| Summary: | 碩士 === 明道大學 === 環境規劃暨設計研究所 === 97 === Before the formation of Taipei Metropolitan Area, the Shulin Township was a town center in its early development. When the Taipei Metropolitan Area was suburbanized, the population of the Shulin Township increased rapidly; yet when the Taipei Metropolitan Area expanded outwards, the Shulin Township has converted into a satellite township. In 1999, the population of the Shulin Township exceeded 150,000 and the Township was transformed into a County-administered city that same year. During its development, the inner structure of the city generated a tremendous transition.
During its early development, the reclamation of the Shulin region was dependent on canal development; yet the commencement of the railway and establishment of the train station moved the heart of Shulin from Tandi to the area around the Station, with new streets gradually formed afterwards.
The Jian Temple, the religious center originally located at Tandi was also moved to the new streets and its front square became the gathering place for local residents as well. Since the 1980’s, the rise of national income caused an increase in vehicle ownership and traffic flow, as well as insufficient parking space. The result was the conversion of the covered canal into roads and the plaza into parking space; this affected the city’s identity and sense of place to a great extent, by burying the historical context and texture under the roads.
In recent years, the urban plan has been limited to individual places, which led to a lack of planning in regard to the natural environment and history of city development. This has often encompassed turning a “place” with historical meaning and profound significance to local residents into an insignificant “space”. The results were the disappearance of local features, historical context and cultural attachments. To recover the city’s identity and sense of place, one must review the history of the city’s development in conjunction with a search for significant trends and an appreciation for the texture of development in terms of historical and cultural interests, stressing the relevant elements and strategic importance in the process.
This study’s examination of the development transition focused on three elements, namely: canal, temple and plaza, for the discussion on city development, specifically, the influence and significance of local features and cultural attachment in the relation to the city development in the Shulin region. With literature review, overlay process and questionnaire survey, the strategic position of the city was determined, which could serve as reference for establishing the city’s identity and local sense.
During the course of study, it was found that canals in Shulin region have mapped out the historical trail and urban texture of village development. The Jian Temple and its front square are important premises for consolidating local affection and culture. In order to establish the city’s identity and a “sense of place” for Shulin region, the following three steps are recommended: 1. Re-present the texture of canals and the spirit of plazas (genius loci) via public art, to recall local consciousness and group memories; 2. Achieve resolution with public votes to restore canals, re-locate car parks, re-construct plazas and build underground sewage system; as well as separate the irrigation and drainage systems to improve the water quality of canals, and establish the basis for recreational functions; 3. Adopt methods of urban renewal to reproduce canal and plaza space, to shape the city’s image, increase versatility and attraction of urban living, as well as to re-establish the city’s identity and sense of place.
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