Taiwanese hope that the high speed rail will lead to a spatial revolution, but this will only be possible if the government funds special allowances and incentives to encourage widespread land development.
Two main ways exist to obtain land for urban development: zone expropriation and urban land planning.
As land usually belongs to a number of owners, the issue of property rights makes acquisition a complex endeavor.
As a result, land is often divvided into irregular strips.
This makes it virtually impossible to develop a pleasing city skyline.
In addition to measures loosening restrictions on the amount of permissible floor space, the government should also implement measures on the transfer of development rights, review measures on architectural design near mass-transit stations -- similar to those in Taipei's Xinyi District -- and provide rewards and tax incentives for urban renewal in older downtown areas and areas surrounding mass-transit stations.
This would encourage land owners to cooperate with rebuilding and rejuvenation efforts.
The government should also offer large, low-interest loans to builders and developers.
It should even evaluate the feasibility of participating in such construction projects or providing subsidies.
Some famous cities around the world are known for their stunning urban landscapes.
The unique architecture of the buildings on their major avenues merges with the rest of their skyline and the horizon.
Fifth Avenue in New York, Avenue des Champs Elysees in Paris and the pencil-shaped skyscrapers in Chicago are some examples.
These buildings reflect the characteristics of the different stages of economic and cultural development in which they were built and have a beauty that has stood the test of time.
As for rural construction to enhance the landscape, the Lanyang Houses (
Taiwan should build upon the uniqueness of its industries and world-class companies . It could take pride in these by incorporating them into its urban image.
What a sight it would be for the high speed rail station in Taoyuan County if it were surrounded by structures that reflect international companies such as Eva Air, China Airlines, BenQ and Quanta Computer Inc, which has a headquarters that resembles an open laptop computer.
The government should transform the urban landscape in Hsinchu County and Miaoli County to make it better reflect the glass industry and wafer foundries in Hsinchu and incorporate the Hakka and Aboriginal culture in Miaoli County.
When train passengers pass through Taichung County and Changhua County on their way to Wujih Station, they should be able to spot twin ferris wheels symbolizing the Giant bicycle factory.
They should see an amusement park in the abstract shape of a sports car among the cluster of bicycle manufacturers far out on the Tachia Township horizon.
Further south, passengers should be greeted with the buildings of the Uni-President Group, the Food Division of Chi Mei Corp, in the shape of a shuttle and a liquid crystal display.
They should be able to see Japanese-style gardens along the plains in Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan counties, along with Taiwanese-style homes and farms.
At present, the nation's urban and rural landscapes are ugly.
Not only are Taiwanese desensitized to it, but the government's failed policies to encourage private participation in urban renewal is a bigger factor.
The urgent task at hand is to come up with a set of new measures to reward renovation of commercial, industrial, residential and agricultural communities.
Local residents should discuss and decide what the model house and farms should look like through electronic voting and in consultation with experts.
This process would help residents develop a sense of community and foster unity.
In cash-strapped villages or townships, successful international Taiwanese companies should donate money as a form of public charity to subsidize middle and low-income households by providing them with zero-interest loans as a way to give back to communities.
This should be initiated with legislation or by executive order.
The development of the high speed rail provides counties with an opportunity to revamp their appearance and attract tourism. This will be a dynamic, ongoing project that will span many years.
The winners will be those places with advanced architectural design and a talent for cultural creativity, where local government officials and residents are most driven and where democratic participation in the community is at its best.
People who cannot afford to pay rent for temporary housing during the renovation period should be allowed to live in free or low-cost module houses on government-owned land with convenient access to the public transportation system.
The government should also pass laws to eliminate the few minor obstacles that prevent the passage of legislation compelling land owners to participate so that the overall reconstruction can proceed as planned.
Chen Lee-in is a research fellow at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research.
Translated by Eddy Chang and Daniel Cheng
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