International Chinatown in Seattle

During my exploration in International Chinatown, I observed that spaces were used among different age groups. For example, seniors,workers, and performers played games, rested, or performed at Hing Hay Park. As for children, they played on the structured at the International Children Park with their families or friends.

The projects made the community engage with the planning process since a organization called Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority hosted meetings so that the community members like family associations and property owners can give their opinions about the projects. Also, Wilderness Inner-City Leadership Development (WILD) Program, a youth program, brought seniors to the meetings share their feeling toward the projects that impacted their community.

A lesson that I would bring back to San Francisco for open space would be making sure that the spaces are suitable for the locals that are living in an area close to the open space. Another lesson would be to design open spaces with the opinion from the community so that the usage of the spaces would be efficient with satisfaction.

-Stephanie Chan

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