IN-PERSON Lisbon Livable Cities. Section A
Abstract
In response to population aging and labor shortages, Taiwan has increasingly relied on migrant workers. As their numbers grow, certain urban areas have gradually transformed into exclusive territorial spaces for migrant communities. Lacking formal spatial planning, these communities organically create informal spaces, which often result in spatial tensions with local users. This study aims to investigate the emergence of such spaces and through the lens of inclusive design, examine the emotional bonds and spatial preferences of migrant workers. It also explores how public spaces foster coexistence between diverse user groups, developing spatial strategies for cultural integration. Focusing on the Herb Alley in Taichung’s old city center, the study draws on urban public space theories, including The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces and Pedestrian- & Transit-Oriented Design. It is directed at the weekend activities of migrant workers to assesses the needs of community and spatial behaviors through participatory observation and semi-structured questionnaires. Findings indicate that the informal spaces in Herb Alley are expressions of the migrant community’s daily life and culture. The street block requires sufficient flexibility to accommodate such informal spaces, allowing for the formation of their own cultural communities. There is also an overlap between the informal spaces of local residents and migrant workers. By understanding both groups’ preferences and lifestyles, this study discusses how to develop culturally inclusive spatial strategies. This research contributes to a framework that balances physical planning with socio-cultural demands, emphasizing inclusive design in future urban and public space development.
Ji-Tao Li: I am an architecture student in Taiwan. I won 2nd place in an international competition through discussing migrant workers in Japan, and in the National Housing And Urban Regeneration competition, joined exchange programs and the VanCollar workshop in Japan, now participating in the Landscape Lab Exchange Program. These experiences fueled my passion for exploring issues of urban design and spatial transformation. My research explores how migrant-workers reshape Taichung’s Herb Alley, uncovering socio-spatial dynamics and regional imagery to develop strategies for cultural inclusion.
Dr. Chuang-Hung Lin is an associate professor at the Department of Architecture of the National United University, Taiwan. She received her PhD from the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at the National Taiwan University. With an architect qualification and having accumulated many years of interdisciplinary research on landscape and architecture. Dr. Lin’s research interests span microclimate and landscape design, sustainable campus planning and design, and greenery policy in built environments. Her dedication to public service and practical application of knowledge is further demonstrated in her assistance to numerous rural primary schools in sustainability-focused renovation projects, which have been recognized with awards.
I am Chun-Cheng Su, a student in the Department of Architecture at National United University in Taiwan. I am currently engaged in a specialized architectural research project and have presented my work at academic conference. I am especially interested in the integration of edible landscapes into architectural design, focusing on how the built environment can interact with ecological systems. By combining sustainability, urban agriculture, and spatial planning, I aim to explore innovative design strategies that support community well-being, environmental resilience, and food security within urban and rural architectural contexts.
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Thursday 10th July, 2025