2023從光禿禿的城市土壤，看台中綠空廊道可食地景(綠色游擊第2年）Taichung Guerilla Gardening 2nd year

低碳美學城市，應該這樣光禿禿嗎？Should a low-carbon aesthetic city look like this, barren and empty?

台中以低碳美學城市自居，綠空廊道貫穿火車站舊城區，是居民及遊客常常經過的地方。

然而，每天往返經過綠空廊道的台中人，必定很稀奇：「這麼漂亮、用心設計的地方，竟然有不少荒廢的土地！」

以「荒廢」來形容乾枯、缺乏有機質、沒有生態的土壤，其實並不誇張。想像中，綠空廊道應該是充滿綠意、結合生態、健康安全、舒適視覺享受的都會休閒遊憩場域。某些地段，例如台中市西區綠川旁的邊坡（綠空廊道內），民生路兩側，並非除此，肉眼可見土壤相當枯竭，我們都知道這不是健康土壤的狀態。

Taichung prides itself as a low-carbon aesthetic city, and the Green Corridor, which runs through the old train station district, is a common path for both residents and tourists.

However, those who pass through the Green Corridor daily may find it quite surprising: “How can such a beautifully designed and thoughtfully planned area have so much abandoned land?”

Describing the soil as “abandoned” to refer to its dryness, lack of organic matter, and absence of ecological life is not an exaggeration. Ideally, the Green Corridor should be a vibrant space full of greenery, blending ecology, health, safety, and visual comfort in a city leisure and recreational area. Yet, in certain sections, such as the slope beside the Green River in Taichung’s West District (within the Green Corridor), and along both sides of Minsheng Road, the soil appears visibly depleted. We all know this is not a healthy soil condition.

多次陳情，卻未獲土地管理單位積極回應Despite multiple petitions, we have yet to receive a proactive response from the land management authorities.

於是我們詢問當地長春里里長 珊汝，里長表示支持我們，她也為此向建設局陳情了多次，但始終沒有獲得積極的回應，頂多有單位來除草，後來還是光禿禿的一片，她也很困擾。

別人不重視沒關係，但是身為台中人、在台中生活的我們認為綠空廊道的土地應該可以有更好的樣貌呈現！我們得先試著做做看！如果成果好，又很多人一起來響應，相信政府會來幫我們一起想想辦法的！

So, we consulted Shanru, the village representative of Changchun Village. She expressed her support for our efforts and mentioned that she had petitioned the Construction Bureau multiple times on this matter. Unfortunately, the responses were far from proactive. At most, some departments came to clear the weeds, but the land remained barren, which has been a source of frustration for her as well.

It’s fine if others don’t prioritize this issue, but as Taichung residents, we believe that the Green Corridor’s land can and should be presented in a much better way! We have to take the first step and try it ourselves. If our efforts yield positive results and attract widespread participation, we believe the government will eventually step in and work with us to find solutions.

Barren land holds untapped potential—there’s no reason it can’t be transformed into something meaningful and beautiful.

水路管線不及、土壤裸露，是綠化最大問題Inadequate water pipelines and exposed soil are the biggest challenges to greening efforts.

我們在這麼大片的空間中，找不到對應的水源管線，只有從上方留下的水可及之處有綠色植物，其他的部分大多光禿禿的！可見管線不及確實是難以綠化的問題，而沒有植物的土壤裸露在外，風吹日曬日下，有機質流失，對於整體生態是惡性循環。
In such a large area, we couldn’t find accessible water sources, and only areas within reach of runoff from above have green vegetation. Most other parts remain barren. This highlights the challenge posed by insufficient water pipelines, making greening efforts difficult. Without plants, the exposed soil is subject to wind, sun, and rain, leading to organic matter loss and creating a vicious cycle for the overall ecosystem.

為城市發聲，人力物力有限，先以綠色游擊示範代替認養Advocating for the city with limited resources, we chose to start with Green Guerrilla demonstrations instead of formal adoption.

2022年03月，剛開始我們尋求有意願一起參與的台中組織夥伴：共好生活合作社、好伴社計、台中荒野保護協會、主婦聯盟、隱者地圖、格魯克、綠色暢聊等，我們一起觀察、找水源、整合問題解方，並決定找一塊地來做未來空間想像示範，人力物力有限的情形下，「綠色游擊行動」是這樣開始進行的。
In March 2022, we began reaching out to organizations in Taichung that were willing to join our efforts: Sallysgreenlife, HappenXDesign, The Society of Wilderness Taichung Chapter, Homemakers United Foundation, Hidden Map,Egaruok, and Green Drink. Together, we observed the area, searched for water sources, identified challenges, and brainstormed solutions. We decided to select a piece of land as a demonstration site for imagining its future potential. With limited resources, the “Green Guerrilla Action” started in this way.

為什麼不「認養」，要用「游擊」的呢？Why choose “guerrilla” instead of “adoption”?

