The principles for the formation of cities are like those for the formation of tribes in former times: According to the theory of quantitative history, "Two and a half hours round trip is the exhaustion limit for the distance, measured in time, between the place where a person works and the place where a person lives." Therefore, in the era of walking (4 km/hr), a person's living circle had a radius of five kilometers. In the motor vehicle era (if we use 100 km/hr), a person's living circle radius could reach 125 km. Thus there are cases of "supersized metropolises" such as New Jersey, Washington-Baltimore, or San Francisco-Los Angeles-San Diego in the U.S.

If Taiwan develops similarly to the U.S., in the far distant future there will appear one supersized metropolis which may be called "Metro West Taiwan." However, looking only at the early 21st century, Taipei City's structure will include Tamshui, Juifang, Hsintien, Sanhsia, Taoyuan, and Linkou; this is an inevitable situation. Of course it is not necessary to mention the fact of numerous cities like Sanchung or Panchiao already being conglomerated with Taipei. With the development of traffic hardware and software, after ten years vehicle speeds could average 30 km/hr, bringing Chungli or even Yangmei within the 37.5 kilometer living circle diameter with Taipei City at the center. And from the outmigration of population from the old Taipei City districts of Chengchung, Yenping, and Lungshan, we can foresee the development of major suburban areas. Because of this, I also advocate expanding Taipei City's administrative area.

Some old fogies think Taipei has no "Chinese traditional" qualities. Some romantics say the face of Taipei is too ugly. Some environmental activists have launched an offensive on Taipei's air pollution and the pollution of the Tamshui River.... Perhaps just because of this criticism and spurring on, by the beginning of the 21st century, at least we will be able to see a clean and clear Tamshui River. As for structures, doesn't Taipei already have some buildings with "personality and character"?

For the past several years, every year there have been over one million visits by tourists to Taiwan. Among them, not a few are business people or students who stay for long or short periods. Like the border cities of ancient China, the marks of cultural exchange are left on customs, language, and structures. Therefore, we can foresee more churches and mosques, more visits by international sports and music celebrities, and we can foresee that at the beginning of the 21st century that every week, or even every day, there will be an international conference or event.

Internationalization will solidify the conditions for existence: for example, the many foreign banks and insurance companies now clustered on Minsheng East Rd., from their own interests, will speak for us internationally. And the diplomatic breakthrough of the establishment of the French Institute in Taipei is the springboard for Taipei's international image in the 21st century.

Taipei is full of galleries (the area around Tunhwa North, Chunghsiao East, and Jenai East Roads has at least 25). And though the construction of the National Theater and National Concert Hall received much criticism, like the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Social Educational Hall before it, after a period of time everything will be on track, giving city residents the best in cultural activities. The same goes for the new large-scale athletic center, to be completed by 2000, and also the soccer stadium. Soon we can watch the Argentine soccer star Maradona with our own eyes!

The holding of a three-month Taipei Arts Festival every year has also laid a stable foundation for cultural construction in Taipei City. And Taipei offers the best universities and high schools as well. Real estate developers are already using the term "culture zone;" by the beginning of the 21st century it will become a fact.

It has been said that you can find any kind of Chinese cuisine and hear any kind of Chinese dialect in Taipei. Because of the quickening of the pace of internationalization we can foresee that in the 21st century one will be able to taste all the world's cuisine and study any language in Taipei. At the Chienkuo flower market Taipei residents will be surprised by the vast numbers of exotic plants, and find animals too numerous to name at the zoo. There will be startling variety in vehicles and fashion. Another feature is social pluralization; we don't know what the future will be exactly, but it will be more colorfully diverse.

Another ideal is to have an "obstacle-free" environment. Currently, Taipei streets, not to mentions pedestrian over- or underpasses, have no wheelchair ramps; this is carelessness or ignorance on the part of city planners or those in charge of traffic!

Aside from physical obstacles, we hope we don't see things like "women should not walk in the streets alone at night" or "when you make a withdrawal at the bank, don't let anyone see" still with us in the 21st century. A feeling of security is a top priority need after satisfying material needs. And not only physical security--there is also the security of wealth, including employment guarantees and retirement insurance.

To go one more step there are needs for "dignity" and "self-realization". Given the current urban anonymity, there are few opportunities to let others "understand," much less "respect." A "new neighborhood" ethic must be established. Only in a society of close human relations can a person have the satisfaction of accomplishment. At that time, a city will really achieve the ideal "obstacle-free" environment.

Before Christmas, every group in the factory invests a lot of time and energy to decorate the factory as part of a competition.

The Philippines was formerly a colony of Spain. Many of its buildings ha ve a rich Spanish flavor.