EXPLORING ISSUES AND STRATEGIES OF DEVELOPING SKYWAY SYSTEMS: A CASE STUDY OF THE TAIPEI SHIN-YI DISTRICT

Abstract

In an urban setting, the development of a skyway system has been seen as an important facility to improve local environment, create the urban image, and enhance the prosperity of the area. Furthermore, skyways can offer vantage points for pedestrians to observe the city and enjoy the unique view of the urban streetscape. This paper therefore argues that skyway systems are capable of forming a vibrant element in an urban context. As the development of skyway systems has recently become a notice in Taiwan, this paper selects the skyway system in the Shin-Yi Planning District, Taipei City as the subject of the research and conducts on-site observations and the questionnaire survey. The survey result shows that the majority of the respondents are content with the skyway system as a whole. However, several issues such as the lack of directional signage, deficient protection from the elements, and incomplete connection with public transit require more discussions in the subsequent skyway development. To build a sustainable skyway system, planners should pay much attention to the three critical strategies—integrating with the public transit system, providing a pedestrian-friendly environment, and enhancing the urban image and landscapes—in their skyway plans.