River Rehabilitation in Kaohsiung

When the schedule of visit to Kaohsiung City includes the river cruise of Love River with solar-powered motor boat, I thought the river must be of quality similar to the Theme River of London or at least Singapore River. However, It proved me wrong. The water quality of the river is not that fantastic and if I could made a comparison, it is similar to the Melaka River cruise.

Having said this, if we knew the background of Love River, then perhaps we should think again that great work has been done and really fast. From the sewer line catering to the discharge of waste water from most of the households in Kaohsiung, the intake of waste water to this river has been reduced tremendously. Waste from household was treated at the up stream with biological approach before channelling into Love River. The river bank was landscaped and provided with a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian lane network. The buildings along the river are lighted up and designed with unique sculture. The community activities are back and bring more life to the river side. It becomes a toursit destination. All these have transformed the once dead sewer line into a river with life flowing through the city centre. I believe the transformation will change the city scape and facade of Kaohsiung City, after all this city was once known as city with seaside.

River rehabilitation is not a project dependent solely on engineering solution. It requires multiple approaches and involvement of various stakeholders. While we have to make the project commercially viable with more economic activities and return, we must also have the active community participation.