of crime fuelled by the media.

The silent waves of Hawaii – Chris Woods

The silent waves of Hawaii – Chris Woods

photo by Chuck Christiansen, on Pilot Mag

 

Waves are everywhere
As human beings, we encounter waves in many different forms during each second of everyday life. Humans maintain a constant and intimate relationship with this rise and fall that transfers energy from point to point. Sound waves, waves of light and radio waves are just a few of these paradigms in constant motion. Most of the time we are completely unaware of this phenomenon as it continually nurtures the ebb and flow and precious life itself.

We’ve evolved to harness all forms of the wave in both science and in play. It is in play when we first begin to embrace and understand the physical wonders of waves.

We can all remember as children when we first tossed a pebble into a pond and watched with wonder as the ripples spread out evenly in all directions. As we grew older, the more intrepid of us turned toward the sea with our curiosity and fascination with those ripples. Tentative strides were made as we experiences the gentle power of the wave force pushing against our bodies close to the ocean’s shore. Soon we discovered the unrelenting power of larger waves. Some of us turned away while others learned how to harness that energy force and ride monster waves reaching heights of up to 100 feet.

The island chain of Hawaii became the place where storm swells born from weather disturbances thousands of miles away would collide with lava reefs and grow to frightening heights. When these giants break and their liquid tonnage comes crashing down, the ground rumbles and the sound is deafening. Big wave surfing was pioneered in Hawaii and has become the ethos of those few who brave the giant waves of the sea.

Although grounded to the earth’s surface. the ocean wave is created by high winds from above that lash at the liquid mass that covers three quarters of our plant. While the wind’s disconnect from the hardened earth seems to create an endless void above, it secretly contains the mightiest waves of them all. But for all wave forms there needs to be a trigger point to set the ripple in motion.

When the calm of a small stream’s placid flow meets a submerged stone, its mass rises up creating a standing wave. This wave pulses and shifts in small increments, but never leaves the object beneath that gave it life. Like the stream of flowing water, wind born from the winter storms that create the mighty ocean waves also travels far downstream from its origin. For thousands of miles this linear air mass moves undisturbed across the loneliest stretches of the Pacific at speeds in excess of 60 MPH at sea level and increasing up to over 100MPH at the higher altitudes.

The only deterrent along the journey across the Pacific are the Hawaiian Islands.This island chain seems to be the bull’s-eye of the Pacific Ocean-the Big Island being the inner circle of the target. Hawaii, as the island is called, is first line of defense against most of the powerful winter storms. Armed like a front line soldier, Hawaii rises up from the Pacific with four dormant volcanoes reaching heights of nearly 14,000 feet above sea level. As the frontal winds slam headlong into this hardened lava fortress, an extraordinary standing wave of atmosphere is born.

The high winds are greeted by these massive mountains of aging lava and are pushed upward into an immense standing wave that creates a ripple in the air mass disrupting its laminar trek across the Pacific Ocean. Marked by smooth, disk-shaped lenticular clouds, the mountain wave is a virtual elevator of rising and falling air that attracts another Hawaiian surfer, the sailplane pilot. These intrepid pilots steer their beautiful fiberglass flying machines silently into what they call “the mountain wave”.

Imagine again the calm stream running over submerged stone creating standing waves that line up from that point and continue down stream for hundreds of feet. Now picture a huge bump of stationary air leaving the same trail of atmospheric waves for hundreds of miles downwind of the Hawaiian Islands. The sailplane pilot knows that if he can penetrate this primary wave over the volcano’s ominous summit, he’ll lifted up above the slopes of Hawaii to heights exceeding 30,000feet. It’s been done before and it will be done again and again.

Donned with an oxygen mask these surfers of the sky have to fly forward at airspeed of 150MPH to maintain a fixed position over the high cinder cones to stay in the upward ripple of the standing wave. When perfectly positioned, the lift rates can reach up to 2,000 feet per minute, but staying in the sweet spot of the lift at these high forwards airspeeds flirts dangerously with the design limitations of their German-built sailplanes. If they’re too slow they risk being blown backward into the down side of the wave where they’d experience and equal rate of sink. In this tremendous downwash, they could be forced downward over the unforgiving lava fields that could easily tear their delicate machines to pieces during an off-airport landing.

