Anyone who wants to see some of the old schools and villages in the north should hurry. Soon, there will be nothing left to see.
This school was already doomed by declining birth rates. Each grade level had only one class left, and at one point there were 11 teachers for just 23 students. It is a typical Taiwanese standard school, with a large sports field in the center. As a lost place it may not carry much adventure or significance—but for the students and teachers, the closure meant losing both memories and a workplace.
The school is also making way for the Taoyuan Aerotropolis, one of Taiwan’s largest urban development projects. It aims to transform the area around Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport into an international logistics and industrial hub. Covering about 4,564 hectares, the project spans the Dayuan and Luzhu districts of Taoyuan City.
The Aerotropolis project follows the concept of an “airport city,” integrating various functional zones:
- Industrial and logistics zones: focusing on eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and highly productive industries.
- Free trade zone: promoting international trade and economic cooperation.
- Residential and commercial areas: creating housing and facilities for the growing population.
- Transport infrastructure: including a third terminal and runway at the airport, raising its capacity to over 60 million passengers annually.
Social Impact
The project requires large-scale land expropriations, raising challenges such as resettlement and the protection of cultural heritage. Up to 46,000 people are expected to be affected (Anti-Aero). Authorities have held public hearings to involve the affected communities in the planning process.
But the closure of a school always has consequences for the surrounding community: shops are forced to shut down, and some residents will move away to make the school commute easier.
The interior of a building right next to the school—why is there such a prohibition sign here? A touch of dark humor.
In the surrounding area, there are many other houses and ruins that are likely older than the project itself.
(Beneath the tree lies the ruin of a house.)
I drove on and came across the next school —demolition excavators were already at work here. Hurry up before it’s gone!
You can drive around almost anywhere and find abandoned houses.
(copyright Claudius Petzold)
Quellen:
https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/61BF20C3E89B856/7d0b8333-f713-4d3d-a7c6-9fc60d7b28f9?utm
