The 2020 USR pilot program “Taking Root in Zhonghezhun--HHUT Collaborations with Nanshejiao Community PLUS ” from the Hwa Hsia University of Technology centers on the deepening practice objectives of 3 major issues – “culture,” “space,” and “environment.” Our previous program was used as a foundation to continue the promotion of courses in human history, natural geography, and the cooperation between industry, government, and academia in Zhonghe. We hope to continue our deep involvement with the local Nanshijiao community using the district’s network while protecting our school’s mountains, and building capacity through innovative courses and cultural spaces. By exploring and making connections, we aim to fully support the work of integrating the University’s resources while raising awareness and recognition of the University and local community from the inside out.
1. Gather and construct memory data of the “Heart of New Taipei ”: With cultural exploration, storytelling, and community learning being the main objectives, the construction of historical records and activities serve as the University’s platform to practice social responsibility.
(1) Immigration history is shared by linking the social involvement of Burmese and Southwest China immigrant families with the historical value of these families and individuals to achieve the triggering of a sense of perspective in order to preserve and pass on history.
(2) In an attempt to build a progressive learning structure that aims to understand the localogy of Zhonghe, we hope to explore the possibility of community city development transformation while at the same time connecting with local communities using various activities and the curation of exhibitions through teaching activities and using school campuses, communities, or cities as venues.
(3) This program is intended to gradually build a historical memory bank of “Heart of New Taipei” while deepening the power of local stories. A virtual celebrity will also be created for reporting on the cultural records and activities of the Burmese and Southwest China communities.
2. “Hand in hand,” we protect the wild nature trails of the countryside: The topography of the mountains and streams spanning the Xindian River and Nanshijiao Mountain is a wonderful geographical feature of Zhonghe. Among the scenic trails near the city, the hillside trail, in particular, is one of the few remaining that needs to be preserved and protected.
(1) From the survey results of the previous program, short, medium, and long-term strategies were proposed for the protection of nature trails in Zhonghe – and a sense of recognition in the community can be formed through continual and regular trail maintenance projects. With the integration of the local community school network, a local protection system can be built, enabling residents to have not only healthy recreational areas but at the same time prevent destruction in the countryside, allowing gradual restoration of the natural ecology within the area.
(2) We continue to adopt school mountains while raising awareness of nature trails among teachers and students and participate in the countryside protection programs. Through the introduction of the “use your hands” maintenance model, the energy for the promotion of environmental education in the countryside is gradually accumulated.
3. Community Spaces and Smart City
(1) We explore the five major water systems that have been deeply buried under Zhonghe and Yonghe District in order to understand both the history and the current condition of the city and use them as a reference for cultural and ecological space programs.
(2) Through a series of city walk workshops, participants are led around the city discussing the walking environment and what improvements can be made from the perspectives of daily life and history as well as coming up with suggestions for walking routes.
(3) A half / all day plan is made connecting Nanshijiao MRT Station – Xingnan Night Market – Zhongxiao Street – Myanmar Street – Lane 109, Huaxin Street – Hongludi Hiking Trail. Digital maps have also been created.
(4) The innovation of the old spaces and the surrounding facilities are recreated via linking old buildings and spaces to the history of the district.
This program is primarily to continue the 4 major implementation strategies of USR Phase 1. The project begins at the University, extends to Nanshijiao district, and ends in Zhonghe (Zhonghe District and Yonghe District). The program is a cycle of action and the basis for the implementation is explanation (courses and empowerment), field inspection (observe and research), and mapping (deepen and present) to achieve the objective of sharing (promote and brainstorm), and action (care and improvement). The resources of the University and local communities are integrated to reach the goal of participatory learning for teachers, students, and residents which include: Central Geological Survey, MOEA, Zhonghe District Office, Zhonghe History Research Association, Myanmar Overseas Chinese Association, Hunglodei Nanshan Fude Temple, and Yuantong Temple; we have also cooperated with partners including Brilliant Time: Southeast theme bookstore and Texas Instruments (Xingnan Factory) who have been deeply involved in Southeast Asia immigration issues in recent years.