Back to the basics to create something even better: The North Gate redevelopment project
It always makes me happy whenever I can write about green urban development projects, especially when the goal is to turn urban highways and major roads into public spaces where people can walk, bike, enjoy their coffee or beer and talk under the trees. Well, seems like that this is happening now in Taipei with the North Gate Pedestrian Zone (West District Portal) Project, where the area around the Taipei North Gate is being redesigned and rebuilt. The North Gate project is part of a bigger urban redevelopment program which aims to modernize the Western part of Taipei that used to be the commercial, economic and cultural center, but it lost its importance in the last few decades due to the Eastern expansion of the city.
The first real big changes around the area started two years ago, when the elevated Zhongxiao Expressway, that was located next to the North Gate, was demolished. It was necessary not just because it was one of the reasons for increased noise and pollution due to the high traffic volume on it, but also because the elevated road could damage the historical building of the North Gate. The way of thinking about urban development and transportation engineering also changed since the 1970s (when the expressway was built), and this change was also in favor of the demolition of the elevated road. 30-40 years ago engineers and urban planners wanted to solve the traffic problems by building bigger and wider roads, however it proved to be a wrong direction. As more roads were built, thus driving car became more convenient, the roads acted like a magnet for private vehicles. Extra lanes and roads created even bigger traffic jams, while they also took the space away from pedestrians, cyclists and public transportation. Luckily in the last 15-20 years this way of thinking started to change and nowadays there is more focus on minimizing the area given for private vehicles, create enough space for other modes of transportation, such as cyclists and transit as well as for pedestrians with cozy public spaces and green sections in order to build a more livable environment.
The following pictures show how the North Gate area looks like with and without the elevated Zhongxiao Expressway. The first picture was taken in the 1970's after the expressway was opened. The second picture was taken two years ago by me, during the demolition of the Zhongxiao elevated road. Because the project has not finished yet, therefore the third picture only shows the current construction sight and the fourth one refers to the actual design in the near future:
It can be seen from the pictures that the project is more than just the removal of an elevated road in the city center. They are actually creating a new urban space and small park around the old gate. People will be finally able to visit one of Taipei's historic sight, walk around or sit down by the building without being bothered by cars or scooters. There will be more space for pedestrians and cyclists and as people will begin to come and gather here it will hopefully also help to boost the business opportunity of the stores and restaurants around it. And of course the new trees will also help to clean more air in the city center. Across the gate the city also renovated the old building of the Taiwan Railway (TRA), which will serve as a railway museum in the future. The building might be familiar only for the older generation, as it was hidden for the last few decades behind an iron shed. Hopefully they will also modernize the old factory buildings behind the TRA-house, and turn them into a cultural or art center.
Luckily the project goes even beyond that area as the roads, bus stops and public spaces are also being renovated around Taipei Main Station which is only a few block away from the North Gate. A few month ago they opened the new bus station and park, called Taipei Travel Plaza, which aims to provide a more convenient space to wait and transfer to the city buses and it also helped to ease the congestion at the previous stop in front of the railway station. They also widened the sidewalk around the station, however it was a bit disappointing to see that no trees were put by the road, even though it was shown in the project plans. The new bus stops in front of Taipei Main Station are also lack of any bus shelter or trees, which might be also necessary in the future.
And there are even more plans for the future, which could turn the Taipei Main Station and North Gate area into a more livable place. According to the plans the traffic on one of the main streets, called Guangqian Road (館前路) between the Taiwan History Museum and Taipei Main Station will be reduced by widening the sidewalks, and creating bike lanes and planting new trees. Furthermore, the traffic on the West side of the Main Station will be completely banned, which will result that the Taipei Travel Plaza will be connected with the area in front of the railway station, creating one big pedestrian area and green corridor. Later this corridor will be further extended towards a riverside by renovating the TRA's old worker's village. Based on the development plans, two skyscrapers will be built right above the Taoyuan MRT station next to the main railway station, however it is currently unknown when this project could begin or whether the towers will be even built due to financial and political reasons. To be honest I am not even sure if the two huge buildings will be good for the area or it would be better if it just remains as open and green space as it is now. But I am definitely happy to see that through the redevelopment projects the city is getting a much more livable place. I hope this is just the beginning.
