Interviewee: Mr. Chang, Shueiliou, Jingxin Precinct Chief

Environmental Development

Jingxin is a commercial area that 80 percent of its residents are doing business. There are Jingxin Park, Jingmei Market, Far Eastern Geant Supermarket and Hanshen Department Store in this precinct. Besides, the national 3^rd class historical site, Ji-ing Temple, and hundred-year-old trees are located in Jingxin, too. 

Population Change

Jingxin has a total population of 6,179 people, including 2,994 males and 3,185 females. It is only 17.52 hectare big and has 2,363 households in 23 neighborhoods. It originally belonged to Shenkeng Township.  In 1950, Jingxin was changed to be in Jingmei Township’s administrative area.  In 1968, Jingxin was changed to be governed by Taipei City. Due to district change in 1990, Jingdong, Jingxin, Jingmei, Jingwen and Jingnan together became Wenshen District in Taipei City. 

Architecture

Jingmei Street, also the famous street in Jingmei, in Jingxin Precinct is where Jingmei Market located. The Market has many shops and stalls. In the past, it was a traditional market that opened in the day time only. Its size was one-tenth compared to what it is now. Its night market started since 1976. Each day you can hear people soliciting their goods and see the huge crowds in the market.

In the old time, Jingmei Street was not as active as now. Even in 1950s or 60s, the houses on the streets were built in old fashioned styles. Now here have 100 to 200 stalls that are managed by the Stall Self-Governing Committee.  

Vision

The commercial development is restricted due to insufficient parking. In order to resolve this problem, Jingxin Precinct Office has been putting effort in a parking construction project. Eventually, Taipei senator Chiang Naixin and Chief Chang Shueiliou have made this dream come true, choosing the vacant land next to Jingmei Elementary School to construct the building with 300 parking spaces. It was expected to start on November 21^st. Once the building is completed, it will have three floors undergrounds for parking; inside will be a community center equipped with swimming pools. It will become a nice place for residents to relax and have fun. 

In 1987, Jingmei Street was chosen to be one of the four night markets in Taipei City’s Night Market Plan. (East: Raohe Street, West: Huashsi Street, North: Shihlin Night Market, South: Jingmei Street) Due to certain reason, such plan was not carried out. But the Chief Chang has never given up this dream. He hopes that the new building with sufficient parking will become a driving force to make this dream come true. 

Our thoughts:

When we entered Hen-Mou Chinese Herbal Medicine Shop, we smelt the herbs. The owner of this herbal medicine shop is Chang, Shueiliu, also Jingxin Precinct Chief. He is the 3^rd generation who was born and grew up in Jingmei. This shop is 117 years old and was repaired in 1986. Chang is also a Chinese medicine practitioner; all his five sons are doctors. Even his grandson is studying in medical science major. Chang thought that being a doctor can help and serve people. If patients are too poor to pay for the medicine, he will not charge them at all. Therefore, his neighbors call him” Big kind-hearted guy”.

☆ Chief of Jingxing Precinct ☆ Chief of Jingdong Precinct☆ Chief of Xingfu Precinct☆