Public 10 Infrastructure To realize the vision of a livable city, the Taipei City Government has taken many initiatives: accelerated initiation of various road construction efforts that help boost convenient transportation for the public; continued urban greening and beautification efforts to make the city look more pleasant to the eyes and heart; proactively urged a variety of flood control and drainage constructions to protect the safety of residents’ lives and property; and devoted itself to enhancing all kinds of public utility construction projects to promote industrial development and drive prosperity. While we review the past and look forward to the future, the progress Taipei has made is visible for everyone to see and enjoy. Yearbook 162
Public construction in Taipei is pursuing a Garden City greening plan, road leveling schemes, automatic disaster prevention, and Public hydrophilic river banks, which are positioned to promote industrial development and drive urban prosperity. It also largely consists of Infrastructure building public housing and green buildings to enhance urban 10 environmental quality, turning Taipei into an eco-city, which satisfies the local public's housing needs. This chapter introduces Taipei’s public infrastructure accomplishments in 2013. Envisioning our goals and staying focused, while continuing to move forward, will eventually get us there!
Part1 Comfortable Road Service Quality
Gradually moving toward being an length and is about 38 to 42 meters wide. It is a international quality city, Taipei must provide single-tower asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge people with safe and comfortable road service that includes the approach bridge and approach quality by building new river-crossing bridges, road on the Beitou end, Beitou Service Road new roads, renewing pavements, improving No.13, and the ramp and bicycle trail on the sidewalk conditions, periodically inspecting Shezi Island end. Shezi Bridge was completed bridge and culverts, and setting up common on February 5, 2013 and became officially ducts. Devotion to public infrastructure projects operative on September 19 following the opening paves the way for development in the future. ceremony chaired by Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin on September 18. 1. New Shezi Bridge The new Shezi Bridge provides a new traffic 2. New Fuguo Road Extension corridor that directly connects Shezi Island and The Fuguo Road extension project involves the Beitou and Tamsui Districts. The bridge the east-west main trunk road in the Beitou- contributes to convenient outgoing traffic from Shilin Technology Park that connects important Shezi Island. Meanwhile, across the Keelung trunk roads such as the Zhoumei Expressway, River, Shezi Bridge can serve as a construction Chengde Road, and Wenlin North Road. pathway for Shezi Island development programs The construction consists of two phases to in the future. The main portion of the bridge accommodate zone expropriation in the Beitou- across the river spans around 435 meters in Shilin Technology Park.
Panoramic view of Shezi Bridge 163
(1) Phase 1 of the Project meters. This plan started in 2009 and will end in 2014, 6 years in total, and involves pavement This part of the Fuguo Road extension project renewal of major roads in Taipei. Between 2009 has a total length of around 1,800 meters. It and 2013, renewal of 238 roads was completed, connects the Fuguo Road Interchange ramp with an area of around 5,690,000 square meters bridge and the flat road underneath in the west, in total. Calculated for an ordinary 4-lane road and it crosses Huang River to arrive at the (16 meters wide), about 355 kilometers were intersection of Wenlin North Road and Wenchang completed, which is equivalent to the distance Road in the east, including the bridge across from Keelung to Nanzi and Qishan in Kaohsiung. the Huang River. The two-way bridge is about For the renewed pavements involved in this 545 meters long and 16 to 22 meters wide, with project, around 39,400 manholes in total were two car lanes, the bicycle lane, and the sidewalk lowered. In 2013 alone, an additional 338,000 each way. The flat road is around 40 to 45 meters square meters were renewed and 1,904 wide and a two-way road, with four car lanes, the manholes were lowered. Once the whole project bicycle lane, and the sidewalk in each direction. is completed, it is expected that road service Construction began on March 2, 2013 and is quality will be greatly improved in the downtown scheduled for completion on August 26, 2015. area of Taipei, providing a safe and comfortable (2) Phase 2 of the Project traffic network. The proactive action, care, and devotion demonstrated by the Taipei City This part starts with the Fuguo Road ramp Government to the maintenance of roads was of the Zhoumei elevated road in the west and recognized and won the honor of national first arrives at the starting point of Stage 1 of the place by the Construction and Planning Agency, project. The total length is around 600 meters. Ministry of the Interior in the Metropolis Category The development timeframe for phase 2 of of the "2013 Urban Road Maintenance and the Project will depend on the Beitou-Shilin Management Performance Evaluation." Technology Park zone expropriation. 3. Renewal of Project-Covered Roads Roads in Taipei have an approximate total area of 22,520,000 square meters. Without taking into account divides, sidewalks, gutters, and MRT construction sites, the actual asphalt concrete area comes to approximately 15,000,000 square
