In attempt to find solutions to Taipei River Urbanism, we will look into existing river urbanisms all around the world to find out how other cities are coping with varying water issues. As a starting point I began thinking of the places I have recently visited: Amsterdam (NL) and Berlin (GER).
Both cities have different problems regarding water. Somewhat ¼ of the Netherlands is below sea level, but still they have succesfully managed to build metropolis such as Amsterdam on soaking land. The Dutch know-how of construction methods and controlling the ocean and danger of flooding astonishes me. I heard that water pumps are active 24 hours a day to keep the ocean away and drain the land.
In Berlin, the problems with the river are more or less political. The public are fighting in opposition against Mediaspree, a large German property investor and one of the largest urban renewal projects in Germany. Mediaspree is a developement project that would demolish most of the old industrial riverside (ex-GDR heritage) of Eastern Berlin to make space for new corporate offices, hotels and high-profile housing. According to critics, the project would inevitably cause an increase in costs for long-term residents, a cultural change and loss of cultural diversity.
I think there is a great lesson to be learned from both case studies. Despite their problems, both Amsterdam and Berlin value their water nature and use it for a wide range of recreational activities. One of the most interesting uses was that of the river Spree in Berlin. ”Arena Badeschiff” is a floating swimming pool created from a recycled river cargo container that floats on the river. It is covered with tarpaulin during winter and used all around the year as a public bath. Similar interesting recreational activities could be introduced to the people of Taipei in our visionary plan.
by Emmi
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