These separate service lines combine to form a monstrous transport system that not only meets the demands of the citizens' needs, but is a crucial link in holding the intricate tapestry of urban society together.

Originating from different sources, water from the reservoir or factories, electricity from the power company, gas from the gas lines of the main gas utility, and the telephone from the directorate of the telephone and telegraph office--these separate systems start out as main trunk lines following the city road systems. They then branch out into vein-like networks entering the alleys and lanes and finally separating into the distinct capillaries that feed the individual home unit.

One of the most significant indicators of the growth of Taipei are the annual statistics for the amounts of water and power used by city inhabitants. On the average, over one million tons run through the water works each day. Rapid urban growth initiated an acceleration in the installation of hydro lines and soon the hydro pole became a representative symbol of urban development, along with the towering office and apartment towers.

To cope with the situation, the government began to lay underground electricity lines in 1965. At present, underground cables account for 61% of the city's electricity, a rate higher than that of Tokyo and Seoul. Long-range planning has been used to ensure that the future environmental quality of the urban landscape is maintained, so that new areas will use the underground cable system. Officials hope that within 10 years citizens will not be able to see any more of these "facial scars" which dot the cityscape. Besides the standard function of water transport, the underground system of sewers and pipelines diverts rain waters and handles sanitation of water, transporting it to treatment plants.

When laying this complex network of different service lines, safety is the most important consideration. Cables are encased in protective linings, while gas, the most potentially dangerous element, is laid a safe distance away from electrical lines in order to avoid explosions. Costs are a factor as well; laying cable involves digging a fair distance into the earth, thus increasing the initial costs, especially when compared to above-ground wiring. Laying underground electrical wire systems is five to six times more expensive than installing the hydro pole network. Depths are usually kept between one to two meters below the surface, but there are exceptions. Drainage pipes are laid at deeper depths in order to facilitate faster water flow.

The development of these underground networks has occurred at such a rate that even the government departments in charge of specific areas are not clear as to the subsurface systems that have been installed. Problems have arisen in trying to establish some standard uniformity in laying out these systems. The government delegated control of various areas to different offices, with the result that each department wasn't familiar with the other.

Adding this scenario is the present undertaking of a mammoth plan to lay an underground rapid transit railway to alleviate the increasingly busy Taipei roads. The most important function of this system will be to remove the delays that the 13 railway crossings in the west end of the city cause each time a train runs through the area. It will also go a long way in eliminating the congestion that builds up along the main roadways like Chung Hwa Road. This will reduce the number of cars on the streets, saving time, cutting down on car emissions and noise levels, as well as providing the opportunity to beautify the above ground urban environment. This, however, can be looked at from an opposing light. While an underground system may promise future benefits, it also will create immediate inconveniences. The currently busy streets that the underground line will serve, will become more difficult to navigate with the construction that is required in building the underground lines. Another critical factor is that the construction of the line will increase the hazard of severing or damaging some of those vital service lines. A simple mistake could affect an entire city population.

Citizens are asked to endure the present inconvenience in order to enjoy the future benefits the underground system will provide. Most of the world's major metropolises are serviced by some form of subway or underground rail line. As Taipei joins the ranks of the world's major cities, the installation of these underground services will provide not only essential public services, but contribute to the beautification of the urban landscape.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1. The complex network of pipelines connecting each city dwelling. The yellow colored lines represent electric wire lines, brown, running water, gray, sewer pipes, green, the gas line system, and the color blue, the telephone line system. 2. Laying underground electric cable. (Courtesy of the Taiwan Power Company).

Construction of the underground rail line at the Chung Shan North Road site, underneath the Fushing Bridge. 1. The construction site is full of machinery used in the project. 2. Construction workers must first pump out subsurface water after digging underground. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Communications Taipei Railway Underground Project Office).

2. Laying underground electric cable. （Courtesy of the Taiwan Power Company）.

Construction of the underground rail line at the Chung Shan North Road site, underneath the Fushing Bridge. 1. The construction site is full of machinery used in the project.

2. Construction workers must first pump out subsurface water after digging underground. （Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Communications Taipei Railway Underground Project Office）.