The major function of an urban drainage system is to drain sewage and rainfall water. Moreover, it can also provide the functions of human landscape as well as a site for leisure and recreation, while still conserving aquatic
ecosystems. The riverine environment of the Han-Chi Drainage in Taichung was dirty with an overgrowth of weeds
before the environmental construction of the River Cam Project was proposed and designed by National Chung Hsing
University and the Third River Management Office, Water Resources Agency, respectively, in 2007. The vision of the
high-quality river involved the integration of riparian recreation, ecological water purification, and flood prevention along the River Cam reach. After the completion of the reconstruction project in 2012 and attention to public concern as well as conservation by resident participation in activities along the river, the Han-Chi Drainage has transformed from an urban drainage with a single function into an elegant, multifunctional River Cam with ecological and recreational uses.
Key Words: river restoration, public participation, Han-Chi Drainage, River Cam Project.