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Due to the geographical conditions and inconvenient traffic connection, Hualien County had been less-developed than other regions of Taiwan for a long time. Although all kinds of incentives have been provided to encourage industrial investment in Hualien, not much effect was resulted. Recently, thanks to the rapid development of recreation and tourism activities in Taiwan, and Hualien city is able to have opportunity to develop its tourism industry and makes itself a tourism-oriented place. Among many sources attracting tourists to Hualien, religious tourists attracted by Tzu-Chi deserves our attention in terms of regional development. Forty years ago, the Tzu-Chi Foundation led by Master Cheng-Yeng chose the west part of Hualien city as it’s headquarter. Currently, the Tzu-Chi Foundation not only expanded its organization, increased its influence in Taiwan society, but also had deepened her impression and identity in common people. Moreover, the image of Tzu-Chi also highlighted the image of Hualien and made Hualien a more well-known place, which is a favorable variable to the tourism promotion. This research is aimed to analyze the impacts of Hualien Tzu-Chi Park on its surrounding neighborhood, and to analyze the relationship between physical and non-physical factors. On the one hand, because of the reputation of Tzu-Chi Foundation in Taiwan society, Tzu-Chi Park in Hualien city not only attracted lots of different people to live nearby, but also brought benefits to the real estate industry in the surrounding area. Furthermore, the daily needs of immigrants bring in retailing opportunities in this area so that commercial streets are developed. On the other hand, the number of residents, students, and workers also brought huge traffic flow, informal stalls, and environmental problems. The complicated relationships of different aspects found in this research should be helpful for the formulation of future regional development policy.
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