The revival of Toufen’s century-old elegance

Retaining the same appearance as a settlement from 300 years ago, Luzhunan Traditional Village (蘆竹湳古厝) in Toufen, Miaoli, is the last traditional settlement of Taiwanese courtyard dwellings in northern Taiwan. As Taiwan’s economy took off, the factories of Toufen Industrial Park (頭份石化工業區工廠) moved in, surrounding the ancient courtyards to create a vivid juxtaposition. Faced with the encirclement of modern chemical factories, the young people gradually migrated away from the community, leaving the remaining residents to watch the steady decline of their hometown. Residents decided to take the initiative and established the Traditional Settlement Cultural Association (傳統聚落文化協會), devoting themselves to saving the culture and appearance of the community’s traditional courtyard dwellings.

Preserving the settlement’s ancient flavor while combining modern fashions is a big test, but young people hope their plans will do just that. What remains here is not merely the charming style of ancient houses but also the rich stories and memories of locals.

以下為中文對照

位於苗栗頭份的蘆竹湳古厝是北台灣最後一座三合院聚落群，保留了三百年前的聚落模樣。隨著台灣經濟起飛，頭份石化工業區工廠進駐，將古色古香的三合院包圍，林立的廠房與三合院形成強大的對比。面對現代化工業的包圍、社區的年輕人口不斷外移，留下來的居民眼看著自小成長的家鄉逐漸沒落，內心開始湧起居民自覺，於是成立傳統聚落文化協會，致力於三合院聚落與文化的保存。

保存古老的風味卻又能跟現代的流行結合是一大考驗，但是年輕人對於社區的規劃與期待是指日可待的，在這裡留下的不僅是古厝的風情更承載在地人的故事與記憶。