The renewed portion of Chengde Road Section 4
4. Improving Sidewalk Conditions Sidewalks in Taipei have an approximate total area of 2,500,000 square meters. From 1999 to 2013, the condition of around 2,206,680 square meters of sidewalks was improved, accounting for 88.27% of the total area in the city. Targeting around 50,000 square meters of sidewalks to be renewed each year, it is expected that The renewed portion of Zhongxiao East Road Section 3 Yearbook 164
The sidewalk along Yumen Street is wide and filled with greenery The bridge is carefully examined
comprehensive improvement can be completed in 2019 to provide Taipei citizens with safe, beautiful, organized, and spacious walking spaces and improve the quality of residential and activity spaces. The Taipei City Government proactively promotes improvement and renewal of sidewalks and the outcomes have been well received by the public. Taipei City Government won the honor of national first place in the Metropolis Category of the 2013 Evaluation of Barrier-free Environments for Pedestrians in Urban Areas, issued by the Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior. Power cables inside common ducts at Nangang Business Park 5. Periodic Inspection of Bridges and facilitate the necessary reinforcements to ensure Culverts traveling safety. There are currently 198 ordinary bridges, . 34 river-crossing bridges, 30 overpasses for 6 Constructing Common Ducts vehicles, 88 overpasses for pedestrians, 12 In accordance with the Common Duct tunnels, 12 underground passageways for Act, the Taipei City Government included vehicles, and 54 underground passageways public facility pipelines that belong to different for pedestrians, or 428 in total, in Taipei that are operating units in common ducts to minimize periodically inspected and repaired. road excavation and reduce the risk of traffic jams and accidents possibly arising from road (1) Painting Steel Bridges construction. To date, common duct construction has been completed in the following areas and is The steel structure was reinforced with a now in full operation: the Civic Boulevard route, resistance buttress to slow down environmentally the New Community route (Keelung River Bend caused erosion on the steel structure. These straightened area), the Zhoumei route and the measures were aimed at ensuring safety, and Nangang Economy and Trade Park, Dadu Road, enhancing the appearance of the bridge. the railway underground eastward extension (2) Bridge Inspection, Maintenance construction project to Nangang, Neihu Phase 5, and Guandu Road. The following common duct and Reinforcement projects are now under construction: the MRT A total of 238 bridges were inspected in 2013. Xinyi Line common duct, the MRT Songshan Shock resistance components and flood control Line common duct as part of the MRT network, mechanisms of the bridges were checked. Beitou-Shilin Technology Park, and Fuguo Road. For bridges that require any improvements The MRT Wanda Line, on the other hand, is still after inspection, a budget will be earmarked to under planning and design. 165
Part2 Quality River System Dredging and Management
1. Flood Control and Drainage Engineering in Taipei by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taipei’s overall flood control program Construction is primarily characterized by embankment construction along rivers, complemented by (1) Establishing a Comprehensive watercourse dredging and river management. Flood Control Mechanism in Taipei The city’s embankment construction in the The Taipei Comprehensive Flood Control planning stage is measured at 131,231 meters Management Commission was inaugurated in in length. The embankment already requiring 2006 with the objective of launching a new water protection in 2013 totaled 109,141 meters. management mechanism for “retaining upstream Construction of the stretch between Wanfang water resources, minimizing midstream flood Interchange on National Highway No. 3 and the risks, and preventing downstream flooding”, Taipei Metro Bridge in Muzha is measured at integrating support from the public and private 500 meters, started in 2013 and is scheduled for sectors to create a safe, comfortable, pleasant completion in February 2014. The length pending and healthy eco-metropolis. 3 commission construction for the Zhoumei embankment along conventions and 3 awareness campaigns were the Keelung River is around 1,500 meters. The held in 2013 to formulate general, integrated project will complement the completion of the and quantified flood control objectives, thus Beitou-Shilin Technology Park Development enhancing flood-prevention programs and Project. developing an effective flood control initiative Approximately 5,268 meters of the and creating a comprehensive, robust damage- project along the Guandu Embankment await control structure for promoting a full-scale flood completion. Embankment facilities will be built control system. along this stretch after the Overall Guandu Plain Development Project is reviewed and approved. (2) Flood Control Engineering The stretch between Fuxing Bridge in Shuangxi In keeping with the plan for Flood Control and Jiannan Bridge is measured at 7,210 meters.