If the sailplane pilot does everything right, the reward is an intoxicating elixir for the senses. Above 30,000 feet the entire Island chain becomes visible and the shape of the Big Island unfolds beneath his wings. It is eerily quite with only the sound of the wind moving over the polished fiberglass fuselage and wings. The silk smooth elevator lift drives the sailplane pilot to achieve even greater heights, but like the ancient Hawaiians respect for “Pele”, the fire goddess of Hawaii’s deadly volcanoes, they too have to heed the warnings of another mythical figure, Icarus, who flew too high towards the sun and lost his wings. Pele has proven time and time again that we’re like the earth’s many waveforms, just a ripple in the communion of our plant. But we have developed into a species that will always push beyond the limits to seek out of the finest of what Mother Nature has to offer and ride her biggest waves.

三劍客各顯神通 – A brief of West Kowloon cultural district

For more on West Kowloon cultural district : http://www.wkcdauthority.hk/pe2/en/conceptual/index.html

朱濤 appledaily.com 12-9-2010

西九文化區恐怕是當今世界上規模最大，最雄心勃勃，也是一直富於爭議性的文化建設項目。 8月 20日，備受關注的文化區三個概念規劃方案終於出台了！三家規劃設計顧問公司——英國的 Foster+ Partners（以下簡稱福斯特），香港的許李嚴建築師事務有限公司（以下簡稱許李嚴或嚴訊奇）和荷蘭的 OMA（以下稱 OMA或庫哈斯），各自領取酬金約 4,900萬港元，經過一年的閉門鑄造，終於向香港公眾亮出自己的絕招。
總的來說，三家都不約而同地摒棄了二戰後西方城市更新項目中盛行的現代主義規劃模式——先將城市中心開闢成一大片空地，再在其上放置一組獨立的、紀念碑式的建築，以彰顯建築地標的震撼力。三家轉而都強調城市外部空間的整體性和連續性，要比獨立的地標建築更重要。
比如嚴訊奇的「文化經脈」案反復陳述美好的城市不在於「炫耀幾個地標」，而是如同《清明上河圖》中所描繪的城市圖景，「充滿了群眾活動的能量，一種延綿不斷的城市活力」。
庫哈斯的「文化新尺度」案將構思概括為兩部分，先是「草木繁茂的公園、遼闊的公共空間」，然後是「三個以『村』的概念演化而成的社區」。
福斯特的「城市中的公園」一案，一開始這樣描繪（理想的）城市：「城市，是由小巷，街道，公共空間，公園，還有平凡的建築群和好幾顆公眾的文化寶物所交織而成」。注意這裏福斯特對城市元素的排序：先是一系列城市外部空間——公園、公共空間、街道等，然後才是作為實體的建築。
簡言之，在整體城市哲學上，很難說三家之間有甚麼不同的意見。幾乎可以說，在經歷了二十世紀現代主義城市規劃在很多城市開發中的失敗後，大家都趨於謹慎，趨於重新珍惜那些傳統城市中的成功經驗，如對街道網絡、公共空間、綠化空間和城市肌理的愛護。三家方案設計思路和手段的差別，是在更細的層次上展現出的。

福斯特案

 

福斯特案

在基地東部，福斯特規劃了一條帶狀的城區，以求得與基地外邊緣現有的街道網絡連接起來。沿南北向，除連接高鐵站站前廣場和城市幹道外，福斯特還細化街區，在樓與樓之間留出很多空隙，讓海風和海景滲透過去。沿東西向，福斯特設有三條平行街道：北邊利用現有的柯士甸道（規劃有高架輕軌電車，協助東西交通）；南邊是海濱長廊，向東與九龍公園相連，向西引向一個巨型海濱公園；在這兩條道中間，是一條步行的「中央大街」，可稱為整個帶狀城區的脊柱。街北邊多是較高層商業開發樓宇和小部分小型文化設施，街南邊則是一排主要的文化設施，如中大型劇院、音樂廳、戲曲中心、舞蹈戲劇學校、 M+博物館等。以步行街的方式將眾多文化、商業設施組織起來，一方面與東部九龍老區銜接起來，另一方面在內部營造出更為悠閑、舒適的街區氣氛，這讓我想起紐約的百老匯劇院街區和倫敦的西區劇院街區，頗產生一種期待之情。
福斯特案，既然名為「城市中的公園」，其更顯著的特徵是將大部分建築都緊湊地規劃到一個帶狀城區內以後，得以騰出一大半濱海的基地，將之變為一個 19公頃、內有 5000棵樹的壯麗的海濱公園。
這規劃上的一緊一鬆的招式──一邊是與現有九龍老區相連的緊湊街區，另一邊是寬闊的海濱公園，高度的城市性和慷慨的回歸自然相輔相成──令我激賞！不用說，這公園讓人立刻聯想到曼哈頓的中央公園──它為紐約增添了多少魅力！而在香港，我們完全沒有這樣的城市公園。維多利亞公園只不過是一大堆球場加幾簇綠地，香港公園充其量是個放大了點的園林，九龍公園則過於擁塞和人工化。也許有人說，在二十世紀還要因襲十九世紀的曼哈頓中央公園的模式，是不是太因循守舊？我想說，現在只是「概念規劃」階段，關鍵是要做出決策，要不要這樣一個「城市公園」。如果要，至於公園到底是甚麼形式，甚麼才是「二十一世紀的城市公園」，可在下一步公園設計中探討。坦率地說，看到福斯特案中的公園，我的第一反應是：這個巨型海濱公園如真能實現，即使西九文化區其它所有設施都不修了，都可算是西九對香港城市的一大貢獻！
在歡呼的同時，我也想表達一個遺憾：從港島向西九望去，我們將看到鬱鬱蔥蔥的公園，而歌劇院等幾棟本有潛力成為城市地標的重要建築，將全部隱身在公園森林背後的角落中。這做法當然很安全──誰會不喜歡看到一大片公園呢？但這姿態是不是過於消極？有沒有可能在西九文化區的海邊，至少放「一顆公眾的文化寶物」，如同悉尼歌劇院那樣，優雅而自信地向維多利亞港呈現出來，成為在港島這邊隔海相望的鼓舞人心的視覺焦點和文化符號？

許李嚴案

 

