Historic preservation in Taiwan : the restoration of Tainan Da Tianhou Gong

246 Pages·2003·6.5 MB·English

by  Wang, Chen-shan Ellen

UNIVERSITry
PENNSYLVANIA.
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN TAIWAN
THE RESTORATION OF TAINAN DA TIANHOU GONG
Chen-shan Ellen Wang
A THESIS
in
Historic Preservation
Presented to the Faculties ofthe University ofPennsylvania in
Partial Fulfillment ofthe Requirements for the Degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
2003
Supervisor Reader
David G. De Long David Hollenberg
Professor ofArchitecture Lecturer in Historic Preservation
Graduate Program in Historic Preservation
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Acknowledgements
I brought my questions and passion for historic preservation to Philadelphia in
1997. and it has been six years. During these years, I have witnessed great changes ofthe
United States and the world. Technology and information update far beyond my
imagination while more and more monuments are destroyed. However, I believe there is
something that never changes. One day, people will re-esteem the value ofhistory. And I
wish that I will be there contributing as much as I can.
Upon the completion ofthis thesis, there are some people I would like to show my
gratitude. I am particularly indebted to Professor David G. De Long, who not only
advised this thesis but also has been extremely patient and helping. I am very grateful to
be able to learn from him. I also like to acknowledge the advice ofProfessor David
Hollenberg, who has generously read and commented on this thesis. For assistance with
the details ofthe thesis. I would like to thank Mr. Chao Kung-tu and some ofmy friends
for providing me documents and photos.
During my study at University ofPennsylvania. I am very grateful to Ms.
Suzanne Hyndman for her help and friendship.
Finally I would like to thank my families' endless support and encouragement,
especially my in-laws, Mr. Kuan-cheng Chiou and Mrs. Lih-Shu Tseng.
I would like to dedicate this thesis to two ofmy beloved- my husband Yun-shang
Chiou and our lovely daughter Hsin-he Amelie Chiou.
11

1 1
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
ii
Table ofContents iii
List ofFigures v
Introduction viii
Chapter 1: History ofPreservation in Taiwan
1. Return to Chinese government 1
The debate ofthe restoration ofZhen Chengongshrine at Tainan 5
1.2 The Developing Period: Modernization 10
Tourism 1
The Academic Circle 15
1.3 Grass-roots Movement 18
Urbanization vs. Preservation: the Lin Mansion Event 18
1.4 Legislation: the Cultural Assets Preservation Law 20
The Conservation ofthe Dihua Street 22
Folk version ofthe CulturalAssets Preservation Law 24
1.5 Community participation 25
Learningfromforeign experiences 26
Councilfor CulturalAffairs 28
Movement: CommunityParticipation 29
Chapter 2: Mazu Temple (Temple ofthe Empress ofHeaven)
2.1 The Significance ofMazu 34
2.2 The Mazu Cult in Taiwan 39
2.3 History ofthe Tainan Da Tianhou Gong 45
2.4 Architecture ofthe Tainan Da Tianhou Gong 49
iii