In an effort to improve housing standards and the living environment, the government of the Republic of China has been carrying out community development projects all over Taiwan. Among the most successful is the Minsheng Community in Taipei, which combines comfortable housing with neat, orderly and picturesque surroundings.
The Minsheng Community, located close to the heart of Taipei city, and regarded as up to international standards, has cost the Taipei city government US$26.3 million to develop since work started in 1964. The community features open areas, wide streets and a total of 22 gardens, some of them equipped with children's playgrounds. Amid the lush trees and manicured grass, pavilions and benches are strategically located. Not surprisingly, on summer evenings, residents of the community like to meet in the surrounding parkland while their children play safely nearby. The construction of houses in the community, from both public and private financing, was planned in accordance with community development projects. The height, size and density of the housing, as well as the width of the streets is all standardized. The overall appearance of the community is therefore neat and orderly, but not sterile, since the houses are subtly spaced amid the gardens and grassy areas.
The total area of the grassland in the community is 35,000 pings (1 ping = 36 square feet). In the early morning, residents can be seen jogging, skipping, playing badminton and engaging in swordplay and shadow boxing (Tai-chi Chuan). Sometimes knots of people form to discuss their favorite sport or exchange views on daily experiences, thus enhancing the spirit of good neighborliness. The children's playgrounds include play equipment, such as swings, slides, horizontal bars, seesaws and swing chairs. Other favorite pursuits of the children are tag, hide-and-seek, kite-flying and bicycle-riding. The abundance of outdoor space helps children to get along with each other and encourages their mental and physical growth.
For the convenience of housewives, groceries, bakeries and supermarkets are all close at hand. When uninvited guests drop in, it is easy to call at one of the many fast-food places in the vicinity, serving a variety of Chinese and Western dishes. The neat appearance and reasonable prices which are a feature of these restaurants makes them very popular with community residents. Since all water, gas and electricity facilities are transported underground, there are no unsightly wires and poles to spoil the view. Although this may deprive the birds of places to perch, the abundance of trees in the community fortunately gives them a more natural habitat. Other facilities provided for residents are kindergartens, primary schools and junior high schools, plus a regular bus service to ensure convenient transportation to all parts of Taipei city.
