Neigou River Ecological Trail Introduction
Neigou Stream is a tributary of the Keelung River, with a total length of about 5.5 kilometers and a drainage area of approximately 7 square kilometers. The western side of Neigou Stream belongs to Taipei City, while the eastern side belongs to New Taipei City, making it an ideal place for residents of the Donghu area to walk, relax, and chat. It is also the best location in Donghu to get close to nature. Starting from 2013, a comprehensive landscape renovation was carried out along the middle section of Neigou Stream in Donghu, extending nearly 1 kilometer of water-friendly walking path from the upstream. Through the installation of scenic bridges and waterfront paths, it connects the leisure route between Taipei and New Taipei cities, which were originally separated by Neigou Stream. The project also involved clearing accumulated soil while restoring the water environment of Wufenbi, creating ecological habitats of varying depths. It is designed as an ecological education space that allows people to experience nature, with accessibility for both day and night use. The aim is to enhance residents' willingness to connect and engage with the area, leading to a better understanding, appreciation, and collaborative conservation efforts. It also aims to recreate the beautiful memories of the local elders. The project focuses on four main aspects: 1. Unique creativity and restoration of the past natural and cultural living environment are emphasized in the overall engineering structure and design, primarily using lightweight materials that incorporate the desired landscape style of Jiangnan gardens, respecting and integrating with the natural environment of Neigou Stream while considering the aesthetic of flood control engineering structures. 2. Retaining and improving existing waterfront green corridors and enhancing greening opportunities on top of the embankments, thus adding ecological richness and expansion of greenery. 3. Priority is given to the safety of the bank while still paying attention to the preservation and improvement of natural ecology, with the overall design conforming to the existing bank slope and topography to avoid excessive excavation and disturbance of the ecosystem. 4. Energy conservation, carbon reduction, and sustainable development are considered in the demand for energy efficiency, with low-intensity lighting main for the waterfront, ensuring safe illumination for night-time walkers, and the scenic bridges connecting the two cities are planned with lighting to create a starry waterfront effect. (Some data source: Public Works Department, Taipei City Government)
