Journal

"We don't need to compare Warehouse No. 2 with any department store. The priority is to define its unique character, prove that heritage can be good business, and build a localized economy that is authentically Kaohsiung's." Kaohsiung Harbor, built during Japanese rule period, has seen Taiwan's sugar boom, post-war industrial prosperity, and 1980s decline. Today, it is part of a global movement to transform old ports, using heritage regeneration to restore the city's coastal identity.

"We plan to phase in surrounding residents, local craftspeople, and young partners into the school-led revitalized space, creating a sustainable model co-built by students, community, and Qijin's next generation." Professor Li I-chih admits the restoration and revitalization of the Technician Quarters was challenging. Today's strong local network was built through sustained effort and numerous projects, ultimately establishing a distinctive model of renewal for Qijin.

Behind its imposing walls, the Chiayi Old Prison complex has reinvented itself over the past decade, emerging as a dedicated center for wood-based industry and creativity. Seeking the roots of this local ecosystem, X-Basic Planning interviewed Yeh Che-yueh of Taiwan Field School. He described how his team, working on the margins of historic spaces, has woven the city’s historical and contemporary fabrics into a cohesive new whole.

"An old house tells its own story. Even if you do nothing but safeguard its memories, that alone can move people deeply." Looking back at the revitalization of Xinhua Old Street, CEO Su Wan-t'ing offers a broader perspective, suggesting that the key to local regeneration lies in finding contemporary roles for old houses and meeting the functional needs of surrounding neighborhoods, thereby building a practical operational model that integrates cultural atmosphere with commercial value.

"After years away, many young people feel like guests in their own hometowns, while the next generation lacks any genuine lived connection to the land." So, we started restoring the vacant rooms in the historic house. This provides a comfortable place for the Huang descendants to stay and serves as a way for them to reconnect with their heritage." Mr. Huang Ming-chih's tone, as he describes the purpose of restoring the historic house, reveals a deep desire to sustain the emotional ties between his family and their land.

In 2024, in response to the invitation of the Beipu Township Office, Professor Wu Zhen-ting from the Department of Landscape Architecture, Chung Yuan Christian University and X-Basic Planning undertook fieldwork in the Beipu settlement. Starting with the assessment of old houses for potential reuse, his team attempted to realize residents' living aspirations while also infusing contemporary vitality into the old settlement through these historical spaces. The 'Reimagining Beipu Old Settlement' series of training courses unfolds in this context.

Professor Wu Chen-ting from the Department of Landscape Architecture, Chung Yuan Christian University and X-Base Planning delve into the Beipu settlement to explore the possibilities presented by old houses and community prosperity. They first selected five old houses with revitalization potential from the settlement preservation area. While restoring the physical spaces, they also attempted to imbue them with public accessibility and openness, making these old houses windows for dialogue between contemporary life and repositories of historical memories. Furthermore, under the theme 'Reimagining Beipu's Old Settlement,' they planned two training courses focusing on 'Management of Old Houses' and 'Management of Local Communities.'