Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) is on a homestay in the Shezidao (社子島) peninsula in Taipei’s Shilin District (士林) to experience the everyday life of Shezidao residents and has reiterated his determination to channel urban renewal efforts in the former development-restricted area.
Ko is staying with a family surnamed Wang (王), who live in a historic building more than a century old and features meandering corridors that lead to interlinking rooms.
Ko said the purpose of his homestay is to demonstrate his resolve to push through rehousing efforts in Shezidao and to gather public opinion ahead of a plebiscite asking people to vote on one of three urban renewal plans unveiled last month by the Taipei Department of Land, with the vote to take place after the Lunar New Year.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
Ko said that a building restriction has been imposed on the Shezidao area for 45 years and the Taipei City Government has put a lot of resources into improving the homes of residents.
Because the peninsula is in a flood-prone area, building is prohibited and houses that predate the ordinance are in a dilapidated state.
Ko also visited a small bungalow built on a slope beneath a tree, its roots sprawling across the roof.
An elderly woman surnamed Lee (李), who lives in the house, said it was built in 1924 and her family of 13 live there.
A man surnamed Wu (吳) said that he had been hoping the house would be rebuilt since he was young, but the terms set forth by the department for residents to purchase settlement houses are not very well planned.
Under conditions set forth by the department, one household can purchase one settlement housing unit at prices lower that the unit’s market value, as long as the household has a kitchen and a bathroom.
However, Wu said it is common for several households to share one kitchen or bathroom in Shezidao, not to mention families who use public bathrooms.
Wu said houses belonging to him and his brother share one address, which means that they would only be allowed to purchase one resettlement unit, which he said is unfair.
Taipei Deputy Mayor Charles Lin (林欽榮) said the problem described by Wu is a predicament that can only be ameliorated by monetary compensation issued to residents when their houses are expropriated for the urban renewal project, or by granting residents, like Wu, the right to rent a public housing unit.
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