許李嚴案

比較一下福斯特和嚴訊奇是如何開始他們各自的規劃構思介紹的會很有趣：福斯特以他特有的「普世主義」的口吻，陳述所有的好城市，不管在哪裏，隸屬何種文化傳統，其遵循的某些本質原則是一致的。而嚴訊奇則以一個「東方建築師」的姿態，先兜了一個「文化」的圈子，自問道：「為甚麼我們會對《清明上河圖》如此着迷？為甚麼我們要西九？」最終想證明，《清明上河圖》的精髓，實際上被轉譯到他們的規劃中了。
但更有趣的是，「東方主義」的許李嚴案與「普世主義」的福斯特案，不管各自說法上有多不同，在很多重大決策上卻有着驚人的相似之處。許李嚴案在基地上自北向南，平行排列了三條東西向的空間帶：以商業樓宇為主的城市帶、以文化設施為主的文化帶、以及濱海綠化帶──在平面規劃的大結構關係上，許李嚴案和福斯特案如出一轍。二者的差別體現在具體的街區劃分和建築形態的幾何控制上，城市剖面配置上，以及其它一些細節上。
在幾何控制上，福斯特案主要以矩形、方形來劃分街區和配置建築體量，使大部分街區和建築物呈現為「平凡的」街區和建築。在這些平凡的城市空間框架中，有幾種異樣的元素跳出來，比如一條對角綫街道南北切割下來，呼應北部高鐵車站「動態的」形體和人流，還有「幾顆公眾的文化寶物」——大型文化建築都各自有着獨立的幾何形態，等等。相形之下，許李嚴案將對角綫、斜切和尖角布滿整個基地，從街區劃分一直到低、中高層的建築形體塑造。與福斯特案的「平凡的建築群+幾顆公眾的文化寶物」的等級鮮明的城市構圖原則相比，許李嚴案似乎想讓某種「動態的」幾何語言涵蓋全區，使整個文化區都顯得不平凡，以表現他們所追求的「能量」。
在城市剖面配置上，福斯特案特點是有鬆有緊，鬆緊對比很強：建築剖面上緊，強調各種項目的三維組合，以高效利用建築室內空間；城市外部空間上則很放鬆，如中央大街就是地面上的一層步行街（地下設有車行通道），海濱公園就是地面上培育出來的自然公園。相形之下，許李嚴案則顯得處處都很緊張、用力：街道幾乎是三維的街道，在許多地方有好幾層轉換，地面本身也有大量起坡、翹曲，再加上空中廊道縱橫交錯。許李嚴的海濱公園實際上是一排體積大得驚人的低層建築，其頂蓋上通過覆土培植出來的屋頂花園。
另一個重要不同是對地標建築的擺放。不同於福斯特將所有大型建築都遠離海濱，隱身到公園森林背後的做法，許李嚴大膽地將一座大劇院放在基地西南角，頗有悉尼歌劇院背靠公園和城區，面向海港優雅綻放的風範。當然，這一定位會陡然給海濱公園增加一系列交通、後勤的麻煩，設計不好也會毀掉海濱公園的純粹性。但我仍認為值得仔細論證和爭取。如處理得好，為海濱公園畫龍點睛，為維多利亞港平添一頂「文化皇冠」，何樂不為？

簡言之，許李嚴案在一個本來很清晰簡單的總體規劃結構基礎上，發展出高度一體化，但在幾何上又顯得錯綜複雜的城市綜合體。在欣賞很多精彩場景之餘，我也產生疑惑：該文化區與其說是一個文化、娛樂、休閑場所，會不會更接近香港的一個超大規模、高密度的商業樓盤開發？建築師對《清明上河圖》的追求，會不會在實際結果上成為比尖沙咀廣東道更「高能量」的「周日商業街購物圖」？

OMA案

 

