By RK Shih / Staff. Image via Liberty Times / 高雄好過日
KAOHSIUNG — Large mirror walls have been installed at Kaohsiung Station (高雄車站), creating a new public space where young people can practice street dance in the heart of the city.
The mirrors are located on the north side of the station’s sunken plaza, part of an area now branded “Xin Gaocheng” (新高埕) by the operator Global Mall (環球購物中心), which leases the space from Taiwan Railway Corp. (台鐵公司).
The name combines “Xin Gao,” referencing Kaohsiung’s historical identity, with “cheng,” a traditional Taiwanese word for an open gathering space in front of homes. The plaza has already hosted cultural markets, seasonal events, and themed displays.
The popular FB page 高雄好過日 added: “Designating a formal public dance practice space in a major city transit area is relatively unusual. The move also comes amid wider regional debate over how public spaces should be used. In Singapore, for example, authorities recently frosted over mirrors in a corridor at Bayfront MRT station, which had become a popular practice spot for dancers but also drew complaints about congestion in the busy pedestrian walkway.
Urban planners say providing open spaces for activities such as dance carries broader implications for public life. In many cities, especially around major transportation nodes, public areas have increasingly become commercialized environments tied closely to retail consumption. By contrast, activities such as dance allow people to use public space without needing to spend money, potentially restoring a more open civic function.”
City officials and project partners held an opening ceremony Sunday morning to mark the launch of the new dance practice area. Organizers say the mirror walls — along with nearby power outlets that allow dancers to plug in speakers — are designed to make the station plaza one of the most accessible street dance practice locations in Kaohsiung.