A newly-built embankment to the right bank of Jingmei River
Comprehensive Flood Control Committee General Assembly Stage Gauge (Monitoring) Station Stage Gauge (Monitoring) Station Yearbook 166
Improvement is prioritized for those parts of the the urban area and consequently, the growing river with a highly inadequate flood prevention number of pumping stations and to address the height. Planning discussions are expected to be challenge in manpower mobilization for pumping completed in 2014. stations, efforts were underway to automate the operation and management of pumping stations, (3) Storm Sewer Construction and optimize the functions of pumping sets. The total length of the City’s Storm Sewer This was to ensure centralized management Construction, including the main and branch and distance monitoring for sets in different drainage lines, is 540 kilometers long. By the districts, thereby boosting pumping station end of 2013, about 522 kilometers had been operating efficiency, management maintenance, completed; the completion rate was 96.70%. In strengthen response and command, and the same year, 8 construction projects, including lowering the need for manpower. Automatic the New Construction of Yanggang 3 Flood Control Systems at the Hydraulic Engineering Regulating Pool project, were conducted to Office under the Public Infrastructure Department significantly strengthen Taipei’s water draining are divided into two units: General One and capacities and improve city cleanliness. To General Two Management Centers. 6 districts reinforce water-level monitoring stations at the will be designated for this project accordingly. rainwater sewer system, Taipei completed the Among them, the Facility Optimization for Water installation of 159 stage gauge (monitoring) Pumping Station in District One of the Automatic stations, 1 discharge gauge station, and Control Systems was completed in September 5 closed-circuit television stations for data 2013 and the Automatic Control Systems monitoring and analysis in 2013 to effectively Installation at the General One Management monitor water levels. Center for Water Pumping Stations in Districts 2 and 3” are ongoing and are expected to be (4) Pumping Station Construction completed in January 2015. There are a total of 65 official pumping stations and 21 provisional pumping stations 2. Preferred Riverside Constructions operating in Taipei. Altogether, 409 sets of water pumps are installed around the city, with a total (1) The Construction of pumping capacity of 2,114 cubic meters per Riverside Bikeways second. To reinforce flood control and drainage There are currently 6 riverside bikeways capacities, in 2013, water pumping sets in completed in Taipei, namely the Tamsui River, Zhongshan and Beihsian were renovated, and Xindian River, Jingmei River, Shuang River, and construction of the Wenlin Pumping Station Keelung River right and left paths. The routes was completed. Also, as part of the Beitou- form a complete and continuous network, with Shilin Technology Park Project, construction an overall length of 112 kilometers. (expansion) projects continued in Zhoumei. The renovation of pumping sets in Zhishan, Fude, (2) Riverside Parks and Jingzhou continued in 2013. The Public The Hydraulic Engineering Office, Public Infrastructure Department also conducted Works Department, Taipei City Government noise control and environmental improvement has set up six themed riverside parks in total: engineering to enhance the lifestyle quality of Shezi Island Riverside Park features wetlands nearby residents. and guided ecological tours; Sheliu Wetland was completed in November 2012 and is about (5) Promoting the Automation 16,000 square meters in area; Dajia Riverside of Pumping Stations Park, which focuses on Waterfront Spaces, To better address water drainage needs in was completed in June 2013; and the romantic 167
Sea of flowers at Guting Riverside Park
Rainbow Bridge Riverside Park was completed connection rates reached 100%; and the pipe in August 2013. The other themed parks have connection rates of addressed households yet to be planned and construction will begin in reached 72.27%, registering a growth of 1.9% 2014. The Hydraulic Engineering Office has also compared with 70.37% of 2012. See Figure 1. planned 6 sea-of-flowers projects. The project at the Dajia Riverside Park was re-planned in 2013 (2) Continued Sanitary Sewer to encompass a total of 8,000 square meters Connections for Major in area. Those at Rainbow, Guting, Yanping, Tap Water Users Heshuang 21, and Machangding Riverside By the end of 2013, the number of public and Park, on the other hand, combine to cover private schools in Taipei totaled 324, of which approximately 20,000 square meters. All the 272 have been properly connected with sanitary riverside seas of flowers are planned as a whole sewer services. The number of public and retail and will be presented as landscape areas meant markets totaled 54, with 48 properly connected. to not only add to the views of the riverside parks Also, there are a total of 39 luxury hotels in but also to present a brand new visual feast for Taipei, with 36 having been connected. The the people of Taipei. number of central agencies in Taipei is 52 and 3. Sanitary Sewer Constructions 49 have been connected. The number of Taipei Metro stops and facilities is 84 and 75 have been (1) Continued Pipeline Construction connected. The number of communities of more than 50 residences is 172 and 97 have been for Sewerage Systems connected. By the end of 2013, construction completion ratios of the sewerage system’s primary (3) There are a Total of 35 Sewage main pipes, secondary main pipes, and Interception Stations Dotted the branch pipeline network were 100%, 97.13% and 87.04%, respectively; a total of across the Tamsui River Basin 786,116 households in Taipei had sanitary There are a total of 35 wastewater interception sewer connections; the projected users’ pipe stations dotted across the Tamsui River Basin. Yearbook 168
