With a landscape filled with scenic rivers and mountains, central Taiwan is famous for its numerous sightseeing destinations. Although most businesses and farms in the region are small, the region's unique scenic beauty has made it a major tourist attraction and therefore a key factor in regional prosperity.
The recent earthquake may have forever changed this regional characteristic of central Taiwan. The earthquake has caused landslides in mountainous areas, destroying many scenic spots. Areas once filled with breathtaking views are now barren wasteland. These areas have also lost an important source of their prosperity.
Therefore, as we begin reconstruction after the earthquake, we must give careful consideration to the potential pauperization of many areas. We must realize that reconstruction involves more than simply rebuilding houses. It must also re-evaluate the earthquake's impact on an area's ecology, social structure and economy.
The purpose of local reconstruction is not simply to make a place liveable again, it must also strive to help local residents live in a state of hope and happiness. If an area's economy, ecological and social structure have changed significantly as a result of the quake, then the local reconstruction must take this into account.
With this in mind, reconstruction planning should involve local residents in damage assessment. If conducted in this way, the plans may have a chance of being successful.
I'm concerned that the government will continue to overlook such fundamental evaluations. For example, the scenery along the Central Cross-island Highway has changed drastically, yet I have not seen any government reports on the quake's impact on the scenic value of the highway or plans to relocate local businesses.
The reconstruction of the quake-stricken areas has begun. It should involve not only the development of the areas along the fault lines and the revisions of urban planning regulations, but, even more importantly, the conduct of ecological evaluations. Only after evaluating these fundamental problems can the important work of economic reconstruction begin.
Nan Fang Shuo is the publisher of The Journalist magazine.
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