【Article by Office of General Affairs】

On April 23, the Office of General Affairs (OGA) hosted a campus-wide briefing on pavement improvements, chaired by Vice President for General Affairs Yu-Hsin Tsai. Nearly 40 faculty members, students, and administrative staff attended and engaged in active discussion. The Campus Planning & Development Section, Construction & Maintenance Section, and the design-build project team jointly presented the project details.

 

Key concerns raised by participants included adjustments to future pedestrian and vehicular circulation, circulation planning during and after construction (including accessible routes), measures to minimize disruption to teaching and major examinations, and safety issues related to the Blackboard Trees located in front of Da Ren and Da Yong Buildings.

 

The project originated from the need to address slippery pavement conditions during rainy weather, with initial improvements carried out on the Downhill Campus. The OGA has already conducted several pilot-scale improvement tests near the West Entrance, in front of Jing Tang Building, and at the rear exit of Da Zhi Building.

 

Through these trials, the team analyzed pedestrian movement patterns and reimagined how open spaces could better accommodate campus activities. Based on these observations, the project will redefine the boundaries of paved surfaces, open spaces, and green areas. Hard paving will be applied along pedestrian paths and plazas, while other areas will be converted into rain garden green belts. These features are designed to increase natural water infiltration, enhance on-site water retention, and mitigate the urban heat island effect.

 

In addition, continuous green belts will replace isolated tree pits, and level crossings without height differences will be introduced to improve accessibility. Speed tables will be incorporated into roadways to slow traffic and clearly separate pedestrian and vehicular flows, reducing conflicts in high-traffic areas such as in front of Ji Ying Building and near Roman Square. Narrow sidewalks will also be reviewed and widened wherever feasible within physical constraints.
Future pavement design will follow the campus-wide Master Plan developed by public artist Maria, known for the Coconut Grove Path project (behind Guo Fu Building). The plan adopts a subdued color palette—primarily shades of gray—to better integrate with the surrounding environment.

 

To minimize disruption, construction will be carried out in three phases. Work on Phase 1 is scheduled to begin on June 15, 2026, with the goal of completing improvements along Si Wei Boulevard—from the College of Commerce and Main Library to the Administration and Information Buildings—before the start of the fall semester.

 

Construction progress may be affected by weather conditions and underground utility constraints, introducing some uncertainty. The design-build team will continuously review and adjust the construction sequence to align with campus events. To ensure completion during the summer break, the OGA adopted a design-build procurement strategy, integrating design and construction teams from the outset to reduce administrative time and costs. Preliminary plans for construction fencing boundaries are expected by the end of April and will be announced by the Office of General Affairs.

 

The Blackboard Trees (Alstonia scholaris) located in front of Da Ren and Da Yong Buildings are a prominent feature of the western campus landscape, known for their tall canopies and dense shade. However, as a non-native species with rapid growth and brittle wood, these trees pose safety risks. Strong winds and heavy rain can cause branches to break, potentially injuring pedestrians or damaging vehicles. Their aggressive root systems can also damage pavement, while dense shade encourages moss growth and mosquito breeding. Additionally, the trees emit an unpleasant odor during the flowering season.

 

These issues, associated with the widespread planting of the species in Taiwan over the past few decades, have drawn increasing public attention in recent years. The topic sparked extensive discussion during the briefing. Representatives from the Sustainability Office provided professional insights and suggested referencing management practices adopted by local governments, such as those in Taichung City. Vice President for General Affairs Tsai expressed a long-term vision of gradually replacing Blackboard Trees with native species—such as Zelkova trees—to enhance ecological sustainability and campus safety.

 

To further communicate the campus development vision, presentation materials from the briefing have been made available for download. Please refer to the following link:
https://reurl.cc/A9bLEK

 

Organizer: Construction & Maintenance Section, Office of General Affairs
Contact Person: Ms. Yang (+886-2-2939-3091 ext. 62132)