Among these, 12 are located in Taipei, 22 in New refurbished. A total of 1,054 back alleys were Taipei City, and 1 in Keelung City. Except for the given a makeover by the end of 2013, registering Nanzigou Interception Station, which is operated an increase of 186 newly beautified back alleys, by the New Taipei City Government, the other 34 compared with 868 in 2012. This significantly stations are consistently under the operation and improved the originally undesirable environment. management of the Taipei City Government. They can effectively intercept the sewage and drained (6) Fortifying Sewage Systems after it is processed by the sewage treatment in the Taipei Area plants. The Taipei City Government continues its commission of sewage system management (4) The Construction of On- and operation. Taipei has steadily operated and Site Treatment Facilities managed the Neihu Sewage Treatment Plant, and Operation Status the Dihua Sewage Treatment Plant, and the Bali Taipei has installed two aerated gravel contact Sewage Treatment Plant currently commissioned oxidation purification facilities in Nanhu and to Taipei for servicing. The total 1.97 million Chengmei along the Keelung River; two other cubic meters per day wastewater treatment such facilities were set up in Zhongxiao and capacity is deployed and managed in a manner Guiyang along the Tamsui River and they can that optimizes interception. The overall mean effectively improve river water quality. treatment volume of the 3 plants combined in 2013 was more than 1,760,000 cubic meters per (5) Back Alley Beautification day. In addition, treatment plants, parks, and Taipei incorporated a beautification project sports facilities are planned to be utilized by as part of wastewater sewage connection nearby residents and tourists and accomplish construction. For households in areas that the purpose of sufficient utilization of space and underwent user pipe connection construction and beautification of the environment. repairs, back alleys wider than 2 meters were
■ Planned Sewer Connection Rate Connection Rate (%) ■ Household Sewer Connection Rate 100
80
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40
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0 Year 939291 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102
Figure 1 Annual Growth Rates of Household Sewer Connections in Taipei City over the Years 169
Part3 A Colorful City Garden
1. Park and Green Areas per Capita organizations and individuals to adopt green areas, plazas, traffic islands, sidewalk trees, and in Taipei parks over one hectare in size. 334 such areas At present, a total of 1,068 plots of land were adopted in 2013, totaling 327,090 square (including riverside parks and 39 other sites) meters. covering 1,984 hectares have been successfully designated for parks, greening areas, plazas, 4. Flower Shows and Festivals and children’s playgrounds by Taipei’s urban planning authorities. By 2013, 843 parks (1) The Taipei Camellia Show (including 44 partially constructed parks) and The 2013 Taipei Camellia Show – Natural green areas had been developed, totaling 1,369 Camellia Countenance was held between hectares. In other words, 5.1 square meters of January 25 and February 3, 2013 to amaze green area are available to per Taipei citizen. visitors with the natural beauty of camellia and the magnificent views of camellia and cherry 2. Park Construction (Expansion) blossoms in early spring. Around 42,500 people and Renewal visited the show. The most important projects in 2013 included the expansion of Beitou Park No. 2, construction (2) Yangmingshan Flower Festival of Wenshan (Muzha) Park No. 87 and Beitou The 2013 Yangmingshan Flower Festival – Park No. 234, expansion of Wenjing Park No. Flora Is Coming was held between February 12 21, renewal of Fuxing Park, renewal of Shipai Park, environment overhaul of Dahu Park, and renewals of Yangmingshan Qianshan Park, Liugongzhen Park, and Mingshui Park. 3. Road Greening and Beautification (1) Green Embellishments for Streets and Roadways throughout the City There are 90,371 street trees in Taipei. A Visitors appreciating flowers at the greenhouse landscape exhibit budget of NT$91,000,000 was appropriated for reinforced beautification of roads and green spaces in 2013, which contributed to an area of beautification exceeding 130,000 square meters (including spontaneous gardening), including a total of 984 street trees, 209,522 bushes, lawns totaling 4,632 square meters, and 37,669 flowering potted plants.
(2) Adoption Programs The City Government encourages private Blooming Yoshino Cherry Blossoms Yearbook 170
Show in a Magical Password was held between December 14, 2013 and January 8, 2014 at the Yuanshan Park Area and Fine Art Park Area of the Taipei International Flora Exposition and 12 neighborhood parks in Taipei. Visitors were guided through a beautiful and imaginary world of flowers with “magic”. 5. Streetlight Construction and Maintenance (1) Streetlight Addition Program Based on the budget available for 2013, 2,363 streetlights were designed and 1,415 were The must-visit floral bell installed.
