Mecanoo has released plans for the Taichung Green Corridor in Taiwan, which will redevelope the 1.7km long former railway line crossing downtown Taichung. The project is expected to be an important catalyst for the development of the old city by addressing to the railway’s historical value in the revitalisation of the urban realm on which it sits.

The project, called Taichung Green Corridor, aims to improve sustainable life, with sustainable history & culture by creating biodiversity and including bike/pedestrian lanes to better cater for the needs of the community. The 1,7km long corridor will include the existing dyke, former railway track, into a linear park with herb garden, street fitness, tribune, playground, viewpoint and waterpark.

Mecanoo's proposal will reuse the rail line to connect the different parts of the city in a sustainable way by creating a green corridor. Within this linear site, the sustainable development covered a wide range of planning and design factors including urban regeneration, public participation, historic preservation, green and water resources, and circulation routes for pedestrians and bikes.

Relying on Mecanoo’s 30-years urban planning experience, the design will shape a people-oriented green corridor, complementing the Green River’s waterfront.

"Although in the past, the rail line was a mean of connection, the disused railway acts more as a divider due to its challenging location on the dyke, which impedes the circulation from one side of the tracks to the other," said Mecanoo.

Taking cues from the area’s strong historical character, the studio sets a coherent, recognisable theme for the project, the new circulation system layout relies on the junction railway track pattern. Based on the visual language of the railway infrastructure, the routes branch out to integrate the existent and future planned functions.

"We define the green corridor as a continuous public park in the centre of the city, which will support the conservation and development of the area’s flora and fauna and improve connections for pedestrians and bike users in Taichung centre, as well as integrating existing and newly added functions to the area into a coherent linear park," added the studio.

"The green corridor will become a destination and invite users to explore and enjoy the green qualities of the park. Based on different properties of the dyke, programmes such as herb garden, street fitness, tribune, playground, viewpoint and waterpark create an ideal place for leisure and recreation activities." 

"All the proposed programmes are designed to intensify the use of the area for the local and wider Taichung community while promoting a more coherent city infrastructure," detailed the studio.

Mecanoo will work with local landscape firm S.D Atelier on the project, alongside ARIA architect & planners. Construction is expected to be completed in 2019.

Project facts

Programme: Vision for the redevelopment of the 1.7km existing dyke, former railway track, into a linear park with herb garden, street fitness, tribune, playground, viewpoint and waterpark.
Design team: Mecanoo and local landscape firm S.D Atelier, ARIA architect & planners.
Design: 2017
Construction: 2018-2019
Client: Taichung City Government, Taichung, Taiwan.
Coordinates: 24.135644, 120.682360
Address: Jianguo Road, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan

All images © Mecanoo 

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