Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 64). / Because the population density is so high and people need interior spaces so urgently, the open spaces in Taiwan are always limited to the minimum acceptable standards, set by regulations. Open spaces are not considered as important urban components, and are usually misused, and, in addition, regulations-in Taiwan put emphasis on the control of the quantity rather than the quality of the spaces. The issues of land utilization concerning encroachment, physical controls and maintenance are critical and require careful scrutiny with regard to open spaces. The study analyzes the existing land utilization of the open spaces in the residential areas of Taipei and compares it to the current regulations. The objectives are: 1) To determine the reasons for the mismatches between the existing environment and the "legal environment" resulting from the regulations, and 2) To acquire feedback from the environment concerning revisions of the regulations. The intent throughout is to be descriptive and expositive rather than critical. / M.S.