VIRTUAL Manchester Livable Cities
Abstract
This study adopts the “Folded City” concept developed by Japanese scholar Shin Aiba as its theoretical foundation to construct an analytical framework for understanding the complexity of urban space in Taiwan. In the early phase of the research, seven types of urban folds were identified—temporal, vertical, memory, perceptual, institutional, informal, and cultural—revealing how high density, mixed land-use patterns, multiethnic composition, and porous institutional boundaries shape the multilayered spatial conditions of New Taipei City. Among these, the present study focuses on informal folds, examining people experiencing homelessness as the primary subjects. The research is motivated by the planned closure and reconstruction of Taipei Bangka Park in 2025, which will displace the long-standing homeless community there. Preliminary field observations indicate that some individuals have begun relocating to the adjacent Banqiao District, gradually reconstructing their survival strategies around Banqiao Station. Methodologically, the study integrates qualitative and quantitative tools, including field observation, behavior mapping, spatial measurements, and user-position logging. These methods enable the development of quantitative indicators for evaluating the intensity of informal folds and culminate in the production of an “Informal Fold Hotspot Map,” visualizing the spatial distribution and intensity of homeless activity around Banqiao Station. The study aims to establish a replicable method for analyzing informal urban space, extend the operational applicability of Folded City theory in Taiwan, and provide a more precise spatial understanding of homelessness to inform governance strategies and public facility planning.
Chun-Hao Kuo is a student in Architecture at National United University, Taiwan. His academic interests center on everyday spatial practices, urban form, and the interpretive relationship between human behavior and the built environment. He approaches architecture as a critical inquiry into lived experience, emphasizing spatial narratives rather than purely formal composition.
Chuang-Hung Lin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture at National United University, Taiwan. Her research focuses on landscape architecture, micro-climate and ecological environment studies, architectural design, and building regulations. She is dedicated to integrating environmental analysis with spatial planning to advance sustainable architectural practice.