Cultural Heritage verus Economic Development

      Cultural heritage could coexist with economic development. In the case of Chung Hsing New Village, the entering of Central Science Park is faced both sides of support and opposite. The side of opposite states that it would destroy the landscape and the cultural heritages. While the other side states that the entering of Central Science Park could improve the decreasing economy due to the simplification of Taiwan Provincial Government. However, is it the only option to sacrifice historical heritage in order to develop economy?

       Actually, preservation of cultural heritage could improve economic development. Take the Taipei Water Park Museum for instance, in 1974 after the modern water supply facility was finished, the government of Taipei City were meant to dismantled the previous structure of Taipei Water Source Site to follow the urbanization project as the economy took off. Owing to the rising awareness of preservation of historical heritage in Taiwan, as well as the support provided by the president Lee Teng-Hui, endeavoring to preserve and renovate architectures and structures built during the Japanese colonial period, the Taiwan Water Corporation began to collect history data and pictures later used in renovation and establishment of the Museum of Taiwan Water Park in 1993. The total budget spent was nearly as much as constructing the new headquarter of the Taiwan Water Corporation, as the project started in the same year. But the result was unbelievably astonishing; the museum soon became a popular tour spot in Taiwan and draw hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world to visit this amazingly unique and beautiful Baroque architecture. And area around the museum are also well utilized and transform into a water park with fountains and playgrounds, bringing huge amount of added value to the museum.

Taipei Water Park Museum

  

    In summary, preservation of cultural heritage is not a big deal to condense the economic situation. On the contrary, with adequate maintenance and perhaps a couple of renovation, it could attract plenty of tourists. For Chung Hsing New Village, its complete and well-organized infrastructure layout already offers services such as Chung Hsing Conference Hall, which mimics the style of the U.S. presidential residence, White House, and was build by Taiwan Provincial Government in 1950s. Chung Hsing Conference Hall is a famous spot for soap opera filming and wedding shots. Also, it is surrounded by a children park, a library, a senior high school, a playground, and a supermarket. The perfect arrangement has provided a comfortable and refreshing area for the locals and tourist. Subsequently, the economy of Chung Hsing New Village gradually revives. Hence, preservation of cultural heritage in Chung Hsing New Village is a potential way to develop economy at the meantime.  

 Chung Hsing Conference Hall