In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture’s promotion of “Industrial Cultural Asset Regeneration Project” and “Guidelines for Subsidies for Preservation and Maintenance & Management of Cultural Assets from Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture”,TSC’s units, including Yuemei Sugar Factory, Beigang Sugar Factory, Huwei Sugar Factory, Suantou Sugar Factory, Xingying Sugar Factory and Ciaotou Sugar Factory to accelerate the development and utilization of the idled cultural assets in the area of sugar factories, activate the utilization to enhance the cultural added value of the sugar industry culture, achieving sustainable development of industrial heritage.
Heritage Preservation and Activation of Sugar Railways
Sugar Train Culture has been regarded as an important cultural asset by the government. It witnessed the live history of the development of local industries and is also a resource for future tourism development. Therefore, there is a need to repair it for good preservation. Promotion of relevant plans as of 2021:
| Project | Project Content | Execution Status |
|---|---|---|
| Repair and maintenance of Sugar Train Station with historical value | In the period of 2019-2021, investments would be made in “Restoration Plan and Project of Wufen Station of Suantou Sugar Factory”. | The planning and design of the Restoration Plan and Project of Wufen Station of Suantou Sugar Factory was completed in 2020. The construction of the Restoration Plan was completed in the end of November, 2021. |
| Repair and restore sugar trains with characteristics | In 2020, the restored SL370 Steam Locomotive started to resume its service in the Wushulin Sugar Railway Cultural Park, reappearing the magnificence of sugar train culture. | The restoration completed in March, 2022, and it will provide visitors with charter experience and also serves as a dynamic display in cultural festival events. |
| Training for driving and maintenance techniques for internal combustion and steam locomotives | In 2021, the Department of Land Development of the Headquarters organized the training courses for driving internal combustion engine train for new drivers, practical class for mechanical affairs and maintenance and engineering works of railway dedicated for sugar train, and on-the-job training course for railway operators. | The training courses have been completed in 2021, and the professional knowledge and practical experience of sugar train operators was also increased. |
| Cooperation with the Policy for Survey on Sugar Railway Routes and National Greenway | Take inventory of sugar railway routes and national greenway | Suitable sections were chosen from Cultural Heritage’s sugar railway routes, and it was decided by the National Development Council in Jan. 2021 that the Changhua Section (Xihu Sugar Factory to Mingdao University) and the Tainan Section (Annei Sugar Factory to Wushulin Sugar Factory) are the National Greenway of Sugar Railway. This project is outsourced by the county and city governments and is expected to complete by the end of 2022. |
| Sugar Train Extension to HSR Chiayi Station and the Southern Branch of National Palace Museum | To connect the surrounding attractions and boost local tourism development, the first phase of the project is to extend the sugar train east southwards by 1.41 km from Suantou Sugar Factory to HSR Chiayi Station. TSC invested NTD 80 million in construction. At Phase 1.5, the sugar train will be extended west southwards to by 1.49 km from Suantou Sugar Factory to the Southern Branch of National Palace Museum, and the investment in this expansion project amounts to NTD 250 million. | To cooperate with the policy and boost local tourism industry, the Phase 1 sugar train extension project is expected to be completed and commence in Aug. 2022, and Phase 1.5 project is expected to be completed for commence in Aug. 2023. |
Repair of Japanese Style Houses and Industrial Facilities
During the Japanese Colonial Period, wooden structures and the industrial facilities in sugar factories had their own styles. These structures not only witnessed the process and transformation of the sugar industry but are also unique historical landscape and a symbol of memories. After restoration, business invitation will be conducted for art and commercial purposes, and the houses and facilities will also be reused for accommodation experience, cultural relics exhibitions, film shooting activities and other activities. They have become cultural elements in the cultural and creative industry and enhanced the value of cultural assets of the sugar industry.
For a long time, TSC cooperates with cultural units of the government for the application of “Regeneration Project of Industrial Cultural Assets” and “Management and Maintenance Subsidy Plan for Cultural Assets Preservation” to plan repair and reutilization. In 2021, the ongoing projects include:
- Restoration project for 6 cultural landscape structures in Douliu Sugar Factory.
- Restoration and Reutilization of Yuemei Sugar Factory.
- The re-utilization project of the 11 buildings of the dormitory group and alcohol tanks in Huwei Sugar Factory and the restoration of Beigang Sugar Factory.
- Planning and Design of the Restoration of the Depot of Steam Locomotive in Beigang Sugar Factory.
- Planning and Design of the Restoration Sugar-Making Workshop in Beigang Sugar Factory.
- The restoration project of the dormitory group of Huwei Sugar Factory on No. 2 & 4, Ming Zhu 9th Road.
- The planning and design of the 1st Guest House and the factory director’s dormitory in Huwei Sugar Factory.
- The restoration project of the old clinic and barbershop in Huwei Sugar Factory.
- The restoration project of Wufen Station of Suantou Sugar Factory.
- The restoration project of the headquarters office of Ensuiko Sugar Factory Co., Ltd. in Xinying
- Restoration and Reutilization Project of the Original Plastic Factory Office and Staff Canteen in Xinying Sugar Factory.
- Planning and Design of the Ciaotou Security Unit in Kaohsiung Sugar Factory.
