BOOKTALKS| Urban Landscape Lecture Series—Memo for the Future of Asian Metropolises Public Space(s) in Urban Asia

Event Content

“The People vs. The World of Tomorrow” lecture series is extended from a late-night reading session for selected books at Winsing Art Place. Launched by the Winsing Arts Foundation, Hui-Fang Liu, Assistant Professor from the Department of Urban Development at the University of Taipei, invited experts in architecture to submit, share, and talk about their favorite theoretical works in the fields of landscape, cities, architecture, and more. Unlike previous discussions of pure architecture, we look at cities, buildings, and public spaces from a more diverse perspective, discussing concepts such as “urbanism,” “commonality,” “publicness,” and “future cities” in the books. The third session will feature an introduction to Public Space in Urban Asia by Professor Hsin-Ko Yu, with Professor Jeffery Hou from the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Washington serving as a special guest speaker.

Public Space in Urban Asia is edited by William S. W. Lim, Singapore’s foremost urban architect and urbanist. The book examines how laissez-faire market forces erode public space amid rapid urbanization across Asian cities. Particularly in capitalist societies like Singapore, where profit-making takes precedence, public spaces throughout the city increasingly function as consumption venues. This contrasts with traditional public spaces that actively provide urban significance through affordability and accessibility. The book offers a vivid critique of Singapore’s public spaces while including perspectives from Chongqing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Taipei as citiesto be reviewed. Ultimately, these thoughtful insights underscore the critical importance of spatial justice. Written in 2014, this book reminds us to engage with and understand the city’s current realities—particularly the importance of creating well-being for every member of society.