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Red symbolises joy. Orange represents friendship. Yellow signifies radiance. Blue evokes the sky and the ocean, while green stands for nature and peace.
This summer, the infusion of brilliant colours into an ordinary Hong Kong community has revitalised it, unveiling extraordinary vistas that both unite and inspire its residents.
Following the completion of the rooftop renovation at the Choi Wan Commercial Complex, Link partnered with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Bank of America to organise a community planting day. At this special event, more than 40 volunteers and residents came together to plant vibrant red plumeria, magnolia and crape myrtle at the shopping centre’s podium, beautifying the area and conveying wishes of joy, fortune, love and health. “Choi Wan Estate is home to more than 25,000 residents, and the Choi Wan Commercial Complex is an inseparable part of their daily lives,” says Jan Lee, Executive Director of ULI Hong Kong. “Through this collaborative project involving multiple parties, our aim is to enhance and enrich community life while also strengthening residents’ sense of belonging. By refurbishing existing facilities and creating new recreation and planter areas, we hope to provide the Choi Wan community with a sustainable, biodiverse, beautiful and functional green space.”
On planting day, volunteers and residents not only beautified the community as gardeners but also contributed as artists, completing a magnificent mural under the guidance of two talented young artists. Elaborating on the mural’s theme, DD Yung, one of the artists, explains: “The mural revolves around the distinctive scenery of the Choi Wan community. The majestic ancient banyan trees, lively playgrounds and other elements in the surrounding area have provided us with a rich source of inspiration. These elements are deeply rooted in the Choi Wan community and represent its warmth and vitality. Choi Wan is a place full of natural splendour and community love; residents care for one another and coexist harmoniously with nature. Through this mural, we hope to express our gratitude for the community and inspire residents to cherish their beloved neighbourhood, fostering a sense of love and appreciation for its unique qualities.”
The other participating artist, Sidney Cai, who specialises in landscape design and urban sketching, observes: “Urban environments are designed for people; however, traditional renovation projects frequently lack a connection with the public or residents. These projects are typically made accessible to the public after they are completed, leaving community members to passively adapt to the changes and gradually rebuild their sense of belonging.”
The Choi Wan Commercial Complex renovation project breaks with this tradition by directly engaging residents as active participants rather than passive observers, Sidney adds. “This has significant meaning for the residents. By instilling deeper meanings in the mural and the public space, residents contribute to the community while also creating cherished memories together. The beautification process even has a positive impact on the residents who witnessed it as they passed by the site.”
DD Yung fondly recalls various anecdotes from the mural-making process, highlighting heartwarming interactions with community members: “One resident, Mr. Law, is a master painter himself. On the first day, he approached us and generously shared his expertise on how to manage the wall surface more effectively. From that point forward, rain or shine, Mr. Law would pay daily visits to check on our progress and offer invaluable advice.” She continues, “We also had the pleasure of having two sisters who also visits us every day, and a young brother and sister duo who love to draw. Every day, the young boy would eagerly join us, helping to carry our heavy painting tools and actively participating in colour mixing and painting. Even the residents who passed by the mural site expressed their encouragement and support. Their presence infused the creative process with warmth and a strong sense of community love.”
Sidney reveals that he initially prepared creative guidelines for the volunteers and residents to follow. However, he quickly realised that the residents’ capabilities and creativity far surpassed his expectations: “We had to constantly adapt and adjust our strategy on-site to allow participants the freedom to express their own ideas. Seeing the genuine joy on children’s faces as they immersed themselves in the creative process was incredibly fulfilling.”
DD Yung adds, “Through this project, many residents in Choi Wan discovered shared interests and hobbies, allowing them to gain a better understanding of one another and form stronger bonds. This type of community-wide participation is vital for building a cohesive community and instilling a sense of belonging among its members. We sincerely hope that these interactions continue in the future, as they contribute to the community’s ongoing development and the overall improvement of residents’ lives.”
