Taiwan faces urban renewal challenges with aging houses

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan is grappling with the complexities of urban renewal as the number of houses over 30 years old has reached 4.83 million. The issue gained further attention following the April 3 earthquake in Hualien, prompting Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an to declare the onset of a "major urban renewal era" of the city.

However, the process is fraught with challenges, including stringent regulations, high construction costs, and varying levels of resident participation and rights concerns.

Housing expert Hsu Chia-hsin noted that some residents resist renewal projects fearing higher management fees and taxes post-renewal, which they might not afford. 

Lin Huang-chin, chairman of the Urban Renewal Promoting to Nationwide Association of Taiwan, emphasized the economic hurdles, pointing out that developers prefer locations where housing prices exceed NT$700,000 per ping (one ping equals 35.5 square feet) due to profitability concerns.

In New Taipei City, an average of 732 units are demolished annually, despite there being 830,000 old houses. At this pace, it would take 1,133 years to achieve comprehensive urban renewal. Conversely, Taipei has a faster renewal rate with an average of 1,722 units demolished annually. With 654,000 old houses eligible for renewal, it would still take 380 years at the current rate.

Developers and construction firms are urging the government to intensify its efforts in facilitating urban renewal, underscoring the need to enhance disaster prevention capabilities as part of their social responsibility.