7.Landscape Remodeling

Problem Encountered: The Design Deficiency in Ecological Engineering Methods and Water-accessible Concepts

Aside from the aforesaid fact that most ponds along the Caogong Canal have been vanished by land filling with the initial landscape beauty lost, the past splendid irrigation engineering in the Kaohsiung areas has become the stinking ditches running through communities. In fact, the renovation engineering of the Caogong Canal was unfolded in 1998. However, the design concepts at that time were measured by taking traditional flood prevention into consideration and the cross section area of canal was dwindled to 4 meters. The canal paths of the Caogong Canal finally became simply-designed irrigating ditches due to the downsized canal cross section. The said design is just contrary to the modern design concepts, which emphasize the river revival and natural landscapes. For example, the section of the Caogong Canal in front of the High Speed Rail Tzuoying Station is currently only left with the narrow cross section on the road center. The situation thoroughly impedes the water-friendly space accessible for citizens.

Solution: Landscape Remodeling

By using the ecological engineering methods to improve the landscape of river courses, it is available to create some landscape within the river like trees and grassland. Under the situation of no irrigating function influenced, the uniqueness of original red brick canals and ancient embankment can be properly revived. The river bank areas can be designed with theme parks. The height difference between irrigating and emitting canals can be used for waterfall design. The recommendable sites are described as below:

1. At the intersection of Jiu Qu Tang, low water canals can be designed to water-accessible parks.

2. At the intersection between the Da Song Bridge and the diverting gate of Fong Shan Stream (the boundary of 4 different townships) can be designed to water-accessible parks.

3. At the intersection of 3 rivers, namely the Houjin Stream, Sheto Stream and the Caogong Canal, adjacent to Bagualiao, it can be designed to water screen and simple processing facilities for waste water to improve the downstream water quality.

4. By using the old canal path from the Caogong No. 2 Bridge to the Da Song Bridge, the section can be changed into a water-friendly ditch available for human recreation. (The New Caogong Canal is still conserved for the initial function of water supply.)
   

Furthermore, we can take the management of the Love River for our reference. The Kaohsiung City Government changed the originally high embankment into low embankment to allow people with much more water-friendly accessibility. The Caogong Canal is featured with extremely high tourism resource and it can be designed to the natural landscapes well conserved, and the globally admired river bank beauty will be thus created.

What is Eco-engineering?

Locally, eco-engineering means all technologies applied for all perpetual operation to cause the least damage to ecosystems based on ecological consideration and safety orientation when people insight the significance of ecosystems to materialize conservation for biological diversities and perpetual development.

The eco-engineering is composed of 2 parts, namely ecology and engineering technology.Ecology means the interaction between creatures and the surroundings. Eco-engineering applied to construction in our surroundings provides a shelter for people from danger.

To combine the technologies with eco-engineering concept, what it counts most is to show respect to every kind of creature in our surroundings. When eco-engineering is designed, it is critical to emphasize the survival right for various creatures.Therefore, any engineering causing remarkable alternation and highly damaging ecological environment should be forbidden.When engineering is implemented, the usage of natural raw materials is preferably recommended. Since natural ecological environment changes over time, these changes should be taken into consideration for every engineering implemented. For example, when river renovation is implemented, it is highly recommended no original river courses should be changed and the marine creatures should be kept intact in their colonies.

The Earth is composed of various ecological systems such as woods, grasslands, oceans, lakes and wetlands.Every ecological system is featured with various settings and creatures. With the differences of ecological environment, the design of eco-engineering will be changed accordingly. Eco-engineering has no rigid forms.However, it is required for thorough knowledge about the ecological environment so that the impact on environment will be reduced. As such, it is exactly what we call eco-engineering.

Eco-engineering is meant to assure people with more safe life. However, if the safety of surrounding creatures is also taken into prudential consideration, there will be a harmonious relationship between human beings and other creatures, and this is the very basic spirit of eco-engineering.

Ecology is composed of the environment and creatures in our surroundings.Various colonies are required by various creatures and they also cause mutual influences. The design of eco-engineering should be very close to the plains nature so that every kind of creature can perpetually survive in the environment.Creature diversities are therefore well conserved.

（resource from http://eem.pcc.gov.tw/eem/student/index0.htm）

Reflection

The river basins of the Caogong Canal have been decreased gradually. With industry development, the nature has been damaged. Because of lacking the designs with eco-engineering and the concepts of water accessibility, the situations just impede the availabilities for people to access water. Thus, the uniqueness of landscape should be remodeled for our plasticity design so that the city lacking ecological environment will be changed. As such, there will be much more water-friendly space for people. This concept can not only ensure people of excellent spots for recreation but also beautify our city. The history of the Caogong Canal deeply influences people and this city. As we can see, the Love River is now a very beautiful river. It is my firm belief that someday, the Caogong Canal will become a beautiful river like the Love River with the closer relation to urban areas and people. Thus, the Caogong Canal can be beautified with a new face and the great moment of this history records will never be forgotten.