Sustainable Development Goals
Abstract/Objectives
Since 2020, National Tsing Hua University has created the Regional Earth-grounded Applied Laboratory (REAL) to integrate teaching with local issues, offering a learning environment combining Hsinchu's history and technology. In 2023, the initiative evolved into "REAL+: Hsinchu Regional Industry and Culture Support System," furthering "earth-grounded education." Researching Hsinchu's century-long development, it focuses on the old town area, the mountainous Guanxi-Mawudud area, and urban-rural concerns in Cianjhen and Zhubei. These areas encounter various challenges like development stagnation, mountainous issues, and urban-rural dilemmas. Implementing a "Pathfinder" community model and "Field Probe" mechanism, the project aims to explore local industries and cultures. By building regional support systems for industries and cultures through a "Minimum Viable Place (MVP)" approach, the project seeks to impact Hsinchu's communities positively, promoting earth-grounded education as a sustainable feature of National Tsing Hua University.
Results/Contributions

In Taichung there is Donghai, and near the Hsinchu High-Speed Rail Station there is also Donghai. Hsinchu's Donghai was included in the area acquisition range twenty years ago, becoming part of the ongoing development "Jade Project." Over twenty years have passed, but there is still no answer as to whether Donghai will be used for building houses or farming. The future of the area is uncertain, and local residents are unable to continue managing the area. Many valuable cultural assets are neglected, with no one paying attention to them. With this in mind, in order to reintroduce the value of the fertile rice fields and Hakka settlement culture, we have connected more than twenty sites within the area, including farms, shops, and studios, to establish the "Taiwan Fenghezi Association."


Through this platform, we aim to increase more connections and discussions within the area. This includes promoting "diverse rice food culture," introducing the value of rice to more people through dishes like radish cakes, mochi, rice cookies, rice wine, shochu, etc. We collaborate with local educational institutions and farmers to promote "agricultural education and leisure farming." Aside from cultivating a new generation of farmers, we also develop experiences and leisure activities related to farmland, allowing both local residents who have lost their sense of place memories and new immigrants from other regions to recognize the diverse value of Donghai's site.


Through numerous interviews, we cooperated with local villagers to publish a local magazine called "Plow Talk of Shanshui." We revitalized historical spaces such as the century-old Donghai water mill, Peng's family residence, and Yuetao Wo ancient road. Moreover, we focus on expanding friendly agriculture through the development of the Smart Rice Field Project, establishing the Spring Wheat Grain Club and Grain Club, designing seasonal meal boxes, and organizing mud play activities after harvesting to continue making the Donghai site visible.

Keywords
Multigrain riceSmart rice fieldsUrban-rural interfaceRice industrySupport system
References
1. https://realregional-engagement-assistance-lab.webnode.tw/

"REAL+: Hsinchu Regional Industry and Culture Support System" USR Project General Website Integration

Contact Information
陳泓維
real@gapp.nthu.edu.tw