*3.1. Site Observation*

The ped and bike system is a path shared by non-motor vehicles and pedestrian, about 1.5–7 m wide (Figure 4a). There were about 20 cyclists passing in 10 min during the peak time in the afternoon, including 8 deliverymen passing with fast speed. No extra space for recreation is left for pedestrians in the narrow section where there was only 2 m width. There is no clear bicycle parking area along the greenway. Two roads cross the survey section. There are a few stone seats along the river. These seats are lack maintenance (Figure 4b). During the peak period, the seats can be used by a percentage of 100%. The greening system can be divided into two parts. The most important vegetation is the original trees kept on the banks of the river, which are lush (Figure 4c). In addition, some of the surrounding community walls are separated from the greenway by 1–2 m wide vegetation. There are very few streetlights. Neither physical exercise facility nor public toilet was found.

**Figure 4.** The depiction of the community greenway ((**a**) the bike and ped path; (**b**) a stone seat; (**c**) lush vegetation) (Source: Author's own photographs).

Through observation, it was found that the common activities carried out by residents were in accordance with 'life between buildings', which can be summarized as (1) necessary activities: commuting, walking dogs; (2) optional activities: Relaxing, reading, enjoying scenery, fishing, physical exercise and shopping at the vendors along the greenway; (3) Social activities: interacting with neighbors and family members (Figure 5).


**Figure 5.** The activities in the community greenway (Source: The author's own drawing).

Although the space of the community greenway is limited, it can be summarized into several different types (Figure 6). The first type is the greenway space adjacent to the outer wall of the community. The greenway is 2 m wide. There is no extra space. Most people just passed by or took a walk. A few people would do physical exercise or fishing along the river. Some people chatted with neighbors by the river. The second type is the greenway crossing a small square, with a width of 7 m. People tended to do social activities here, such as being with children and chatting with neighbors. It is also a good place to sit alone, read books, or enjoy the scenery. The third type is the green space close to the open residential buildings, that is, the entrance and exit of the residential building directly facing the greenway. The greenway is 5 m wide. Most people would not stay here and they just passed by, and some sat on the bench by the river to chat with the neighbors. The fourth type is the greenway with a small garden. The vegetation in the greenway and in the garden is relatively closed, so the space is quiet. Residents liked to sit with family members or let the children play here. The fifth type is the greenway combined with the parking lot. The greenway is 1.5 m wide. However, some parking space is used as recreational space. Most people took physical exercise and walked the dog here.

In addition to the above activities, there were also some self-organized activities along the community greenway (Figure 7), such as small vendors in the corner, clothes drying on the fence, old furniture shared by neighbors, etc. These self-organized activities showed that the community greenway, in addition to being a public space, is also a space that residents like to share private life. It is

because of these creative activities that blur the boundaries between space and private life and make the space more livable.

**Figure 6.** Mapping of the greenway space and public activities (Source: The author's own drawing and photographs).

**Figure 7.** The self-organized activities in the community greenways ((**a**) Haircut in the corner; (**b**) furniture shared by the neighbors) (Source: The author's own photograph).
