Taipei City Government

Implemented by the New Construction Office of the Public Works Department (NCO) on behalf of the Department of Urban Development (UDD), the Yanping South Road Street Block Revamping Project is one of the sub-projects of the West District Gateway Project.

Starting from Beimen, the project includes endowing the existing sidewalks connecting the Futai Street Mansion to Zhongshan Hall in the south with historic and cultural meaning. The aim is to accentuate Beimen’s features and re-create a pedestrian-oriented space. The project not only takes into consideration past history and developments but also incorporates the needs of local borough chiefs and residents. By examining the overall transport system, the project has imbued the street block with unique characteristics as well as historic and cultural significance while allowing the sidewalk to cater more closely to the needs of local citizens. Throughout the planning process, the UDD has organized workshops to discuss different design solutions and reach a consensus with the public. As a result, sidewalks, plantations, street furniture, and other related facilities along Yanping South Road are all included in the design.

According to NCO Utilities Conduit Planning Section Chief Hung Wei-Tsung, the NT$20 million project encompasses the area between Beimen and Wuchang Street, expanding a total of 670 meters of sidewalks and laying down 1,122m2 of permeable paving. The Beimen-Kaifeng Street section has already been completed, and the Kaifeng Street – Wuchang Street section is slated for completion by December. Considering the overall integrity of the sidewalk pavement and Beimen Plaza, grey permeable bricks are utilized to accentuate the historic and cultural walking environment. Smart streetlights inspired by urban aesthetics and elements of history and culture are complemented by the enframed scenery technique to capture Beimen’s sceneries in a “frame,” thereby creating a fusion of the old and the new. Yellow rumble strips are installed in front of the Futai Street Mansion to remind drivers to stay vigilant, slow down, and yield to pedestrians in order to increase pedestrian safety.

NCO Public Works Section West District Project Supervision Office Director Shen Ssu-Kai commented that while conducting excavating operations for the project, the construction crew unearthed stones to the city’s old stone wall and immediately implemented in situ preservation, where 2 exhibition spots are established on the sidewalk across the Futai Street Mansion for the sake of showcasing the city’s old stone wall and ditch. Words and illustrations on the cast iron lid describe the design and development of Taipei’s sewerage system during the Japanese occupation period for the public’s reference, so that people may understand the sewerage systems constructed during the Japanese occupation period and appreciate the magnificence of discovering the ancient relic.

Guangfu Borough Chief Wang Li-Mei pointed out that after the Yanping South Road (Beimen to Wuchang Street) project was completed and the sidewalks and roads have become more even, while the expanded width of the sidewalk offers pedestrians more safety when walking on the sidewalks. She also thanked the NCO for providing citizens with flat roads. Yanping South Road is home to many storefronts; therefore, the NCO will expedite the construction process in an effort to minimize the project’s impact on the stores, residents, and traffic.

Currently, pedestrian zones have been created along Huayin Street, Ximen, and Yuenling Street. After the Yanping South Road Street Block Revamping Project is completed, all existing pedestrian zones will be consolidated with Beimen as the center to re-create a pedestrian-oriented walking space that brings together the history and cultural ambiance of nearby historic monuments.