Shenkeng Old Street rebuilds local culture

Reputed for its old buildings and delicious stinky tofu, Shenkeng Old Street is a famous attraction in Taiwan that can truly be said to look, smell, and taste great. In 1997, Shenkeng Old Street became designated a Special Historic Zone District. To preserve the street’s old buildings, New Taipei City Government discussed the street’s renovation with local stores.

Following the renovation, businesses in the street were persuaded to keep the pedestrian walkway clear so that tourists could stroll through the street unhindered. However, before the renovation, many difficulties were encountered. The borough warden said: "Before the renovation, business in Shenkeng Old Street was booming, so in the beginning, local business lacked interest in the renovation project."

Today, following the street’s renovation, business is even better than before, but traffic congestion and transportation are still issues. For people without a car or scooter, the only way to get to Shenkeng is by bus. The borough warden said that simply increasing the number of buses on the route would solve the traffic problem.

以下為中文對照

深坑老街為台灣著名景點，古色古香的建築和美味的臭豆腐是老街招牌，可說是色香味俱全的一條老街，政府從97年起就將深坑老街列於歷史風貌特定專用區，為了保存老街的建築，新北市政府與店家商量要進行老街復舊整建。

深坑老街整建後，輔導商家退讓道路空間，讓現在的遊客走在騎樓間暢行無阻，但當初整建前也遇到許多困難，里長表示：｢深坑老街整建前生意本來就很好，所以一開始商家對整建興趣缺缺。」

現在老街經過整建後生意更好，但是當地交通仍是問題，沒有汽機車的民眾要去深坑只有搭公車這個選擇，里長表示若能加開公車班次，才可以真正解決地方交通問題。

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