OMA案

庫哈斯，這位 OMA「大都會建築事務所」的創建人，一生鼓吹大都會文明，讚美「巨大」和「擁擠文化」的建築師，這次來到早已充斥着巨構建築，可稱得上「擁擠之都」的香港，突然搖身一變，在介紹設計時顯得更像他過去常譏諷的，一生致力於反對超大項目、和底層百姓打成一片、積極保護地方社區的美國老太太 Jane Jacobs。庫哈斯介紹他的西九文化區由三種元素構成：村落、園林地貌、街道風貌。
「村落的概念可以海納百川，將社會各界繁多而看似矛盾的期望消化、擺脫以龐大浮誇的建設來滿足大眾的迷思，並能消除『新』、『舊』九龍之間所可能存在的疏離和對立。」顯然庫哈斯敏銳地意識到，在過去十年中九龍開發中陸續出現的一些超大商業樓盤開發，正在急劇地破壞九龍老區細密的城市肌理和文化多樣性。與福斯特和許李嚴的一體化街區的集中規劃不同，庫哈斯的策略是將建築群化整為零，分為三個獨立區，即他所謂的三個「村落」，分別叫「東藝」、「西演」、「中城墟」。
在三個村落之間， OMA插入兩大片開闊綠地。西邊那片在北部還以一個大型露天劇場覆蓋在西九海底隧道口上空，既阻擋下部車行噪音，又使上部觀眾獲得向南看綠地、海港和港島的開闊視野，其展示的場景頗為引人。東邊那片，北部正對高鐵火車站，可自然成為火車站人流集散空間。東西兩片綠地顯得各自很獨立，遠沒有福斯特案的海濱公園那麼完整、連續。但是 OMA的設計說明強調二者之間由「中城墟」中的社區農田+樹林公園相連，東段又與九龍公園連起來，所以仍將所有部分合在一起，統稱為一個名為「新境界」的「香港市區最大的公園」。
這裏我且簡略比較一下我對福斯特案和 OMA案的不同美學觀感。福斯特案呈現出高度的整體性和清晰性，讓人基本可預見西九未來發展的圖景。但是它所展示的圖景，尤其是對街道生活的描繪，似乎總瀰漫着一種中產階級雅皮社區的氣氛。這讓我在感到舒適和安全之餘，也隱隱覺得有種失落感──如果在建築層面上，福斯特的美學趣味過於主宰西九龍文化區的話，恐怕九龍老區那豐富、混雜的生活質地將不會被重視，一切都將在福斯特的美麗新世界中被「升級」、拋光，被「城市紳士化」（ gentrification）。 OMA案則不同，它呈現出拼貼畫般的多樣圖景和質感，令我感到趣味橫生。顯然 OMA十分珍視九龍老社區中豐富、雜糅的文化和生機。在項目配置規劃和圖景描繪上， OMA有意識地抵制單一的「城市紳士化」趨勢，竭力想把高雅與草根文化、全球化與九龍本地社區、都市和鄉村等多重矛盾的因素並列或交織起來──這一思路，在我看來，是 OMA案為西九龍文化區的定位和開發做出的最有價值的貢獻！

然而，在讚嘆之餘，我對該方案的總體規劃結構有一個深深疑問：三個村落和兩片綠地，各自獨立性都很強。它們在基地上自東向西一字排開。那麼，在地面層，靠甚麼因素能有效地組織起連續的步行人流，將各空間組團連接起來，而不至於使各部分成為過於孤立的社區呢？與福斯特案和許李嚴案一樣， OMA也想靠街道。在理論上沒錯，而且其實是三家共享的城市哲學，那麼這種以街道來組織城市空間的思想在 OMA的規劃中實際貫徹的如何呢？很遺憾，我認為是有很大缺陷的。
寬泛說來，要形成有生機的街道，通常需具備幾個條件：最好在地面，或至少有很好的地面通達性；起點和終點要有強烈吸引力──這樣才能產生人流運動；要有連續性──街邊（最好是兩邊）有連續、多樣的小商業設施圍合，避免中斷；街邊圍合要有宜人的尺度；盡可能達到網絡性──不是孤立一條街，而是形成縱橫交錯、密集的街道網絡，等等。
我對 OMA的街道概念產生的疑惑，並不在這三個村落內部，而在它們之間的兩塊開敞綠地，即所謂「園林地貌」構成的公園。當街道進入這兩片開敞的綠地，還能稱之為街道嗎？恐怕只是道路而已。一條好的街道，如上所述，其魅力來自於多重因素的協同作用──兩邊建築實體的圍合、兩邊商業服務設施的搭配等等。而 OMA案中公園地面上的「阡陌」菱形圖案，只不過是開敞空間中的各種斜向的散步道而已。道兩邊沒有明確的空間和功能圍合，並不具備很強的人流導引性。也許在人流導向上，「中城墟」和「東藝」中緊湊的街道方格網與「園林地貌」上的鬆散的菱形散步道在根本上就是相互矛盾的兩個體系。坦率地說，我甚至都懷疑 OMA如此片段化的步行規劃，能否真正有效的將尖沙咀的人流引導到基地最西端，近一公里之外的「西演——劇場村」。

綜上所述，在三家方案中，我欣賞福斯特案的整體規劃佈局（城區+公園），許李嚴案的一些具體場景構想（如濱水的歌劇院和水上藝排等），以及 OMA案所展現的城市美學多樣性，甚至混雜性。

