The preservation of Lesheng complex
The preservation of Lesheng complex (Happy Life Leprosy Hospital), a internationally renowned Hansen’s Disease/Leprosy treatment facility, is a matter that should concern all those who are interested in the historical / cultural issues of human rights in the global village. Lesheng will become the site that commemorates mankind’s transition towards an increasingly socially just society for the benefit of future generations.
In the wake of the recent protests, Taipei County magistrate signed the petition in support of preserving the Lesheng complex and allowing the current residents to remain at the site (no forcible removal). Even though both the National Council for Cultural Affairs and County of Tao-Yuan have designated the site to be a historical preservation site, “no forcible removal” opens new possibilities for the preservation of the Lesheng complex.
As early as January, 2005, the MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit) office made a written report confirming that such Leshang preservation plans are ‘feasible’, but there have been no further action in the ensuing eighteen months with regards to developing these alternative plans. Now that a series of popular rallies and demonstrations have successfully saved the Lesheng complex from being demolished, the preservation plans should be on the table once again.
For these reasons, we reaffirm the meaningfulness and significance of Lesheng preservation. Leshang preservation is more than a relocation plan. It is a landmark human rights event that illustrates the historical progression of Taiwan to a socially just society. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to preserve a unique and irreplaceable cultural artifact with important historical, human rights, and architectural significance.
Therefore, we request the re-opening and reconsideration of the ‘technical viable’ version of the Leshang whole site preservation plan, specifically, the proposal led by Professor John Liu.
Here, we again affirm the importance in the preservation of the Leshing complex in its entirety. As academia and professionals (architecture, planning, and landscape architecture) who seek social changes and improvement of quality of life, we firmly believe that the government should have the courage to confront the mistakes of the past and make policy changes where appropriate. Base on this, as members of professional and academic communities, we will be forming an independent committee to evaluate the schedule and feasibility of the preservation plans.
We demand that::
1.The local government must complete the historical preservation procedures in a timely manner, recognize Lesheng as an important culture heritage artifact, and designate the entire complex as a historic preservation site.
2.The national government should make available an open process that allows the historic preservation professionals and specialists to make further site evaluations.
３. Adequate oversight of the Lesheng historic preservation process should continue until the completion of this important task. The preservation of this monument marks the transition of the Taiwanese society to a socially just society within the context of a new and more equitable political culture in Taiwan.
We humbly request your support for this petition and thank you for your interest.
OURS: The Organization of Urban Re-s, Taipei Taiwan
Republic of China, Urban Design Association Taiwan Historical Resource Management Association
Please send your support and comment, by e-mail to ours@ours.org.tw or leshengpetition@yahoo.com.tw
with your name, title, e-mail address and affiliation.
