ROC Cabinet greenlights NMH expansion plan

2015/07/07

A plan aimed at revamping Taipei City-based National Museum of History was recently approved by the Cabinet, paving the way for construction of a large-scale cultural park in northern Taiwan.

The NT$1 billion (US$32.26 million), five-year undertaking includes renovation of the 59-year-old NMH and nearby Qing Dynasty Taiwan Provincial Administration Hall, with the latter set to become a new exhibition venue of the museum.

In addition, the plan calls for transformation into a museum boulevard of a section from Nanhai Road to the main entrance of NMH, as well as converting an adjacent Bank of Taiwan dormitory complex into a cultural and creativity hotspot. This is expected to provide more space for environmental education and recreation activities.

Upon completion, the new-look NMH is expected to attract an annual 520,000 patrons and generate ticket revenues of NT$30.8 million.

The NMH and its surrounds are home to the largest concentration of museums, educational institutions and historical buildings in Taiwan. Close to Taipei Botanical Garden and easily accessed by public transportation, the region possesses the potential to become a top attraction in cultural and ecological tourism, according to project implementer the Ministry of Culture.

“But a lack of coordination among authorities in charge of these facilities has greatly hampered the potential of these cultural and historical assets,” a MOC official said. “We believe this initiative will address this shortcoming once and for all.”

The plan is part of the Great Nanhai Cultural Park development seeking to create a new showpiece museum complex similar to the National Mall of Washington, Museum Island of Berlin and Museum Mile of London.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=232228&ctNode=413)