| S.H.E city |
Home>Discover Kaohsiung>S.H.E cityAlthough globalisation can impose radical changes upon a city, it must develop at a pace that is in-line with the demand of development. This will contribute to allowing the citizens to maintain their way of life as well as allow for the natural improvement of the industrial, economic, and transportation sectors. Just as the Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century focused on developing the metropolis, Kaohsiung has also experienced a similar focus by improving the public transportation system, hence providing the opportunity for citizens to live further away from the city center given the added convenience of commuting each day. Furthermore, improvements in technology, such as the cellular phone and Internet, have changed the way people communicate. An ideal city in the 21st century would be one that achieves harmony between the environment and industrial development, remembering that both are vital for a desirable living environment.
A citizen’s happiness and peace-of-mind can be enhanced by knowing that they are safe and secure within their job. Therefore, striving for a low unemployment rate within a city is a worthy goal. Adding to this happiness is the ability to utilize the environment that’s available when not at work. In order to bring this dream into fruition, a solid and reliable transportation system is necessary. However, this is not just a dream as the process of achieving this goal is in rapid progress. In just a couple of decades, Kaohsiung has been transformed from an undeveloped fishing village into a thriving industrial city, with the future intention of continuing to develop the natural aspects of the city, especially the rivers. S.H.E. (safe, healthy, ecological) is the concept behind the development plans for the future of the city.
The concept of “a S.H.E. city” took into account the safety and health values of the people, whilst also considering the protection of nature (ecological). This concept aims at developing a city which allows for the harmonious existence of humans (of all cultures and religions) and nature.
The need to feel safe is an essential quality for human survival. With this in mind, amongst the most pressing goals are to develop whatever preventative measures possible against natural disasters, so as to maintain public order.
Maintaining public order within a city is a key point in developing trust between the citizens and the government. Beyond the police force, the municipal office carries out numerous projects to maintain the safety and security of the citizens.; including “citizens caring for public areas”, “assisting police in conducting public affairs”, “reporting incidents through MSN”, “checking on residents”, “registered permanent address investigation project”.
More specifically, the work of the municipal office in ensuring the safety of the citizens involves the running of routine safety drills for emergency situations such as typhoons and earthquakes. Furthermore, routine health examinations of public places are conducted and systems for identifying hazardous work environments are implemented. The goals of the Foundation of Public Health and the emergency medical network are to improve the safety of the living environment so as to promote wellbeing, and avoid suffering.
A healthy city means a place where residents can live in peace and safety.
A healthy city is more than just creating gymnasiums for people to exercise. An environment with clean air and water serves to decrease the pressure on the mind and body.
Exercise results in a healthy body and mind. This concept will be encouraged throughout Taiwan as international sporting events will be held on the island up until the 2009 World Games.
The World Games includes up to thirty different sports including power lifting, bowling, skating, tchouk, dragon boat racing, rock climbing, tug-of-war, and rhythmic gymnastics. The plan to encourage health and fitness in Kaohsiung will continue to happen as a gradual process, of which it began with the hosting of the 2005 World Pool Championships in July, 2005.
The 2005 World Pool Championship was won by a Kaohsiung local, Wu Chia Chin, who was also the youngest boy in the competition. His victory has served to popularise the sport in Kaohsiung. Another popular sport in Taiwan is baseball which, unfortunately, was recently removed from the Olympic list of sports. Therefore, Mayor Chen Chi Mai has issued a statement to allow baseball and softball to be played in the 2009 Kaohsiung World Games.
A push to transform certain cement-surfaced areas into wetland regions has led to an increase in native flora and fauna and has offered people a nice contrast to the busy concrete metropolis.
Kaohsiung has changed dramatically in its terrain and infrastructure throughout the last decade of development. So much so that the current generation are seeking a healthier alternative and the answer lies in striking a balance between sustainable operation and urban development.This balance would ideally result in a city that is surrounded by greenery, allowing people a place to rest and take in the fresh air.
In recent years, the development of an efficient sewerage system has increased the water stores in inland Kaohsiung. Furthermore, more greenery has been planted which has proven to have a positive effect on maintaining reservoir levels at Benheli in Sanmin District. Not only does the added greenery serve to benefit the environment, but it also makes for nice scenery stretching from Lotus Lake to the coast, Zhouzil Wetland Park, the future Banpin Lake, and Neiweipi Cultural Park to Chaishan. Making good use of the available research on ecology is another focal point of Mayor Chen in developing Kaohsiung as a “S.H.E. City” (safe, healthy, ecological).
