Telling stories about air pollution and citizen action in Kaohsiung city

• In Event: Transnational and Transgenerational STS: Collaborations, Methods and Pedagogies

Abstract

The petrochemical industry in Taiwan has been developing over 50 years since the 1970’s. Today, the petrochemical industry puts the society at risk due to its aging equipment. The related political, economic, social, and legal systems are also outdated and fossilized. However, the vast majority of citizens are unfamiliar with the systemic risks and lack of right understanding.

The risks from operating aging facilities, public ignorance about the risks, and the lack of motivation for industry to improve are crucial factors resulting in local residents suffering from environmental pollution.

Therefore, our research team creates the “Kaohsiung database'' on the platform, “The Asthma Files” (TAF), and tries to construct stories about Kaohsiung's air pollution with compilation of memorabilia, relevant existing documents, pollution information and other data. The purpose is to raise public awareness through understanding of the Kaohsiung pollution stories

At the same time, we hope that Kaohsiung's experience can be exchanged with the international research community on the TAF platform. It will also help us to reflect on the plight and role of stagnant industry and urban governance in Taiwan. We aim to increase international attention and pressure to foster internal perspectives and to improve citizen participation to promote the transformation of Taiwan’s enterprises and urban governance.

Authors

• Chia-Liang SHIH, National Chengchi University

• CHIA-HSUAN HO, National Chengchi University

• Tseng-Yung Kao, National Taiwan University