One of Taiwan's unique architectural features -- buildings that integrate pedestrian walk-ways into their ground floors -- have come under the spotlight after the 921 earthquake. Government officials continue to disagree over their advantages and disadvantages, and of their influence on a building's earthquake resistance and value in terms of cultural heritage.
Officials from the Taipei City government's Bureau of Urban Development asked the Bureau of Public Works yesterday to think twice before scrapping the regulations requiring overhangs in buildings along major roads.
The officials were responding to reports that the city's public works bureau plans to scrap the overhang regulations for 42 major roads in Taipei.
The overhangs are a unique feature of Taiwan's urban landscape, developed in response to the island's wet, humid climate, the officials said. Scrapping the regulations or banning overhangs will bring tremendous changes to the city's streetscape, the officials said.
Also, there is no architectural evidence that overhangs factor in a building's earthquake resistance, the officials argued.
Current regulations require all buildings along streets wider than seven meters to have overhangs.
They provide shelter for pedestrians during heavy rains and help improve building ventilation.
But management of the overhangs has been difficult, due to the reckless parking of motorcycles and residents using the space for private purposes, the officials said.
Meanwhile, the Kaohsiung and Taichung city governments seem to be more in agreement over the issue. Both governments are leaning toward either scrapping the regulations or imposing a partial ban on overhangs.
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