Waterfront Cities New York,Baltimore and Kaohsiung / 水岸城市-紐約、巴爾的摩及高雄
Taiwan is an island, and Kaohsiung has rivers and harbor. Kaohsiung is determined to transform itself into the Ocean Capital of Taiwan and has been paying great attention to the development of waterfront facilities.
In early 1970s, cities in western countries began to put the concept of water-friendly into Waterfront Development. There are successful examples, such as New York and Baltimore. In July, a fact-finding group led by Mayor Hsieh paid a visit to these cities. The members include: Mr. Tsung-ting Ko, Director─General of Bureau of Maritime Affairs and Fishery, Mr. Yao-wen Lin, Director─General of Department of Information and Dr. Cheng-chung Yeh, Chairman of Kaohsiung Multi-functional Commerce and Trade Park Association.
New York─A multifaceted waterfront metropolis
New York, located on the bank of Hudson River, is the world's financial and trade center. The World Financial Center is located in Manhattan, and the Liberty Statue on the other side of river makes New York a picturesque waterfront city.
On July 1 & 2, the delegation paid a visit to the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and took a tour to some waterfront facilities. The Port Authority is responsible for not only the Maritime affairs, but also land transportation and aviation network services. The Port Authority has to meet the needs of the two States and pay equal attention to the port operation and tourism industry. The waterfront facilities and riverfront parks in New York make the city attractive and friendly. The ferry service on the river not only provides as transportation but also a popular tourist attraction.
Chairman Yeh, said the model of overall waterfront development in New York could be introduced as a valuable reference for the planning of the Dream Mall in Kaohsiung.
Baltimore─A successfully rejuvenated waterfront city
Baltimore is a typical port city. In 18th century, Baltimore was one of the most important ports on the eastern coast of American. In 19th century, the railway system in the United States gradually displaced its role. As a result, Baltimore's economy began its downturn. Thanks to the city renewal projects, Baltimore was successfully transformed into a modern waterfront city.
The delegation was invited to the top floor of the World Trade Center. The view was very like that from the 85-story Tuntex Tower.
Baltimore and Kaohsiung have many things in common. Both two cities are port cities and highly rely on heavy industries. The Port is under jurisdiction of Maryland State, not the city itself. There has been a tension between Baltimore City and the Port of Maryland. The situation was not solved until 1970s when the city started its renewal projects, notably the development of Inner Harbor and the construction of World Trade Center, International Convention Center, etc. Since then, the tourism industry has significantly improved and the number of tourists has grown enormously from almost nothing in 1960s to 30 million per year.
Kaohsiung─Taiwan's Ocean Capital
Kaohsiung is currently in a transitional period, undergoing some changes. The situation is very similar to what happened to Baltimore 30 years ago. The experience of Baltimore offers valuable information for Kaohsiung's future development.
To become the Ocean Capital, a unique waterfront city with its original characteristics, is the vision of Kaohsiung. As Mayor Hsieh says, Kaohsiung is not necessary a Number One city, but an Only One city.
台灣四面環海，高雄擁有河川與港口，最具有成為水岸城市先天條件。高雄市近年來特別重視水岸的建設與規劃，要把傳統重工業轉變成為台灣的「海洋首都」。
1970年代初期，西方國家進行都市更新之際，開始重新檢討舊有港埠空間的角色，並掀起一股都市"親水"概念，水岸開發蔚為風潮，其中美國東岸紐約及巴爾的摩市的水岸開發經驗，頗值參考。今年七月上旬，市府特組團前往紐約及巴爾的摩市參觀，謝市長擔任領隊，港務局柯宗廷局長、新聞處林耀文處長及多功能經貿園促進會葉致中會長陪同參加。
紐約─水岸萬象之都
紐約位於哈德遜河河畔，為世界金融、貿易中心，人文薈萃，觀光發達。世界金融中心位於曼哈頓區，摩天大樓聳立在哈德遜河水岸與對岸的自由女神像，相互輝映，構築成一幅美麗的水岸萬象之都。
七月一、二日，代表團一行訪問紐約／紐澤西港務局、參觀紐約水岸建設及聽取長榮海運美國公司簡報。此港務局係由紐約州及紐澤西州所共管，除海運管理外，並負責兩州的陸、空運輸網路開發與經營。整體建設方面，須同時顧及兩州的需求；港區之經營管理，則兼顧港口發展需要與觀光遊憩功能。紐約的水岸親水公園及水岸設施，讓摩天大樓林立的紐約顯得較有親和力，哈德遜河上的渡輪，除提供交通服務外，更有絕佳的休閒遊憩功能。
隨行的多功能經貿園促進會會長葉致中表示，此行參觀紐約觀光碼頭公共藝術的設置及周邊整體開發模式，可引進做為統一夢公園整體開發計畫的參考。
匜爾的摩─水岸更新典範
巴爾的摩市位於美國華府與費城之間，為一臨港城市。十八世紀時，商業盛極一時，為當時美東與歐洲的主要港口之一。到了十九世紀，鐵路逐漸取代了港口的功能。產業失調，城市瀕臨破產危機，藉由港市轉型，創造港灣城市再生典範，被譽為全球最成功的重工業轉型水岸港市。
七月二日，代表團抵達巴爾的摩市。翌日，前往該市世貿中心聽取「內港」水岸觀光發展的簡報及馬里蘭州港務局所作的巴爾的摩港貨櫃、貨輪吞吐量及未來的展望報告，彼此針對相關議題交換意見。從世貿大樓頂樓俯看整個巴爾的摩內港，就像東帝士八五大樓一樣，可作為未來高雄新光輪渡站附近統一夢公園計畫的參考。接著，一行人來到火力發電廠改建的輸電大樓、著名的水族館及水岸碼頭，並搭乘遊艇環繞內港。下午，代表團前往大巴爾的摩委員會瞭解該會在都市更新計畫中所扮演的角色。
巴市與高雄市有許多相似的地方，城市大小、人口相當。同樣曾以重工業為經濟發展基礎，港口均為該城市經貿發展的命脈。巴爾的摩港隸屬於馬里蘭州，非市港合一，與高雄市情形類似。港務單位對港區拓展的需求與市民對港區親水空間的釋放，一直存著緊張關係，直到一九七○年代，藉由港市轉型再生計畫，從「內港」的開發，世貿大樓、展場中心、水岸觀光商場的興建，帶動經濟的繁榮，觀光客從一九六○年代零觀光客增加至現在每年三千萬人次的觀光產值。
高雄─台灣的海洋首都
高雄正處於轉型期，類似的經濟結構變化，巴市於三十年前就發生了，而巴市的轉型經驗及配合港市再生計畫，從一個頹廢的港口到現今成為經濟發達的觀光重鎮，不但徹底改變都市風貌，更挽救了當時的產業危機，頗值得參考借鏡。
高雄發展願景是要成為一個具特色的海洋首都，如謝市長所說的，高雄不需要成為一個「第一」的城市，但一定要成為一個具有特色、「唯一」的水岸城市。