城市農夫新世代

節錄自<<明日風尚>> 07/2010

“後繼無人、高齡化產以成家立室”這都是日本人對農夫的普遍印象，不過，長野縣信洲農場獲原的農場主獲原昌真卻要告訴所有人，生活在郊野中的農夫也可以很酷、與時並進，而且還可以自信滿滿地告訴世人他們的工作充滿意義，因為食物關係著所有人的健康。

獲原昌真駕著他的Volkswagen 七人房車把我們載到他的稻米田，這之前我們剛參觀過他的辦公室、稻米乾燥室、庫倉以及蔬菜田，而稻米田才是他主要管理的農田。信洲農場獲原位於長野縣八重原，以種植薺麥、小麥、大豆及稻米為主，每年可生產50公噸稻米。農場佔地70公頃，菜田稻米田之間相隔僅約5分鐘的車程。

農田間的行車道狹窄而遷回，兩旁都是稻田，稻田遠處低矮的農家平房櫛比鱗次，平房上蔚藍的天空映照在稻田泥灰色的肥水里。正值午休時分，附近農場的農夫大都回到田舍休息，但仍有六名穿著歐洲服裝品牌Dickies工作服的農夫正忙於把一盒盒秧苗自運輸車上搬到插秧機中。他們就是獲原昌真的工作夥伴。他們都很年輕，最小的不過20歲。

從電子機械到新規就農

獲原昌真打從20歲開始接手父親獲原慎一郎的農場，不過在那之前他的夢想卻是聽來風馬牛不相及的機械開發。他自小便希望親手製造出功能卓著的機械人或汽車，並在農場鄰近的上田市上短期大學，完成了電子機械工程，主修機械人研發，不過後來他還是決定繼承父業。 “或許因為我是長子吧，始終覺得有責任延續祖輩的事業。不過，起初我並沒有毅然放下夢想，總覺得能製造出新穎的機械人很酷，而且，當年農場內都是經驗老到又嚴謹的年長農夫，只把我看作是’獲原慎一郎的兒子’，彷彿感覺不到我的存在，令我十分氣結。”在獲原昌真興致索然的時候，他參加了由當地農業青年社發起的”新規就農激勵大會”

新規就農是指39歲以下初加入農業的人，由於日本的農業工作者有老化的趨勢，加上日本持續走高的失業率，日本政府近年積極鼓勵年輕人加入農業，除了設有新規就農研修資金及就農獎學金，資助農業青年通勤及教育開支外，也於全國各地設有近47個新規就農相談中心，提供大量齊全的包括農業課程、農村生活、農業體驗活動等資料，使有意從事農業的人能夠簡便地獲得相關訊息。而各地的農業青年社，亦不時舉辦各種讓年輕農夫彼此認識交流的活動”新規就農激勵大會”便是其中之一。在該次會議上，一位於佐久市種植蔬菜的年輕農夫談到日本農業的未來，還有在農場上遇到的各種挑戰，獲原昌真被他對工作的熱誠、對社會的關愛深深打動，於是開始認真投入農業工作，並著手研究不使用農藥的稻米種植方法。 “我發現其實電子機械的研發與農業工作的根本價值毫無二至，前者是透過發明新的電子產品為人們帶來幸福的生活; 農業也是研發的工作，但我們研發的是更優質、安全而美昧的食物，通過食物使人們感到幸福。”

年輕就是農業青年最大的武器

獲原昌真的伙伴們己把秧苗放好，於是其中一位便坐上插秧機並啟動了機械，一株株幼小的秧苗隨即筆直地挺立在田內，不消一會兒便完成一畝田的工作。旁邊暫時閒著的另外位則拿著iPhone把一天的辛勞拍攝下來。獲原昌真笑言自己居於長野，但經常來往東京。他雖然討厭東京的喧鬧，卻喜歡東京包含了各種新事物的特質，在東京看看最新的電子產品，吸收新信息是他生活中不可缺少的樂事。農村生活完全無礙他投入信息科技及生活潮流中，最近他更忙於與於機遊戲公司合作推出模擬農場遊戲。

