Taipei Sugar Factory Cultural Park Introduction
Historical Overview: Sugar production records began in northern Changhua, Taiwan, in 1764 (the 29th year of the Qianlong reign). During the Qing Dynasty, the area near Dali Street in Wanhua was characterized by private sugar warehouses and widespread sugar cane cultivation. During the Japanese colonial period, the establishment of the Taipei Sugar Manufacturing Company led to significant landscape changes, transforming the area into an industrial zone dominated by sugar factories and transportation tracks, with surrounding residents relying heavily on the sugar industry or related sectors for their livelihoods. After the restoration of Taiwan, urban planning continued the concept of mixed-use land from the Japanese era, designating the area as an industrial zone. Shortly after the Taiwan Sugar Corporation took over the sugar factories, sugar production ceased and storage was prioritized, but related industries such as chemicals, food processing, and paper products continued to thrive in nearby small and medium-sized factories. In the 1940s, the predecessor of the China Times, "Zhengxin News," took over the Taiwan Sugar warehouse to launch news pages, attracting the concentration of the nearby printing industry. From the 1960s to 1970s, the convenience of railway transportation attracted garment wholesalers. Throughout the development history of Taipei, the area around Dali Street has consistently played a productive role. In recent years, as the industrial environment changed and urban development moved eastward, the once-prosperous "Huiesuiwei" community and industrial landscape gradually declined. Environmental quality deteriorated due to population concentration and dense construction, and public facilities struggled to meet residents' living needs, making it increasingly marginal in urban development. The residents of the Dali Street community have protested against the establishment of nursing homes and fought for neighborhood parks, preserving the northernmost remnants of sugar production in Taiwan at the Taipei Sugar Factory. The historic warehouse, characterized by red brick construction, arches, trapezoidal columns, and large-span structures, was designated as a municipal historic site No. 106 on September 23, 2003. The vision for the future includes three designated historic sugar warehouses A, B, and C, located on Dali Street in Wanhua District, covering an area of about 1.092 hectares, including C1 block (Gong Er Park) and C2 block. In the C1 area, aside from the main historic site, the remaining areas currently serve as parks and an underground parking lot. After years of effort, the preservation of the sugar warehouse historic site and the acquisition of park land free of charge have led the Cultural Bureau to seek central government funds to expand repair budgets. Since the opening of the Taipei Sugar Cultural Park, the three designated historic warehouses of the Taiwan Sugar Corporation have been planned for use as a sugar industry cultural exhibition hall (Warehouse A), Wanzao Theater (Warehouse B), and as a space for private entities provided by the Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Warehouse C). The sugar industry cultural exhibition hall, operated by the Bureau, features a permanent exhibition titled "Sugar Warehouse Opening," focusing on the development of the sugar industry in northern Taiwan. It utilizes participatory workshops for collective creations, including historical documentation, oral history interviews, and creative workshops, providing artists with materials to complete their works. The Bureau also effectively utilizes community resources by recruiting a volunteer team to assist with exhibition services and guided tours, becoming an important local educational venue since its opening. The reuse plan for Warehouse A includes a special exhibition on the cultural significance of preserving the sugar warehouse, introducing the historical stories of the Taipei Sugar Factory and the trajectory of industrial development in the western part of the city, as well as a sugar craft classroom, open for cultural and diverse community activities. Operated by the Cultural Bureau, it is free for public access. Warehouse B is occupied by the theater, which organizes its programs and professional curation while also allowing performing arts groups to rent the space, cultivating local audiences in Wanhua and collaborating with schools and social organizations to promote performing arts. By hosting the Mengjia International Dance Festival and the Wanzao Theater Arts Residency Program, it connects domestic and international resources, showcasing a rich and diverse performing arts ecosystem in the Taipei Sugar Cultural Park. (Source: Taipei City Cultural Bureau)