進行綠色游擊行動最怕的不是辛苦，而是「合法性」的問題。也有不少人勸我們為什麼不乾脆去「認養」就好了？而是採用游擊的方式呢？

其實，我們也做過不少討論，因為想要藉由游擊「活動」引起更多人關注以及討論，讓在乎的在地居民朋友都可以共同創造土地的未來性，如果只採用認養形式，這對於一般人而言，不就是從原本維護團隊改為另一個維護團隊而已，會沒有感覺。

但是如果透過「游擊」活動，大家動手參與，讓議題發酵，希望找到志同道合的在地夥伴（如果是長春里的居民更好）加入我們的行列，大家一起來共同規劃都市可食空間的願景，共創美好的綠色生活。
The biggest challenge in conducting Green Guerrilla actions is not the hard work, but the issue of “legality.” Many have advised us to simply “adopt” the land instead. So why choose a “guerrilla” approach instead of adoption?

We’ve had many discussions about this. We chose the guerrilla approach because we want to use it as an “activity” to raise more awareness and spark discussions. This way, local residents who care about the issue can actively participate in shaping the future of the land. If we simply adopted the space, it would just be a change of maintenance teams, which wouldn’t have much impact on the community.

However, by engaging in a “guerrilla” action, we invite people to take part, allowing the issue to gain momentum. We hope to find like-minded local partners (ideally from Changchun Village) to join us, so we can collectively plan a vision for urban edible spaces and co-create a greener and more sustainable future.

以等高線截水溝渠及厚土種植，改善土壤水分及肥分流失問題Using swales and sheet mulching, we aim to improve soil moisture retention and reduce nutrient loss.

我們一起利用等高線截水溝渠，攔截水流，並且以厚土種植將肥分補充於土壤裡。後來可明顯看得出處理過的土壤比原先土壤肥沃很多！而且植物也長得好很多！
We used swales to intercept water flow and applied sheet mulching to replenish nutrients in the soil. Over time, we could clearly see that the treated soil was much richer than the original, and the plants grew much better!

可食綠空廊道是台中美好想像The edible green corridor is a beautiful vision for Taichung’s future.

當初在討論的時候，我們集思廣益綠空廊道可以有什麼樣不同的樣貌。我們想到，西雅圖有p-patch都市菜圃、台北有田園城市，那台中呢？「可食綠空」或許是一件很棒的事，不僅可以讓都市人獲得健康的食物，同時也可以照顧土壤、照顧環境，還可以幫助消滅貧窮！因為我們種在路邊，歡迎大家隨時來取用！When we were brainstorming ideas, we thought about the different possibilities for the Green Corridor. We were inspired by Seattle’s P-Patch urban gardens and Taipei’s Garden City. And what about Taichung? “Edible Green Space” could be a wonderful idea—one that not only provides healthy food for city dwellers but also nurtures the soil, cares for the environment, and helps combat poverty! By planting along the streets, we invite everyone to come and take what they need, anytime!

你能想像在都市裡豐富食物的場景嗎？連無毒草莓都長出來了！Can you imagine a scene in the city filled with abundant food? Even pesticide-free strawberries are growing!

曾經在這邊的可食植物有：薄荷、紅地瓜葉、紅鳳菜、皇宮菜、野莧、左手香、馬齒莧、白鶴靈芝、紫蘇、萬壽菊，而太陽花、百日草、滿天星將綠空點綴得好漂亮。
The edible plants that once thrived here included mint, red sweet potato leaves, red amaranth, kale, wild pigweed, lemon balm, purslane, white crane grass, perilla, and marigolds. Sunflowers, zinnias, and baby’s breath added a beautiful touch to the green space.

甚至連草莓、番茄、南瓜都曾經在這邊長出來！收成草莓的那一刻，內心充滿感動，原來不用藥的草莓，還是可以在生活裡自然收成！
Even strawberries, tomatoes, and pumpkins once grew here! The moment we harvested the strawberries, I felt deeply moved. It was a reminder that even pesticide-free strawberries can naturally thrive and be harvested in our daily lives!

團隊成員雅鈴也帶2個孩子匡豊、向綋來吃吃看！

綠色游擊可食植物，是凝聚美好永續都市社群的關鍵Green guerrilla edible plants are the key to building a beautiful and sustainable urban community.

綠空廊道綠色游擊計畫，從2022年2023，已辦接近10場交流活動，超過150人次參與支持。
我們一同種植、共餐、交流分享、野餐，美好的歡笑聲蔓延在綠空廊道裡，難得都市裡有這樣的美好空間、美好的人們，我們捨得放棄嗎？

如此看來，「可食綠空」確實是大家所樂見的未來。

The Green Guerrilla Project in the Green Corridor has hosted nearly 10 exchange events from 2022 to 2023, with over 150 participants supporting the initiative. Together, we have planted, shared meals, exchanged ideas, and had picnics. The sound of laughter fills the Green Corridor, a rare and beautiful space in the city, made even more special by the wonderful people involved. Can we really afford to let this go?

It seems clear that “Edible Green Spaces” is indeed a future that everyone can look forward to.