According to the latest population statistics, of the more than 18 million people populating the island province of Taiwan, approximately 13,410,000 are concentrated into urban areas. The most startling fact about this is that cities account for only 9.4% of the total land area.
Overcrowding, traffic jams, air pollution, noise pollution, the list of inconveniences reads on and on, yet people continue to migrate into the city in ever increasing numbers. Are the inconveniences a necessary evil, the price that must be paid to live in the city? And just what is the future course of urban development? What will the cityscape of 10, 20 years from now be like? Perhaps by reviewing the recent history and changes that the city of Taipei has gone through, we can shed some light on the future course of urban expansion.
Taipei, the cosmopolitan, thriving capital of the island province stands at the forefront of island cities. Presently supporting a population of 2.4 million, Taipei has come a long way, in a brief span of time, from the days when it was designed to accommodate a maximum of 600,000 residents.
The present population of 2.4 million does not include the community of foreign residents or the sizable transient population (those not registered as city residents). This explosive growth has ushered in a wave of new building, a growing influx of money, and a continual increase in the number of new residents.
This sustained pressure on growth has altered the visual landscape of the city. As Yu Ming-kuo, director of the graduate school of architecture at Tunghai University so succinctly assesses the ongoing boom in urban construction, "land can't grow, but people do, so the only way to build is up." Consonant with this growth in the number of buildings have been changes in the exterior designs and materials used in construction. In most cases, the materials of buildings often reflect the popular styles of the time period in which the building was constructed.
Architect Kuo Er-p'an in discussing the effects of such massive building says, "City land becomes scarce and consequently expensive, but building continues on unabated. People hope to be able to build where they can and of course until there is no space left." The government, in hoping to implement effective management of urban construction, introduced legislation that set fixed limits to building size. This policy, called the Chien P'i Lu (Building Coverage Ratio), was a standard measure in line with the following principle: if a commercially zoned area had a value of0.8, then four fifths of that land surface could be used for building construction. Further, the width of the road that ran in front of the building was multiplied by 1.5 to determine the maximum allowable height of the proposed building. If, however, builders wanted to exceed such a limit, they had to apply for special permission. Director of the architecture department at Tunghai University, Chan Yao-wen says, "This measure set clear limits on the height, length, and width of each approved building." Developers, eager to get maximum usage of the allowed space began to lower the ceiling heights, thus increasing the number of stories erected. This trend has been likened to an overweight girl dressing in the most popular and elegant of fashions. These buildings appeared modern but lacked the elegance and comfort of more spacious structures. More serious than the exterior appearance, this development triggered two major problems not uncommon to rapidly growing cities: overcrowding and an inadequate number of public facilities (such as parks, activity centers, etc.) to meet the demands of such a burgeoning population. The urban landscape became an endless scene of building upon building, car upon car, person upon person.
In addition to the overcrowding, construction under the Chien P'i Lu formula set a maximum population limit of 6.5 million for the city. The city government, stepping in the role of physician treating a patient, prescribed some new dietary measures. The first is the introduction of a new formula for building quotas, the Jung Chi Lu (Floor Area Ratio). Using the floor space area for the proposed building as a base factor, the size and number of inhabitants could be formulated. Projections for the future growth of the city indicate that under this system the population limit can be set at 3.5 million.
Planners point out that in the future there will be less pressure from migration into the city of transient residents. The establishment of planned satellite communities surrounding the main metro area will also relieve population pressures. Residents of these communities will commute to the city to work during the day, and in the evening return to their homes in the satellite communities.
Besides the important benefits of controlling population growth and distribution, the Jung Chi Lu will encourage diversity in building styles (as it does not actually limit height ranges). The formula, unlike the previous Chien P'i Lu, allows the development of open space in front of buildings, giving impetus to the construction of public parks, gardens, and other essential facilities. The one unfortunate drawback of this new guideline is that all previously constructed buildings will not be affected unless they are torn down or renovated.
A second curative measure being administered by the city government is the development of a second support city around the Hsin Yi Road area. This ambitious project, now in the construction stages will include a complete, planned central business district (CBD) containing hotels, department stores, cinemas, malls, schools, parks, and other facilities. The city government plans to move its offices over to the area by 1990.
Transportation problems that most developing cities encounter have not escaped Taipei. Current surveys show that the number one concern of most city residents is the problem of transportation. The Transport Ministry, in tandem with the Taipei City Government, are working on the development of an effective public transportation system that will service the increasing demands of a growing population.
Using volume of passenger flow as a guide, there are three classifications of the public transportation system: a low volume, one way flow that carries less than 5,000 passengers per hour, a mid-flow system that supports 5,000-20,000 passengers per hour, and a high level system that can accommodate a volume of more than 20,000 passengers per hour.
