mecanoo turns taichung railway line into 1.7km lengthy inexperienced hall

an urban intervention to connect taichung

mecanoo has transformed an existing dyke and former railway track in downtown taichung, taiwan, into a 1.7km long linear park. the new ‘people-oriented’ urban space is designed to connect different parts of the city and complement the river’s waterfront. the program features a herb garden, street fitness facilities, a tribune, a playground, a viewpoint, and a waterpark.

images © ethan lee

mecanoo’s design considerations

during the design process, the architects considered 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.

one key consideration was the railway’s historical value. mecanoo organized the new circulation layout according to the track pattern of the former train junction to maintain the area’s strong historical character and set a coherent, recognizable theme for the project. based on the visual language of the railway infrastructure, the routes branch out to integrate the existing and future planned functions.

a green corridor for all

the green corridor is defined as a continuous public park in the center of the city, which will support the conservation and development of the area’s flora and fauna while improving the connections for pedestrians and bike users in taichung center. the project integrates existing and newly added functions to the area into a coherent linear park.

the green corridor is a destination for all and invites users to explore and enjoy the green qualities of the park. its urban location makes it an ideal place for leisure and recreational activities. the park is designed to intensify the use of the area for the local and wider taichung community while promoting a more coherent city infrastructure.

see designboom’s previous coverage of taichung green corridor here.