The morphology of evolved urban fabric around farm ponds

Abstract

Resilience, water-based ecosystems, and regional urbanization are closely related. Ponds, as a part of water-based ecosystems, are subject to the indicators of urbanization. The farm ponds in Taoyuan, Taiwan, represent a sustainable fulfillment of irrigation demand and are a system that has been resilient to the topological change in plate elevation over time. The old system was developed in three stages and gradually replaced by canals and reservoirs, with lands abolished or demolished for other purposes. This study aimed to investigate the resilience of farm ponds based on a quantitative estimation of the morphologically evolved urban fabric. Based on five types of map resources, case studies were made on the ponds located near or away from the Green Line of the Taoyuan Rapid Transit System in order to explore their potential relationship with urbanization and the concept of transit-oriented development (TOD). The results show high dynamics of land-use changes while each one was surrounded by a specific urban fabric and contributed to the individual history, designated role, and major type of buildings developed. Quantitative estimation made from satellite images found the developing patterns of resilience in different convergence stages. Each of the four pond cases represents a different stage and application pattern to the integration of water and urban resilience and, in the meantime, maintains the old pond culture. The verification of the water surface area was compared between former 3D scans and satellite images.