The art of calligraphy and the play of a brush dancing on a bamboo scroll inspired our urban planners and designers to create the Taichung Calligraphy Greenway as a sustainable urban open space system that integrates with its natural environment, the communities and the local economy.
The Calligraphy Greenway is a portion of the Taichung Greenbelt, which functions as an extensive layout that connects a series of linear parks, scenic attractions, school campuses and other open spaces in the city. It also creates a critical junction and buffer zone between the old and re-planned districts. From the National Science Museum to the National Art Museum, it stretches 3.6 kilometers through the urban fabric and creates a 6.5-hectare open space.
After the City of Taichung was awarded as the “World’s Best Cultural and Arts City” by the World Leadership Forum in 2007, the city embarked on an agenda to revitalize the existing 3-kilometer pedestrian greenbelt, rejuvenate the city and attract local and international tourists. The regeneration project incorporates innovation, sustainability, recreation and leisure and entertainment, and reconnects the greenbelt to the lifestyle of its adjacent communities.
The Calligraphy Greenway has dramatically promoted retail activities and increased the value of adjacent properties, improving the tax base and desirability of the area. It also attracts many local residents to experience the expressive aesthetic design and cultural atmosphere of the park. It has become a place for city activities and performances, and a part of people’s lives.