獲原昌真於去年創辦了針對35歲以下年輕農夫的雜誌«Agrizm»，以年的時間籌備並於東京設立編輯部，雖然編輯們全不是農夫，然而由於獲原昌真曾是全國農業青年社協議會的會長，不少年輕農夫都主動幫忙協助編輯工作，使內容緊貼農耕生活。雜誌的內容定位與一般生活潮流雜誌無異，只是主題都與農業相關，為讀者提供農業信息、各地農夫的故事，甚至還有食譜及讀者贈品。雜誌中的年輕農夫全都充滿活力，在鏡頭前毫不忌諱地擺出各種趣怪的表情動作，驕傲地談他們成為農夫的原因、經營大計、為改善食品質素而進行的研究及心得等等，一洗人們對農夫的普遍印象。 “我父親是從事農業的，故此自小對農業便不感到陌生，對農夫也沒有任何負面的印象。不過，大部分人對不同身份、不同階層的人都有既定的印象，例如東京大阪等城市人予人的印象便與農夫大不相同吧。普遍人都認為農夫是土里土氣、不修邊幅。自從我全心投入農業以後，我更確切地感到農夫與都市生活是毫無衝突的。我想令人明白當農夫也可以很酷，因此產生了«Agrizm»的念頭。”

第一期«Agrizm»喊出了極為晌亮的口號- “年輕就是我們農業青年最大的武器”。這個名為”年輕”的”武器”的胸襟、以及敢於突破傳統的魄力。創辦雜誌相信已是大部分人始料未及農夫會做的事，除此之外，獲原昌真在接管農場後還進行了系列的改革。以往他們出產的稻米只於街頭的雜貨店發售，獲原昌真為了開拓銷售途徑，便帶著稻米來到東京，向各大百貨公司扣門推銷貨品，也於超級市場內設置攤位，直接向顧客介紹自己的出品。 “人們總以為農夫都是年紀老邁的，起初人們看到20歲出頭的我時都投以奇怪目光，甚至懷疑稻米不是我種的。”現在，信洲農場獲原的稻米己於伊勢丹百貨發售，而農場的網站內更設有網上商店，他們一接到網上下的訂單，會隨即把稻米用宅急便送出，客人三天內便可收到。不過，對他來說最具意義的該是他研發出使人感到幸福的稻米來。

研发出使人感到幸福的稻米

吃到美昧而健康的食物時會感到無比的幸福，這是日本人的普遍觀念。殺蟲藥、除草劑以及化學肥料等，即使沒使用過量，都被視為是對人體有害無益的東西。因此，獲原昌真在投入農業工作以來，便看力研究在大規模農場內種植有機稻米的可能性。

化學肥料使用量比一般農場低半或以上，而種類則以種植方法、地點來區分，例如在鄰近八重原的立科町種植的稱為”蓼科(日文)”利用合鴨形式(編按:在稻米田中飼養鴨子，由於鴨子會吃掉田中的雜草及微生物，故可減少除草劑的用量)種植的則稱為”淺間(日文)””，而其中最受歡迎的品種，便是以有機種植的”(日文)”舞” (八重原舞)。而這稻米的特別之處還有其使用的肥料是以蘋果造成的堆肥。 “某天，我在商店中昕到顧客說•”談到長野縣的農作物通常只想到蘋果，倒沒有想到稻米呢。 ”那時，我便想是否可以把蘋果應用在稻米種植之上呢? 加上我們的農場也有製造麵包的工場，不乏造堆肥用的天然酵母，於是便決定以廢棄的蘋果來造天然堆肥。”

在駕車送我們往車站途中，獲原昌真說他不時都會收到客戶的電郵，他們在電郵內真誠地為自己能吃到美昧而安全的稻米而向他表示感激，對他來說，這就是工作給他最大滿足感。我想起在他辦公室近門口處張貼著一張張已經受潮泛黃的客戶來信及傳真，彷彿每次進出時都提醒著他，能為人們帶來幸福就是自己的福氣。

