Kaohsiung wins BIG at the International Awards for Livable Communities/綠色奧斯卡1金1銀3銅
Kaohsiung wins BIG at the International Awards for Livable Communities
◎English translation: Lin Fang-ju
◎Photos by Pao Chung-hui
The "Green Oscars"
This year the International Awards for Livable Communities were held in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Also known as the "Green Oscars", more than 80 cities and 150 communities compete in categories such as sustainability, natural environment and environmental protection. Liveable Communities Awards are endorsed by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). The objective of LivCom is to evaluate the development of international cities and the impacts they have on the environment. The LivCom Awards is the world's only competition that focuses on issues such as urban landscape, environmental management, ecological development, resource utilization and sustainable development.
Kaohsiung Wins BIG!
Kaohsiung won a total of five medals with the Siaolin Village Memorial Park taking the gold. The memorial not only pays homage to the victims of Typhoon Morokot but also the surrounding natural environment and the resident's sense of community. The judges were impressed at the role the park played in bringing hope to community during post- disaster recovery. The judges were so touched by how it had brought the community together that it received first place out of twenty-four other competitors.
Dadong Arts Center won a silver medal for its emphasis on natural elements and incorporating surrounding eco-systems. It integrates the use of wind and natural lighting. Rain water is also utilized and the Fongshan River flowing around four of the main buildings. It establishes an oriental Zen ambiance and brings new energy to the old town of Fongshan.
Three bronze medals were awarded to Youchang Forest Park, Meinong and Yancheng Districts. "Kaohsiung's delegation had to make presentations and answer the judges' questions," explains Kaohsiung's Mayor Chen Chu. "The five medals did not come easily. They are Kaohsiung's honor and pride of Taiwan." Mayor Chen is thrilled Kaohsiung is receiving international recognition for its efforts in urban planning and sustainability. The mayor would like to thank everyone that has worked on these initiatives, the government's hard work and the public's support.
Kaohsiung's urban planning has recently been devoted to becoming a competitive, "livable" community. The International Awards for Livable Communities are Kaohsiung's second recognition after it received the FIABCI Prix d'Excellence, earlier this year for Jhongdu Wetland Park. Ecological infrastructure has become a great priority in Kaohsiung's development. Efforts include expanding wetland and nature reserves, disaster prevention initiatives, drainage, flood control and coastline remediation. Initiatives incorporate environmental protection, art, culture, sustainability and an overall better living environment. The city government has researched international trends in public construction and planned accordingly. The city has also been inspired by the experiences of other international cities. It is evident the outstanding urban development has certainly paid off.
綠色奧斯卡1金1銀3銅 高雄國際宜居城市 獎聲不斷
◎文／盧怡如 ◎攝影／鮑忠暉
高雄又得獎了！
素有全球「綠色奧斯卡」之稱的國際宜居城市獎去（2012）年在阿拉伯聯合大公國艾因市公布決選結果，高雄市勇奪1金1銀3銅等5項獎座，其中，小林紀念公園、大東文化藝術園區分別得到金、銀獎的殊榮，右昌森林公園、美濃區及鹽埕區則獲頒銅獎；這是去年繼中都濕地榮獲全球卓越建設獎後，高雄再一次獲得國際大獎肯定！
市長陳菊說：「這次代表團不但要現場簡報且須立即答覆評審問題，在嚴格評選下，從80多個城市、150多個社區的激烈競爭中，一舉拿下五座獎項，相當不易，這不僅是高雄的榮耀，也是全台灣的驕傲。」她指出，獲獎代表國際肯定高雄的城市規劃，更認同高雄轉型綠色低碳的城市價值，感謝市民、市府團隊的支持與打拼。
高雄以「宜居城市」為目標，對生態建設極為重視，從取法「與自然共生」之道，逐步擴建生態濕地綠廊，到排水防洪、海岸線整治等防災治理面向，無一不是融合自然環保、人文藝術、生態永續的思維，為市民打造更優質的生活環境。這次參賽，不但掌握國際公共建設趨勢，納入後續規劃依據，更借重國際城市經驗，以提昇城市發展的深度及廣度，為居民帶來幸福感及認同感。
勇奪金獎最高榮譽的小林罹難者紀念公園，因原址創造偉大及追思的環境，藉由表達對自然環境及罹難者的尊重，以及居民社群意識的萌發與覺醒，為當地生活展現災後復興的希望與未來，讓評審們極為動容，從全球24個城市中脫穎而出。
摘下銀獎的大東文化藝術園區，設計意象強調自然元素，以半戶外建築空間與周圍生態系統結合，引入自然風的流動、錯落的光影，以及雨水、鳳山溪等水資源，串連四座主體建築，營造東方禪學之美，為鳳山古城注入新生命，因此備受評審肯定。
「國際宜居城市獎」由聯合國環境規劃署與國際公園協會聯合主辦，目的在評比各城市在永續發展與提高環保意識的貢獻，與對當地社會、環境帶來的影響，是全球唯一涵括城市景觀、社區環境管理、生態建設、資源利用、環境永續發展等重要議題的國際競賽。