Department of Urban Development, Taipei City Government

As the 25th anniversary for “Dadaocheng Historical District” approached, in order to examine the current progress and plan for the future, the International Seminar held by Urban Regeneration Office (URO) Taipei City from 23rd November to 25th November was ended successfully. Possible future directional goals and strategies for preserving Dadaocheng Area have been brain-stormed by the enthusiastic discussions and interactions from both professional scholars and citizens.
The seminar has invited four foreign professional scholars, where one of the scholars, Shimotsuma Kumiko, is from the Cultural Properties Department in Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs. She shared to the attendants the Japanese System of Traditional Architecture Preservation Area. She also pointed out that preserving the historical villages should not only depend on the System of Traditional Architecture Preservation Area; it also requires the assistances from the local residents and other measures.
Aramaki Sumikazu, the permanent member of the Japanese Association for Conservation and Regeneration, talked about how Kawagoe Town builds and operates its own shopping street to prosper itself, and the government acts as the town’s supporter. Besides the shopping street, Kawagoe Town has also organized a “Town Committee”, which is responsible for maintaining the shopping street and organizing town’s events.
Chak Seng Chan, the consultant of Macau Cultural Affairs Bureau, said that government of Macau uses Cultural Heritage Conservation Law and Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage to protect Macau’s historical sites.
Pimonsathean, the professor of Faculty of Architecture & Planning Thammasat University, shared three methods to maintain preservation and operation of shophouses, which are preservation fees provided by the CPB (Crown Property Bureau) Bangkok, matching funds and use of communities’ enterprises.
The seminar had also discussed some domestic cases on historic districts and villages.
One of the cases was discussed by Ru-Hwa Chiu, a secretary-general. She has recalled the past memories of preserving Dadaocheng Historical District.
Hsu Yu Chian, an architect, has shared the experience on preserving Sanxia Old Street and Shenkeng Old Street. He also mentioned that interactions with the local residents and knowing the local characteristics are important for preservation.
Mei Yeo Lo, the village chief of Hujing Village, Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, shared the experience of how enthusiastic local residents were during the process of reconstruction of Hukou Old Street
Li Wen Sung, the professor of Tamkang University Architecture Department, has shared to the attendants a preservation strategy that will need the helps from the artists group. It will create a better Tamsui by assisting schools and communities on preservation as well as building good relationship with local residents.
Mei-Yin Lin, the associate professor of National Quemoy University Department of Architecture, has shared his experiences on preserving Kinmen villages. He also mentioned that historical and cultural investigations are critical during the progress of preservation. Other than that, he has shared his ideas on Dadaocheng Historical District.
Chung Chieh Lin, the director of URO Taipei City, and Mei Show Liu, the senior executive officer of Department of Urban Development Taipei City Government, reported on the efforts that the government put into Dadaocheng Historical District, reviews of professionals’ observations and PowerPoint slide shows presented by different departments. It has motivated the attendants to the enthusiastic discussion on Taipei historical districts.
After three days of discussion in the International Seminar, we have understood that changing the cities must be persistent. Keeping and promoting the good characteristics of an area, and citizens’ participations and discussions are the critical factors during the process of preservation. There are still many development levels in Dadaocheng Area that can be considered, such as building resident-based historical districts and mutually supports between tourist attractions and residential-based districts. Taipei City Hall has combined and examined the ideas provided by various people, and base on that Taipei City Hall will strive for brighter future of Dadaocheng.