(2) Streetlight Power Source and March 17, 2013 to mark a blessed beginning of a new year and to pray for the best of luck in Box Integrated Rods the Lunar New Year. Approximately 1,136,000 Among the existing 10,151 power source tourists visited the festival. boxes, rod integration was completed for 96 of them in 2013. A total of 4,744 have been (3) The Chrysanthemum Show at the completed so far. Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence (3) Carbon Reduction and Energy- The 2013 C.K.S. Shilin Residence with Greatest Chrysanthemum Show was held Saving LED Streetlights between November 17 and December 1, 2013, There are a total of 151,248 streetlights with 12 carefully decorated major exhibits to and park lights in Taipei. Among them, 45,000 present diversified Chinese and western styles. had been replaced by LED lights as of 2013, Around 430,000 visitors went to the show. which saves 29,560,000 kWh of electricity and NT$49,050,000 worth of electricity bills each year (4) The Taipei Flower Show and reduces carbon emissions by 18,560,000 The 2014 Taipei Flower Show - Flowers kilograms.
Sporadic improvement and facility maintenance Cute chrysanthemum Yuan Zai The King of Magic outcomes at rivers and gutters 171
6. Soil and Water Conservation for quality and healthier life, the Geotechnical Engineering Office, Taipei Public Works Disaster Reduction Department has been proactively enforcing its mountain-friendly policies by improving the (1) Potential Debris Flow Torrent green spaces available for people to take a To prevent floods and disasters, potential rest along 130 mountain-climbing trails totaling debris flow torrent and facility maintenance around 101 kilometers in length in Taipei. Inspired projects were embarked upon to reflect by the notion of “one trail one characteristic” and the existing natural ecology in the field. All placing the emphasis on their diversified natural construction had been completed by September ecology, humanity, and historical characteristics, 12, 2103. They are part of the local landscape the trail along Green Lake in Neihu District and and exercise the function of flood prevention, the circular trail around Camphor Lake were while at the same time conserving the natural completed in 2013. ecology. (2) Yuanshan Scenic Area - "Three (2) Resuscitating Unique Streams Great and Ten Beautiful Aspects to be New Recreational – Ten Landscapes at Yuanshan Choices in Taipei The Taipei City Government spent three years To reinforce river soil and water conserving planning and restoring the Yuanshan Scenic constructions and facilities in 119 water Area. Featuring 3 great and 10 beautiful aspects catchments in the Taipei area, improvement and – 10 landscapes at Yuanshan, 10 scenic spots facility maintenance projects for soil and water were built. Connected by hiking trails, the 10 conserving rivers were initiated. These projects scenic spots, both together and separately, will help to protect the public’s lives and property. form the characteristics of the scenic area and convey the meaning of the Chinese character 7. Profit-Oriented Small and Beautiful of “Yuan”, that is, a perfect 10. The 10 unique Projects spots offer residents in the neighborhood places to go for sports, leisure, and recreation and are (1) Unique Mountain-Climbing Trails integrated into the natural environment. The In order to provide the public with a better- scenic area was honored with the Quality Award in Environment Restoration and Conservation of the 2013 National Award for Excellence in Construction.
(3) Constructing a Quality Slopeland Agricultural Environment To increase the number of areas the public can visit for recreation and entertainment, 8 community workshops were held to obtain input from residents on how to improve the quality of the environment for agriculture on hilly land. Design and improvements were later done to reflect the local natural environment, humanity, and industrial backgrounds: A. Midway water ditches at Xishan in Shilin Image at the entrance to the Green Lake trail in Neihu District District were restored to provide irrigation Yearbook 172
Robust and water and serve as a hiking trail for local people. Part4 Comprehensive Public B. Cyclist rest areas were built so that cyclists Facilities can continue their adventures to Xishan, Pingdeng, and Jingshan Communities and feel the different auras in these agricultural 1. Water Supply Facilities villages. C. Hushan air-raid shelter in Beitou District was (1) Providing Water Supply to the restored with an air of ancient tranquility Beitou-Shilin Technology Park created by the restored external green square and Tamhai New Town in New and shaded boulevard and a combination of Taipei City and Enhancing Shilin the history of the two Chiangs (Chiang Kai- and Beitou Water Deployment Shek and Chiang Ching-Kuo). The Datong-Guandu Line transmission mains D. Circuit inspections and monitoring efforts were built in the Shilin and Beitou areas to bring the at the Baishi Lake area and the suspension daily transmitted water volume in Shilin and Beitou bridge in Neihu District were continued in areas to 400,000 tons and to form a dual-line order to ensure safety of the recreational water supply system with the existing water mains areas.
