Southeast Asian Town in Taichung－Formation Process of Heterotopia by Transnational Labors

• Main Authors: Chen-Hui Yang, 楊貞慧
• Other Authors: Chien-Hung Tung
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/43z85b

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 景觀與遊憩碩士學位學程 === 100 === 　　In the 1980s, the government introduced transnational labor from Southeast Asia for 14 major project. And by the late 1980s in Taiwan, there occurred wage rising and therefore increased the cost of production for many business due to the labor shortage. At the same time, in order to reduce the cost, some manufacturers began to move to Southeast Asia countries, such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines and other countries, because of their labor-abundance and low wages. Besides the above reasons, Taiwanese workers do not want to do risk or laborious works, therefore, the construction industry was the first one to introduce transnational labor. Since then, transnational labor in Taiwan is divided in two different working types: one engaged in construction, fishing and special laborious; the other one work for domestics, solely on the care of the elderly and persons with disabilities. 　　Long-term stay of transnational labors not only changed the landscape of the host country, but also created a numerous of real and virtual international spaces. Through the capital flows, information and transnational networks of technology, Taiwan cities have developed the varied types of commercial spaces for transnational labors, and also promoted international contact. Even though people could cross geographical boundaries but they can’t resist the prejudice of nationalism and other invisible social barriers. 　　The study takes the Taichung First Square as the study area, to observe the changes of business type and urban landscape after transnational labors gathered there, such as transformation of business or close down of local business, etc. These rising Southeast Asia business rekindled the Taichung First Square. Unlike the mainstream culture promoted by state forces, there is a new consumer heterotopias emerging- an urban landscape whose growth provides a new gathered community for transnational labors and local economy with more energy and influence.