Developmental changes of the glass industry and the urban space in Hsinchu.

• Main Authors: Lee, Sih-Ying, 李思盈
• Other Authors: Lo, Shi-wei
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/13634984484882038703

碩士 === 東海大學 === 建築學系 === 102 === This study utilizes in-depth exploration of literature, field research and interviews to investigate the development of glass industry with accordance to changes in the spatial structure of Hsinchu. Research content is categorized into three time periods: the industrial city (after 1925), technological city (after 1980), and cultural creative city (beginning in 1990). The study further examines the rise and decline of glass industry in Hsinchu through exploration of geographical dependency between industry and urban spatial development. Development of an industry is, inevitably, closely influenced by political, social, economic, and transportation factors. During its industrial phase, the glass industry of Hsinchu mostly operated under original equipment manufacturing (OEM), domestic selling and exporting business models; mainly manufacturing products of daily use. With subsequent advent of light bulbs and glass crafting, the industry developed two major sub-categories of products; namely industrial glass and glass crafts. From its former site on Guangfu Road, the glass industry expanded, clustering beside the Guangfu Road and Zhonghua Road for ease of transportation. The establishment of Hsinchu Science and Technology Industrial Park jumpstarted the city’s technological phase and rapid development of east district. Due to increasing land values along the area of Guangfu Road, many factories were either forced to shut down or transfer to mainland China and Southeast Asia. The core of local economy shifted from traditional to hi-tech manufacturing. Technological advancement caused a paradigm shift and thus enabled a more diverse development in the glass industry. Those left in the business flocked towards Xiangshan district and peripheral areas of the city, where land values remained relatively low. Today, imprints of glass industry have spread all over Taiwan. In its current cultural creative phase, Hsinchu retains the advantage of technical expertise in glass crafting. To further the advancement and specialization of local industry, the government has established a glass museum and a cultural creative pavilion, while promoting related events and subsidiaries, expansion to overseas markets, technical exchange and industry-academic collaborations. Products and artworks crafted by glass are also highly visible on streets and in the local HSR station. The industry is further expanding along Nanliao and Qingcaohu areas in addition to the east and Xiangshan districts; inarguably making Hsinchu the definitive center of traditional glass industry in Taiwan.