(4) Improving Slope Safety of Hillside Residential Areas To ensure the safety of residents who live on sloping land, gutters, dangerous trees, and related facilities by their houses are serviced and soil and water conservation facilities in the surroundings of houses on hilly land are routinely maintained to enable sustainable natural environmental remediation.
Shielding of water pipes along the Guandu Line
that makes mutual support possible. Sections 1 (from Datong Boosting Station to Yumen Street) and 2 (from Yumen Street to underneath Shuanxi Bridge) were completed in 2005 and 2012, respectively. Shilin District is currently capable of dual-system backup capacity. Construction of Section 3 (from the mouth of Shuang River to Dadu Water Distribution Tank) began in August 2012 and is expected to be completed in 2016. This will both realize the backup system by dual- line water supply and satisfy the water demand in newly developed areas such as the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park and Tamhai New Town in New Taipei City. Additionally, in keeping with the Taipei City Government’s disaster-prevention program, an emergency life support water supply station has Improving the safety of residential slopes on hilly land been reserved by the Shezi Riverside baseball field 173
and the flood plain on the left bank under Chengde Bridge. These units can be used to provide emergency water supplies during disasters. (2) The Zhitan Purification Plant Expanded to Improve Purification Redundancy Rate Hot spring foot spa pool at Beitou Quanyuan Park hot spring resource management fund to promote The construction of the sixth water purification hot spring resource management. In 2013, facility at the Zhitan Purification Plant will include 4 units, including the Taipei City Hot Spring a pre-treatment unit capable of processing Development Association, received subsidies 700,000 cubic meters of water per day, a rapid to conduct research and development, such as treatment unit, a 50,000-ton clean water cistern, hot spring resource conservation, management, and other necessary facilities. The project began and promotion of sustainable hot spring use. in May 2009 and was completed in September The collection and payment rates reached 100% 2013. The maximum water volume it can supply for 5 consecutive years, which is unparalleled is 1,005,000 tons of clean water daily. It helps in Taiwan. The access fees collected for 2012 improve water use security and stability in totaled NT$10,284,407 in 2013, as the collection Northern Taiwan and boosts the operating and payment rate reached 99.91%. flexibility of the Zhitan Purification Plant. (2) Assisting in the Establishment (3) Establishing a Dual-System Water of Hot Spring Acquisition Supply in Zhonghe, Yonghe, and and Supply Businesses Xindian Districts and Supporting As required for the Taipei City Hot Spring Water Use for the Second Management project, the Taipei City Hot Spring Stage of the Ban-Xing Plan Development and Operating Permit Application The water transmission pipeline along Review Commission was established to assist Anhua Xindian Line includes the transmission in the establishment of hot spring acquisition pipeline construction and extension projects. The and to supply businesses. The commission is in transmission pipeline construction project along charge of issuing development permits for hot Anhua Xindian Line was completed in October spring acquisitions and supplies, and reviewing 2012, while the extension project is still ongoing hot spring operating permit applications. 16 hot and is scheduled for completion in 2014. Once spring development permits and 5 operation the whole line is completed, the Anhua boosting permits were issued by 2013. station will replace the Zhonghe boosting station in supplying water for the Xindian area in New Taipei (3) Setting up Hot Spring City and will form a mutually supportive system with Foot Spa Pool Parks the Zhonghe boosting station. The dual-system Beitou Quanyuan Park is now equipped with water supply for Zhonghe, Yonghe, and Xindian a hot spring foot spa pool; over 400 visitors Districts will be in place to support the water use it daily, registering a satisfaction rate of demand for the Ban-Xing plan second stage. more than 97%. The park is now one of the most vital public leisure facilities in the locality. 2. Hot Spring Resources Management To address public expectations and promote (1) Implementing the Designated the diversified utilization of hot springs, the Department of Economic Development has Hot Spring Access chosen two additional sites, Fuxing Park and Expropriation and Fund Use Liuhuang Valley, for more hot spring foot spa The Taipei City Government established the pools. The basic design and detailed design Yearbook 174
were completed in August and October, 2013, emergency containment valves and pipeline respectively. The projects were successfully network connections to better prevent against contracted on November 18 and are scheduled disasters and facilitate service restoration. for completion in April 2014. Regular disaster-prevention exercises are conducted on a yearly basis. The four gas (4) Taiwan’s First Hot Spring companies also conduct routine, automated Crystals Product Line inspections and maintenance work on various gas storage, transmission, and distribution The Department of Economic Development facilities besides periodical pipeline inspections proactively supports the hot spring industry and replacements. In 2013, 6,066 kilometers of and leads Taiwan in investing in the diversified pipelines were inspected, and 62 kilometers of application of hot spring resources, and the the pipes was renewed, a replacement rate of registration of hot springs crystals in Beitou is 2.6%. Additionally, each gas company provides an unprecedented example. In 2012, the Taipei free, biennial household gas pipeline facility City Government completed due registration