The Taichung Basin in Taiwan is encircled by mountain ranges, rivers, and the Dadu Plateau, forming a natural barrier. During the Qing Dynasty, the establishment of counties and walled cities, followed by successive waves of Han Chinese migration and land cultivation, led to the co-construction of settlement cores and social order. In the Japanese colonial period, the implementation of urban renewal plans introduced grid-patterned streets and river improvements, reshaping the city’s appearance. After World War II, industrialization and land readjustment accelerated, resulting in population concentration and growth, which in turn stimulated the gradual expansion of the real estate market—most notably in the past decade. Previous research has predominantly examined real estate development from an economic perspective, while relatively few studies have explored it through the lens of geomantic feng shui. Therefore, this study integrates historical documentation with GIS analysis to reconstruct the urban evolution of Taichung across three historical periods—the Qing era, the Japanese colonial period, and the postwar era. It seeks to determine whether the geomantic flows of qi and the veins of the land (地脈) correspond to the axes of urban and real estate development. By establishing the interrelated factors between industrial economy and real estate development, and by applying observational methods to construct a cross-model aligning with geomantic feng shui theory, this research aims not only to fill a current academic gap but also to provide contemporary scholars and practitioners with a new humanistic perspective on urban development.

Authors:
Zong-Hao Liang, Weixin Shengjiao College, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Zong-Hao Liang, currently a master’s student and real estate company director, specializes in urban development and real estate studies.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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