Taipei Sugar Refinery Cultural Park

Brief History: Sugar production records in Taiwan began north of Changhua in 1764 (29th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign). During the Qing Dynasty, the area near Dali Street in Bangka (now Wanhua) was characterized by widespread private sugar mills and extensive sugarcane cultivation. After the establishment of the 'Taipei Sugar Manufacturing Co., Ltd.' during the Japanese colonial period, the landscape underwent a significant transformation, becoming an industrial area dominated by sugar factories and railway transportation tracks. Most surrounding residents relied on the sugar industry or related peripheral industries for their livelihood. After Taiwan's retrocession, urban planning adopted the concept of mixed land use from the Japanese era, designating the vicinity as an industrial zone. Shortly after the sugar factory was taken over by Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC), sugar production ceased, and it was converted for warehousing. However, related industries centered around the residual capacity of the sugar industry, such as chemical, petrochemical, food processing, and paper industries, continued to thrive with numerous small and medium-sized factories nearby. In the 1940s, 'Zhengxin News,' the predecessor of China Times, took over the TSC warehouses and began its newspaper printing operations, attracting a cluster of surrounding printing industries. From the 1960s and 1970s onwards, the convenience of railway transportation attracted garment wholesalers to the area. Throughout Taipei's development history, the area near Dali Street consistently played a production role. However, in recent years, with changes in the industrial environment and the eastward shift of urban development, the once prosperous 'Company Tail' (會社尾) living circle and industrial landscape gradually declined. The actual environmental quality also gradually deteriorated due to population concentration and intensive building construction. Public facilities were unable to serve the daily needs of residents, and the area gradually became a marginalized part of urban development. Following protests by Dali Street community residents against the establishment of a nursing home and their subsequent efforts to secure a neighborhood park, the Taipei Sugar Factory buildings, which represent Taiwan's northernmost sugar manufacturing remnants, were preserved. The main heritage warehouses are constructed from red bricks, featuring arches, trapezoidal columns, and large-span frameworks. On September 23, 2003 (Minguo 92), they were officially designated by the city as Historic Site No. 106. Vision and Future: The three city-designated historic sugar warehouses A, B, and C are located on Dali Street in Wanhua District, covering an area of approximately 1.092 hectares, encompassing Block C1 (Public Park No. 2) and Block C2. Within the C1 area, besides the historic structures themselves, the other parts currently serve as a park and an underground parking lot. After years of dedicated effort, the historic sugar warehouses were preserved, and the park land was acquired free of charge. The Department of Cultural Affairs continued to secure central government funding for expanded domestic demand for repairs. Following the restoration of the three historic sugar warehouses, since the opening and operation of the Taipei Sugar Refinery Cultural Park, the three city-designated historic Taiwan Sugar Corporation warehouses within the park have been planned for different uses: the Sugar Industry Culture Exhibition Hall (Sugar Mill Warehouse A), Wan Zuo Xiao Theater (Sugar Mill Warehouse B), and Warehouse C, which Taiwan Sugar Corporation provides for use by private organizations. Among these, the Sugar Industry Culture Exhibition Hall, operated directly by the Bureau, features the permanent exhibition 'Opening the Sugar Warehouse,' focusing on the development of the sugar industry in the northern region. It utilizes the collective creative output of participatory workshops, including historical data collection, oral history interviews, and participatory creative workshops, providing artists with a foundation for creating and installing their works. Leveraging community resident resources, a volunteer team was recruited to assist with exhibition services and guided tours. Since its opening, the park has become an important local education venue. The reuse plan for the historic sugar warehouses designates Warehouse A for the 'Opening the Sugar Warehouse' special exhibition on sugar industry culture, highlighting the significance of preserving the sugar warehouses. It introduces the historical narrative of the Taipei Sugar Factory and the trajectory of industrial development in the city's western district. It also includes a sugar arts classroom, open for use as a space for cultural and diverse community cultural activities. Managed by the Department of Cultural Affairs, it is open to the public free of charge. Sugar Mill Warehouse B is occupied by Xiao Theater, which, through self-produced programs and professional curation, also makes the space available for rental by performing arts groups. With Wanhua as its base, it aims to cultivate local audiences and collaborate with schools and community organizations to promote performing arts. Furthermore, by organizing events such as the Bangka International Dance Festival and the Xiao Theater Artist-in-Residence Program, it connects to domestic and international network platforms. This allows the Taipei Sugar Refinery Cultural Park to showcase a rich and diverse performing arts ecosystem. (Source: Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs)