Department of Cultural Affairs

The Taipei Studies (臺北學) Conference, held biennially by the Taipei City Archives, delves into various topics related to Taipei, with the aim of uncovering the city’s rich cultural essence and historical value. 

In celebration of Taipei’s 140th anniversary, in September the Taipei City Archives will host the 11th Taipei Studies Conference and Promotion Event (臺北學研討會暨推廣活動). Everyone interested in Taipei’s historical culture and future development is invited to experience the city’s unique charm.

This year marks Taipei City’s 140th anniversary. Over time, Taipei has evolved into a modern, diverse, and inclusive city, reflected in the myriad voices, styles, and images of its people in pictures, writing, and multimedia.

In honor of this milestone, the conference will be themed “Timeless Treasures, Composing the Future,” and will revisit the highlights of Taipei’s past while envisioning its future. The main visual concept, City Kaleidoscope (城市萬花筒), will showcase Taipei’s vibrant allure, presenting its diversity and capturing its unique voice, flavors, and images as seen by different people.

The event will feature three promotional activities, two keynote speeches, seven Taipei city observation presentations, and one comprehensive forum, offering an in-depth and accessible exploration of Taipei’s multiculturalism and urban spirit.

Promotional Events 

Three promotional events will be held on September 13, 20, and 25. The first, Urban Walks—From Logging to Modern Economic Development (城市走讀–渡頭伐木歷史與現代經濟發展), will take participants on a guided walking tour to explore the thriving shipping, logging, agriculture, and trade activities of Monga 140 years ago, offering a deep dive into Taipei’s historical and economic evolution. 

The second event, Ecological Tour—A Century of Taipei Hidden in Nature (生態導覽–藏在自然生態裡的臺北世紀), will delve into Taipei’s transformations through the geological strata at Zhishanyan. Participants will uncover Taipei’s history by examining different strata, fossil traces, and various plant species, revealing the city’s development story. 

The third event, Lecture x Workshop—A Century of Taipei Social Housing (講座x 工作坊– 臺北公宅百年), will translate the abstract patterns of Taipei’s social housing into beautiful architectural lines. Through lectures and printmaking workshops, participants will explore the history of Taipei’s social housing and its impact on urban development, with opportunities for hands-on involvement and creative enjoyment.

Two-Day Conference Line-Up

On September 28 and 29, the 11th Taipei Studies Conference (第十一屆臺北學研討會) will be held for at the International Conference Hall (國際會議廳), School of Continuing Education, Chinese Culture University (Jianguo Campus). 

The conference will feature discussions with experts from various fields, focusing on contemporary Taipei through seven city observation presentations covering architecture, aesthetics, history, culture, film, popular music, and civic movements. The event will offer insight into Taipei’s diverse and inclusive urban spirit while presenting content that is both relevant to daily life and culturally significant. The conference aims to cultivate a vision of Taipei as a culturally reflective city with a forward-looking approach to its sustainable future. 

The event will also include a special performance by the Taipei Quyituan, adding a joyful atmosphere with humorous acts that provide a lighthearted introduction to Taipei’s culture and history. Additionally, there will be two keynote speeches and one comprehensive forum.

Two keynote speeches will be given: “Love Letters Carved in Stone – To Taipei” (刻在石板上的情書– 給臺北) and “From Walled City to World City,” delving into Taipei’s urban development history, key transitions, and future prospects. The comprehensive forum, titled “Bright Future,” will discuss various city development plans and policies, with the goal of collectively shaping a more prosperous and livable Taipei.

Attendance at the 11th Taipei Studies Conference and Promotion Event (第十一屆臺北學研討會暨推廣活動), hosted by the Taipei City Archives, is free. Registration is expected to open mid-to-late August. For details and registration information, see the Taipei City Archives website. We invite all Taipei residents interested in the city’s historical culture and future development to actively participate and explore Taipei’s diversity and inclusiveness while witnessing the city’s promising future.

▍11th Taipei Studies Conference and Promotion Event (第十一屆臺北學研討會暨推廣活動)

Date: September 13 to 29

Location: Varies by event

The organizer reserves the right to make changes and cancellations.