The fastest, most convenient ways to build are either above the standard road system, or to go underground. Raised freeway-style ramps run about three times as expensive as normal road construction, while underground costs are five times as expensive. In calculating the costs for the proposed underground rail line plan, planners estimate that a one kilometer stretch of line will cost a staggering US$125 million. Such prodigious figures have led planners to devise a system that will not rely that much on the underground line.
The city of Taipei has undergone drastic changes in its recent history. From a small, functional town it has suddenly found itself in the role of an international metropolis. Meeting the challenges that city life imposes, the city government has embarked on a concentrated program of population control, beautification and transportation convenience. The success of these measures will ensure Taipei a place in the international venue of great cities. But more important, this new, dynamic cityscape will best be reflected in the appreciation of its proud citizens.
(Gerald Hatherly)
[Picture Caption]
1. Fresh, innovative building designs add a touch of beauty to the Taipei cityscape. 2. The sculpture in front of the China Trust Building on Ch'ang Ch'un Road features a large "C", the company's logo. An aerial view of the area around the Taipei Train Station between Kuan Ch'ien Road and Kaifeng Street.
1. Chinese people are used to living in mixed, cosmopolitan areas. Residential alleys often house a number of shops amidst the many housing units. 2. The green shade trees lining the safety islands are a pleasant sight on Tun Hua South Road. 3. Ts'ai Hsun-hsiung, head of the Economic Planning and Development Council says, "citizens believe if you have a road, you have people, if you have people, you have money, therefore Taipei's growth and expansion followed the development of its transport and road network."
1. Jen Ai Road is Taipei's famous tree-lined boulevard because of its many fountains and green shade trees. 2,4. The sculpture in front of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum adds a note of artistic atmosphere to the grounds. 3. Decorative sculptures have appeared in increasing numbers along Taipei's streets, adding another touch of beauty to the urban landscape.
1. People are the city's most active sight. 2. The numerous food stalls found in the night markets are one of Taipei's unique treasures. 3. The Lai Lai square, in the bustling west end of the city, is the first planned city square. The streetside artists, eager to paint for you, attract a great deal of attention 4.5. The area under the Chien Kuo North and South Freeway Ramp is turned into a flower market on holidays. Taipei residents who love nature's greenery can come to browse. The photo shows busy shoppers buying potted flowers and plant accessories.
1. The brilliant neon lights seem to radiate the aura of Taipei's prosperity. 2. An aerial view of Taipei's countless lights creates a sparkling scene of brilliant beauty.
1. Fresh, innovative building designs add a touch of beauty to the Taipei cityscape.
2. The sculpture in front of the China Trust Building on Ch'ang Ch'un Road features a large "C", the company's logo. An aerial view of the area around the Taipei Train Station between Kuan Ch'ien Road and Kaifeng Street.
An aerial view of the area around the Taipei Train Station between Kuan Ch'ien Road and Kaifeng Street.
1. Chinese people are used to living in mixed, cosmopolitan areas. Residential alleys often house a number of shops amidst the many housing units.
2. The green shade trees lining the safety islands are a pleasant sight on Tun Hua South Road.
3. Ts'ai Hsun-hsiung, head of the Economic Planning and Development Council says, "citizens believe if you have a road, you have people, if you have people, you have money, therefore Taipei's growth and expansion followed the development of its transport and road network.".
1. Jen Ai Road is Taipei's famous tree-lined boulevard because of its many fountains and green shade trees.
2,4. The sculpture in front of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum adds a note of artistic atmosphere to the grounds.
3. Decorative sculptures have appeared in increasing numbers along Taipei's streets, adding another touch of beauty to the urban landscape.
2,4. The sculpture in front of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum adds a note of artistic atmosphere to the grounds.
1. People are the city's most active sight.
2. The numerous food stalls found in the night markets are one of Taipei's unique treasures.
3. The Lai Lai square, in the bustling west end of the city, is the first planned city square. The streetside artists, eager to paint for you, attract a great deal of attention.
4.5. The area under the Chien Kuo North and South Freeway Ramp is turned into a flower market on holidays. Taipei residents who love nature's greenery can come to browse. The photo shows busy shoppers buying potted flowers and plant accessories.
4.5. The area under the Chien Kuo North and South Freeway Ramp is turned into a flower market on holidays. Taipei residents who love nature's greenery can come to browse. The photo shows busy shoppers buying potted flowers and plant accessories.
1. The brilliant neon lights seem to radiate the aura of Taipei's prosperity.
2. An aerial view of Taipei's countless lights creates a sparkling scene of brilliant beauty.
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