William K. Burton and his Water work Projects In Taiwan

Abstract

This research study comprises a part of the fundamental research being conducted on engineers in Taiwan covering the period of Japanese colonial rule. William K. Burton, in his capacity as Sanitary Engineer, was invited to plan the waterwork system of Taiwan. He was teaching at the Tokyo Imperial University and one of his students was Hamano Yashiro whom he brought with him to Taiwan to be his assistant. He worked in Taiwan from August 5, 1896 untilh e died on August 5 1899. Among his works were the planning of the waterworks of Taipei, Chilong, Taichong and still other places in Taiwan Burton also involved himself in the reconstruction works of streets in Taipei and designed' model housing for the country. Upon his untimely death, his Japanese assistant, Hamano, continued his remaining works. An examination of William K. Burton's projects in Taiwan would readily reveal an aspect of great importance in the process of modernization of Taiwan.(Burton, Waterworks, Taiwan)