security checks. A total of 288,100 households process with the Intellectual Property Office of received inspections in 2013, and the companies the Ministry of Economic Affairs for the Beitou reinforced user safety education during security Crystallization of Hot Springs Place of Origin inspections to raise awareness about and Certification. In 2013, the Taipei City Government prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. received sponsorship from the Local Industry To ensure the safety of natural gas facilities Development Fund of the Ministry of Economic and prevent disasters, the Department of Affairs in 2013 to help develop the hot spring Economic Development regularly invites public crystals industry. The three-phase over three- safety experts and professionals from fire control, year development project includes establishment Taipei City Labor Inspection Office, and those of the Hot Spring Floret Place of Production involved in security to form a natural gas public Certification and the promotion and marketing safety inspection task force that runs spot checks of the city brand “I Love Taipei Hot Spring on pipeline layouts and maintenance at gas Flower”. In the same year, related business companies. Inspection results were generally owners and associations in the hot spring satisfactory in 2013. The 4 gas companies area of Beitou were assisted in the research have completed to undertake improvements and development of local hot spring crystals in accordance with the suggestions of the products. The Press Conference on Diversified inspectors and related agencies. Application and Innovation of Hot Springs was held on November 26, 2013. 4.Power Service and Gas Station 3. Natural Gas Utilities Safety Management The natural gas supply in Taipei comes The Taiwan Power Company has 3 operating from 4 companies, namely Great Taipei Gas centers in Taipei, servicing more than 1,160,000 Corporation, Yangmingshan Gas Corporation households. An emergency repair hotline, “1911”, Ltd., Shin-Hu Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., and was set up to provide instant, speedy service in Shin Shin Natural Gas Co. Ltd. These companies the event of a power cut. Citizens can call this have their own responsible districts. As of 2013, hotline on any landline within the city, and the call they supplied 660,772 households altogether, will be automatically connected to that particular with the gas volume amounting to 321,795,098 region’s repair unit for rapid service. cubic meters, accounting for around 64% of all In order to strengthening gas station safety households. Each of the gas companies in the management, inspections are conducted city has a central monitoring system in place continuously; 101 gas stations and 20 liquefied to readily keep track of the status of each gas petroleum gas stations received inspections in storage tank, gas pressure regulator station, 2013. The majority of these stations successfully and high-pressure pipeline gas supply, to passed the inspection, while those that failed ensure gas supply safety and gas transmission were able to rectify their failings and make service quality. In their operation zones, they improvements by the given deadline. set up 32 gas supply blocks configured with 175
Part5 Thoughtful Residential Placement and Land Use
units altogether. 1. Public Housing Program The Taipei City Government will continue Faced with the challenge posed by to build public housing units and optimize skyrocketing housing prices in Taipei, it has maintenance and management of the units by become an important core goal for the Taipei carefully selecting builders and outstanding City Government to safeguard its people’s architects to provide detailed design reflective of housing rights. Taking into account development the geographical location and regional demand experience in other international cities and of the construction sites. Universal optimal suggestions from experts and scholars, the residences qualified for green and intelligent Taipei City Government no longer builds houses buildings will be adequately planned taking for sale with regard to its housing policy. Instead, advantage of the parties’ expertise. In terms of it has adopted a diversified housing policy maintenance and management, private property featuring primarily rental assistance. In terms management companies will be authorized of the rental market, public housing for young to realize quality utilization, maintenance, and people and ordinary citizens is promoted. management services. In addition, the points Extensive housing allowances are provided to deduction management system is available enhance the affordability for apartment housing. to guide tenants through contract terms and In addition, the rental service platform is in place conditions and daily norms so that they can to assist in matchmaking landlords and tenants jointly maintain a tidy and clean public housing with medium-to-low incomes, realizing the goal of environment as well as a quality and tranquil life. providing tenants with suitable housing choices. In the promotion of public housing, the mid- 2. Enhancing Land / Property Use term goal is to have 4,808 public housing units completed, under construction, or being planned Efficiency in Taipei as of 2014. At present, there are 4 public housing areas available at Dalongtong, (1) Expropriation and Xingtian Temple Station, Dunhuang Station, Appropriation of Land and Wanlong Station. The rental of Jingwen The Taipei City Government actively public housing units has been available since processes land acquisition deals needed for November 2013 and contract signing and move- public infrastructure. In 2013, a total of 6 private in processes are expected to start in 2014. A land expropriation deals were completed: the total of 223 units will be available for rent at all deals expropriated 51 plots of land from 745 communities combined. As far as construction