興築水城：新竹水基礎設施的物質政治 與「水公民」行動

Abstract

本研究旨在分析新竹市「水政治」的內涵，包含地方水政治場域的形成，以及在水政治場域中所浮現的「水公民」。回應晚近人文社會科學界對於「非人」（non-human）的關注，本文係在台灣「公民身份」（citizenship）如何開展的研究關切下，以新竹市「水公民」的個案，提出「如何經由水，掌握新竹地方上歷時性的公民行動，以及在其中體現的『公民身份』意涵?」之研究問題。 透過文獻分析及半結構訪談之研究方法，本文首先檢視水體本身及水基礎設施的多重物質性，從中梳理出「水」與公民「水行動」的關聯。其次，經由追蹤地方上歷時性開展的水行動，覺察公民參與公共事務之積極意涵，進而描繪出「水公民」動態浮現的過程。 本文同時關注新竹市特殊的都市空間－社會結構。具體來說，水政治的浮現與演進，必須鑲嵌在特定的時空脈絡中，此即新竹市「學（大學）－研（研究機構）－園（竹科園區）－市（舊市區）」的空間－社會結構，以促成具在地意涵的水行動，逐步擴大「水公民」的範疇。 總而言之，經由新竹市水政治，除了可以說明「水」的社會物質性（sociomateriality），也能透過重新檢視公民行動的時空脈絡，掌握公民身份漫長的培力與茁壯歷程。過程中，所謂「民主基礎設施」係經由知識、協作與參與的三個基礎面向，一面推進公民日常的公共事務，一面鏈結公民及公民團體之間的關係，並以具體的地方行動，推進民主深化的歷程。

This research delineates the concept of "hydropolitics" in Hsinchu City and explores the formation of the hydropolitical arena, alongside the emergence of "hydrocitizens" within it. Responding to recent interest in the humanities and social sciences in the "non-human," this paper examines the case of "hydrocitizens" in Hsinchu City under the broader concern of how "citizenship" is developed in Taiwan. The research addresses the question, "How can water help us understand the diachronic civic actions in Hsinchu and the implications of 'citizenship' therein?" Using literature analysis and semi-structured interviews, the study first examines the multiple materialities of water and water infrastructure, identifying the connections between water and local "hydroactions." It then tracks the diachronic development of hydroactions in the area, highlighting the active engagement of citizens in public affairs and illustrating the dynamic emergence of "hydrocitizens." The paper also pays attention to the unique urban spatial-social structure of Hsinchu City. Specifically, the emergence and evolution of water politics are embedded within a particular spatiotemporal context, namely the spatial-social structure characterized by the "Academia (universities) - Research (research institutions) - Park (Hsinchu Science Park) - City (old downtown area)" in Hsinchu City. This structure facilitates local, diachronic hydroactions and gradually expands the scope of "hydrocitizens." In summary, the study of hydropolitics in Hsinchu City illustrates the sociomateriality of water and provides an opportunity to reassess the spatiotemporal context of civic actions, thereby understanding the long process of empowering citizenship. Meanwhile, the so-called "democratic infrastructure" advances everyday public affairs through three fundamental aspects: knowledge, collaboration, and participation. It also promotes citizens' daily involvement in public affairs, links relationships between citizens and civic groups, and advances the process of deepening democracy through concrete local actions.