The USR (University Social Responsibility) team of Taiwan Tech continues to respond to societal needs through professional initiatives. Recently, the team partnered with the Da’an District University Village in Taipei City to revitalize an idle, aging building on Section 3 of Roosevelt Road, transforming it into a “Resilient Community Disaster Prevention Center” that combines disaster education with resource storage functions. This project not only enhances the community’s disaster response capacity and the efficiency of public resource utilization, but also demonstrates a new model of university-local collaboration to promote disaster education and strengthen community resilience.

The Taiwan Tech USR team partnered with the Da’an District University Village to revitalize an idle, aging building, transforming it into a “Resilient Community Disaster Prevention Center” that integrates disaster education with resource storage. The project not only enhances the community’s disaster response capacity and the efficiency of public resource use, but also showcases a new model of university-local collaboration for promoting disaster education and strengthening community resilience.

The project was carried out by a team of faculty and students from the Department of Civil Engineering and the Department of Architecture at Taiwan Tech. Applying expertise in engineering mechanics, architectural design, and disaster management, the team reinforced the structural safety, improved durability, and optimized the spatial functions of an aging building located next to No. 25, Lane 283, Section 3, Roosevelt Road, Taipei City. After a year of renovation and design, the building was officially opened as a “Disaster Education Center” and “Disaster Resource Room”, serving as a key site for community residents to learn about disaster preparedness, participate in training, and manage emergency supplies.

Launched in 2024, the project began with structural inspections and risk assessments of the building, followed by multiple consultations with the local village office and relevant authorities to determine the construction plan. Major works included reinforcing structural cracks, adding waterproof and thermal insulation layers on the roof to enhance overall durability, repainting exterior walls, and installing drainage systems to address water accumulation and wall deterioration. Old door frames were also replaced to improve entrance safety. For disaster information infrastructure, the Taiwan Tech team installed clear and standardized evacuation route maps of the University Village on the building’s exterior walls, enabling residents to quickly identify safe routes in the event of a disaster. Through these practical measures, the project has significantly strengthened the overall resilience of the community.

The Taiwan Tech USR team transformed an idle, aging building in the Da’an District University Village of Taipei City into a Community Disaster Education Center and Disaster Resource Room. Shown here are the exterior views before and after the renovation.

In addition, the team incorporated concepts from logistics and management science into the interior planning, establishing a disaster supply storage and inventory system. Supplies are organized by disaster response function - such as alert, evacuation, and medical aid - and color-coded on shelves to ensure rapid deployment in emergencies. The team also implemented inventory tracking and expiration control mechanisms, using technology to manage and monitor resources efficiently. This approach not only ensures that supplies can be promptly accessed during disasters but also serves as a model for other community disaster preparedness centers.

The team established a disaster supply storage and inventory system, organizing internal resources by disaster response functions - such as alert, evacuation, and medical aid - and color-coding the shelves to ensure rapid deployment in emergency situations.

Professor Chien-Kuo Chiu, project leader of the USR team and faculty member of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, stated that through interactions with the village chief and local residents, students rapidly enhance their cross-disciplinary communication and practical planning skills. These hands-on experiences allow students to move from classroom learning to active community engagement, incorporating users’ feedback and needs into their design thinking. “Their perspective is no longer confined to textbooks; they directly engage with community residents and understand the real disaster preparedness needs in daily life”, Professor Chiu noted. He added that through this learning process, the team gradually realizes a model of co-learning and co-creation extending from campus to the community, promoting sustainable local development.

Professor Chien-Kuo Chiu, project leader of the USR team and faculty member of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, explains the concept of a resilient community and Taiwan Tech’s contributions to the University Village to local residents.

Yu-Jie Zhang, a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, shared that the project allowed him to see how classroom knowledge can be directly applied to community challenges. “Our faculty and students are not only transforming physical spaces but also acting as catalysts for community disaster preparedness thinking,” he said. Through hands-on participation in structural assessments and design planning, he gained a deeper understanding of the social value of professional knowledge and took an important step toward developing a sense of social responsibility.

The Taiwan Tech USR project guides students from theory to practice, realizing the goal of cultivating “π-shaped” talents with both professional competence and social responsibility. This approach ensures that learning extends beyond the classroom and continues to have a meaningful impact in real community settings.