households; their total area was measured projects are concerned, the Ankang Social at 7.7 hectares, with compensation totaling Housing Community in Wenshan District is being NT$3,380,674,985. The City Government also renovated and rebuilt in planned phases. This completed 66 cases of public land appropriation three-phase construction project is estimated to and 235 plots, covering an area of 37.3 hectares, provide more than 3,000 housing units. Phase 1 in hopes of facilitating public infrastructure includes Section 1 (Foundation D of the original implementations. Ankang Public Housing Community) and Section 2 (the original Ankang Market) of Singlong Public (2)Taipei Zone Expropriation Housing. Section 1 is slated for completion in To accelerate the completion of Taipei’s June 2015 and will be able to accommodate urban planning blueprint, the City Government 272 units, while Section 2 is expected to be had undertaken 14 areas of zone expropriation completed in February 2017 to accommodate totaling around 781.2 hectares by the end of around 580 units. There are two additional new 2013. The completion of this project availed projects, Jiankang public housing in Songshan 215.4 hectares of land to construction, and District and Qingnian public housing in Wanhua 565.8 hectares were allocated for public facility Distric to accommodate around 777 housing construction, such as roadways, parks, and Yearbook 176
schools. The City Government is currently and Residential Area 12 in Beitou. working on zone expropriation projects covering the new community in Qiyan and Beitou- Conclusion Shilin Technology Park, the total size of which To realize the public’s desire for and pursuit is 106.9 hectares. Upon completion, 52.2 of advancement and to offer quality comfortable hectares of land will be available for construction roadway services for enhanced transportation projects, and 54.7 hectares will be allotted for convenience, the Taipei City Government construction of public facilities. The completion has proactively invested in various public of the redevelopment is expected to effectively infrastructure, such as the commissioning of boost land utilization, create land benefits, Shezi Bridge, the renewal of main roadway improve cityscapes, and normalize overall urban surfaces, and the improvement of sidewalk development. pavements. New parks and green spaces, enhanced greenery and beautification in the (3)Urban Land Consolidation surroundings of roadways have contributed The Taipei City Government has been to overall greening and beautification promoting urban land consolidation for over 40 accomplishments across the city. They help years. The land is allocated for public facilities build a colorful garden city with landscapes that that need to be built in the city, and typical are pleasant and easy on the eyes. In addition, projects also bear witness to the development the City Government has demonstrated creativity history of various major construction projects and great ideas through various flower shows in Taipei, such as the Taipei 101 skyscraper, and festivals, such as the Yangmingshan Flower Nangang Business Park, Taipei Neihu Technology Festival, to attract a total of over a million visitors. Park, National Taiwan Science Education Center, With disaster prevention and reduction as the Songshan Minsheng Community, Shilin Central ultimate goal, efforts have been reinforced to Community, and Songshan Station. These improve and manage rivers, perfect rainwater projects are substantial accomplishments in sewers and sewage systems, improve hilly urban land consolidation. By the end of 2013, land and fortify soil and water conservation, urban land consolidation had been completed promote comprehensive flood control, and for 39 blocks, totaling an area of 920.1 hectares enhance a variety of flood prevention and and offering around 544.4 hectares for building drainage constructions. All are meant to protect purposes. The land required for public the citizens’ housing and employment benefits, infrastructure such as roadways, parks, and while at the same time realizing sustainable schools, totaling around 375.7 hectares, was management of beautiful natural landscapes. also acquired. Urban land consolidation for a The riverside parks, riverside bikeways, and number of publicly operated, city-owned plots, unique mountain-climbing trails restored in including Wenshan District Phase 1, Nangang scenic areas are additional hydrophilic and District Phase 3, and Neihu District Phase 9, are mountain-friendly recreational facilities to actively promoted. The Taipei City Government diversify outdoor places that Taipei residents also proactively encourages land owners to can take advantage of and help satisfy the organize their own consolidation associations public’s entertainment and educational needs. and engage in urban land consolidation as part Public utilities such as water supply, natural of the incentive for civil society to take part in gas, and power facilities, on the other hand, urban construction, which not only helps bring promote industrial development and drive urban in abundant private capital and manpower but prosperity, while public housing and green also contributes to the establishment of regional buildings help enhance housing quality and identity as a result of spontaneous public satisfy the public’s housing needs. The countless involvement to promote local construction, administrative accomplishments are consistently development, and prosperity. In 2013, demonstrating the Taipei City Government’s assistance continued for spontaneous urban commitment to public infrastructure. Let’s keep land consolidation at the Nangang section in our eyes open for a transformed Taipei, which Nangang District, Yucheng in Nangang District, is currently undergoing changes to become an Huaisheng in Daan District, Residential Area 6-6 even more livable city. in Shilin District, Shitan Borough in Neihu District,