Safe Lives: Dealing with Earthquakes by open space in Taipei, Taiwan\u2028

Abstract

Taiwan is located in the Circum-Pacific Seismic Zone; therefore, this island nation is destined to encounter recurrent cataclysmic earthquakes as what has been witnessed in the previous centuries. Taipei City, which is recognized as the most populous and densest city of Taiwan, has a series of push factors which lead herself standing with massive quakes. Besides, with old buildings, disordered urban pattern and lack of open space not only makes the city expose in an extremely dangerous situation but an uncomfortable living environment. Based on the descriptions above, the research objective of this thesis is focused on the following main question: “What are the landscape interventions that can create a safe and livable city?” As a result, in this thesis, it is mainly developed into two layers, emergency and living quality layers, and then combine them as a complete landscape design in Taipei for a safer and better living quality environment.Flowscapes StudioArchitecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Landscape Architectur