東京澀谷區 – 大都會小農場

幻想一下，這時的你正站在北京三里屯的蘋果計算機專賣店的頂層天台上，頂著大太陽，穿著滿是泥濘的膠靴，手執著鐵鏟埋頭耕作不足10平方米的農田，而腳下熙來攘往穿戴整齊的人們則正為新科技產品而興奮驚嘆。聽來荒謬不己，然而類似的畫面每天都在東京出現。發展迅速的城市的土地大都用來興建商業或住宅大樓，樓內住滿了人，樓上的天台卻多被空置，不過，對於關心農業、本土食物供應的東京人來說，這些露天的空間就有如等待被開墾的荒蕪土地，只要細心打理，水泥森林內也能長出翠綠鮮嫩的蔬菜。

銀座農園

陽光製造好食物

“因為這里天空很廣闊、日照很好、空氣很流通。”銀座農園的主理人飯村一樹以這三個理由解釋他何以在忙碌的都市中經營天台農場–表參道彩園，聽來輕描淡寫，但那些也看實是進行耕作不可忽略的因素。

銀座農園的業務全都跟農業相關，意圖在都市中引入農耕的概念，最引人注目的是於東京港區芝浦內的小型稻米田，而參與插秧工作的正是當地居民。可以想像生活在鬧市中而少接觸自然的人們，每天路過那小小的稻田，見到稻米逐漸的生長會感受到怎樣的衝擊。食物不再是商店內包裝整潔的”製成品”而是一株株大自然恩賜的小生命。不過，在都會的大街旁種植稻米的效果並不理想。 “由於旁邊的大廈遮擋著陽光，街道的日照時間從早上9時才開始，晚上時由於附近仍燈光通明，稻米根本沒有休息，因此味道也不佳。”

“我一直希望能夠吃到自己親自栽種的食物，我想不少人都有相同的念頭。”於是，他看手策劃表參道彩園這個把天台改成農場的計劃。天台居高臨下的位置可減少附近建築物對其採光的影響，讓放不下都市生活的人也有機會種植出美昧的食物來。

表參道彩園位於澀谷的青山區一幢三層高現代建築物的天台上，把天台改建成農場無需任何批文，只需大廈業主批准便可。 “幸好這大廈的業主對這計劃亦深表贊成，於是便把天台租了給我。”由於大廈的天台以混凝土建成，飯村一樹不用擔心天台的承重量問題，亦無需花費太多心思更改大廈結構，只需加強其防漏設施便成。至於充當農田的木框，他刻意請木匠使用未經打磨的杉木，以免木材加工的化學物質會殘留在泥土中。完成了這些工程後，表參道彩園於去年9月1日正式開幕。

表參道彩園的經營模式就如同大家熟知的周末農場，把土地劃成多個小區租出，而日本人稱這種分租的農場為”貸菜園”。表參道彩園設有l6塊農田，每塊的租金由l5750至23100日元不等。租戶可以隨意栽種任何植物，備有農業工作必需的工具如長靴、剪刀、鏟子等可供借用，不時會有工作人員駐場解答租地者關於耕作的問題，飯樹一村更會開設耕作班，教授各種蔬果的除蟲、澆水方式等基本知識。而當租地者沒閒暇時，工作人員還會代為打理農作物。與週末農場不同的是，站在表參道彩園內的土地時看不到鄉郊綠野，而是原宿、六本木及青山-帶的都市風景。農場之下的髮型屋，旁邊則是Paul Smith的分店。飯村一樹在這裡開設農園之初，還以為會吸引附近的居民，最終出乎意料地，前來耕作的都是在這一帶工作的上班族。 “或許因為這裡離電車站不過5分鐘路程，即使是平日上班的日子，他們也會在上班前或下班後道來打理農場。”