This studio is a joint design course co-organized by the Graduate Institute of Building and Planning, National Taiwan University, and Prof. Takashi Ariga’s team at the Department of Architecture, Waseda University.

Core Site: Pinglin District, Feitsui Reservoir Drinking Water Source Protection Area
Core Theme: Co-Creating the Value of Feitsui

I. Course Vision and Core Dimensions

This course focuses on the "Feitsui Value" through the lens of sustainable development, exploring the synergy between environmental protection and local prosperity across three dimensions:

• Sustainable Water Stewardship (SDGs 6): Since 1987, nearly 7 million residents in the Taipei Basin have relied on high-quality water from the Feitsui Reservoir. This dimension explores how urban consumers can connect with and support the tea farmers, local business owners, and younger generations in the Protection Area whose development is restricted. How do we collectively define and uphold the "Feitsui Value" of sustainable water resources?
• Appropriate Urban-Rural Development (SDGs 11): In response to the needs of regional revitalization, this dimension investigates planning and design guidelines for Net-Zero Buildings and Low Impact Development (LID). We will define the standards for industrial and residential bases that harmonize local livelihoods with environmental constraints.
• Eco-Study Industry Incubation (SDGs 8): Stretching across Pinglin, Wulai, Shiding, and Shuangxi, how can we incubate a service chain for immersive eco-friendly study tours and deep-learning experiences? This goal aims to create sustainable green economy employment opportunities through the development of professional eco-tourism services.

II. Methodology

The course utilizes transdisciplinary planning and design methods, including:

• Field Investigations: In-depth site surveys within the protection area.
• Stakeholder Interviews: Engaging with farmers, residents, and government officials.
• Data Synthesis: Literature reviews and spatial data analysis.
• Co-Design Workshops: Collaborative sessions to ideate and refine solutions.

III. Expected Deliverables (Beta Version / V1.0)

Adopting an iterative design concept, all deliverables for this semester are considered "Beta" or "Version 1.0," serving as the foundation for future refinement. Deliverables include, but are not limited to:

1. Feitsui Value Systems Map: A visual framework of the ecosystem and social values.
2. Development & Design Guidelines: Standards for the Water Source Protection Area.
3. Eco-Study Service Design Package:
   • Target Personas: Detailed profiles of potential participants.
   • Travel Scenarios: Three sets of journey maps/scenarios for immersive study tours.

This course will integrate:

1. Professor Shenglin Chang’s 14 years of deep engagement in Pinglin,
2. Transdisciplinary research data from the LTSER (Long-Term Social-Ecological Research) Feitsui Site
3. the Japanese case studies and methodologies featured in the publication Japanese Environmental Design and Management for Sustainable Urbanism: Learning from Satoyama, edited by Professor Takashi Ariga of Waseda University.

1. Transdisciplinary Knowledge Integration: Bridging Local Practice with Scientific Research
   By synthesizing Professor Shenglin Chang’s 14 years of deep-rooted engagement in Pinglin with the Long-Term Social-Ecological Research (LTSER) data from the Feitsui site, the course guides students to build an integrated understanding of complex socio-ecological systems, bridging the gap between field practice and scientific evidence.
2. International Knowledge Translation: Adapting Satoyama Principles to Taiwan’s Watersheds
   Students will analyze Japanese case studies and methodologies from Professor Takashi Ariga’s (Waseda University) publication, Japanese Environmental Design and Management for Sustainable Urbanism: Learning from Satoyama. The goal is to translate these international environmental design and management principles into localized planning strategies for the Feitsui Protection Area.
3. Co-Creation of Social Value: Establishing Sustainable Urban-Rural Symbiosis
   Through field investigations and stakeholder engagement, the course aims to redefine the symbiotic "Feitsui Value" for both urban residents in the Taipei Basin and local communities. Students will learn to develop spatial design guidelines and regional revitalization strategies that foster humanistic value and ecological resilience under strict environmental constraints.
4. Iterative Prototyping: Developing Solutions for Future Societal Needs
   Rooted in the concept of "iterative design," the course directs students to produce Beta-version prototypes—including the Feitsui Value Systems Map, Net-Zero development guidelines, and immersive eco-study service chains. These deliverables are designed to address evolving societal needs and serve as a foundation for a sustainable green economy.

Urban-Rural Symbiosis, Sustainable Value, Sustainable Urbanism, Healthy Cities, Satoyama Design Principles, Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS),Low Impact Development (LID), Near-Zero Buildings, Eco-Study Industry, SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth