Civilization grows cities; actually, cities are part of civilization. Therefore, it is easy to understand why townscape always consists of cultural and historical events. Taiwan has been through three phases of transition of its social framework, from agricultural development to an industrial society, and finally becoming a postindustrial nation today. This has influenced the urban system and construction of cities. Industrial development has had a great impact in Taiwanese urban development. It has not only brought opportunities of employment and investment but also speeded up migration of agricultural labor to urban areas. This phenomenon promotes urban development and expansion. At the present time, most people are concentrated in Taipei and Kaohshiung, because of economic activity and associated infrastructure which includes seaborne trade, air transportation and roadways. Both cities provide more occupations for inhabitants, causing high density.
The modern western expansion of Taipei, operating under relatively laissez-faire, market-driven controls, has solidified into a patchwork of specific residential and commercial developments and precincts, with density and scale varying largely according to intra-city location and transportation accessibility, as happens elsewhere in modern urban expansions. (Peter. 2005, 103)
Turning to urban morphology, architecture modes have changed from town-houses to apartment buildings and skyscrapers. Since the 1970s, apartments and tall buildings have occupied the cities. This increased freedom but was accompanied by estranged relationships between people. Limited space leaves only one option: the townscape grows up as high as it can and blocks the sky. People care about nothing but the interior size of their home. The high-rise buildings solve this problem in the inner cities. On the other hand, urbanism has become collective in style and explored further open space for activities. It also has separated family living space and working space. Hence the peri-inner cities have been exploited by local Government, usually depending on tourism to support their income. There is different industrial development between inner cities and rural areas but all result from similar economic effects. Moreover, in order to develop tourism in the countryside; they have to maintain the natural scenery and original environment. To create ideal communities, appropriate agreement needs to be arrived at between local government and residents.
Industrial land allocation has been amended since transformations of social development. Local governments legislates rules to restrict land use to sustain urban quality. New industrial areas are usually sited in peri-inner cities to avoid population boom. Further, due to urban renewal in Taipei, several void industrial spaces have been branded new centres for leisure, art and cultural pursuits. (http://
www.plan ning.taipei.gov.tw/ )
According to the Department of Urban Development, Taipei City Government has recently adopted the “Taipei Technological Corridor” which is a recent plan to promote industrial development, and combines lives, ecology and production. As we know, economic progress is a major target for developing countries. Therefore, Government not only propels urban plans but also has to consider commercial benefits. In this planning, it focuses on legislation of land use restriction and architecture management. (http://
www.plan ning.taipei.gov.tw/ )
Additionally, Government provides new dwelling plans and transforms public housing, further encouraging “Community Development” and creating a healthy environment. (http://
www.planning.taipei.gov.tw/ ) This is a concentration of community and supplies suitable living space. Utilizing international exchange and regional cooperation bring new ideas to push Taiwan toward further internationalization.
Urban plans are based on improvement of industry and business. The aim is to promote industry, economy and internationalization in Taiwan. Nevertheless, the inner cities are trading centers and have to contain a satisfying environment for citizens living as well. For instance, high-rise buildings can be provided in appropriate areas, but car parking space is still an issue in most cities. Various public transportation systems have been constructed but traffic gridlock still occurs all the time in Taipei. Crime is also a serious problem in high density cities since constructions are highly concentrated and lack complete urban schemes. Obviously, rapid development of commerce and society do not only bring advantages. Government must regard these matters objectively.
