A residential building in Taipei’s Neihu District (內湖) has been approved for demolition more than a decade after it was first flagged as unsafe by city engineers.
The Neihu Mingyuan Building, on the northwest side of the traffic circle on Gangqian Road, is one of many Taipei buildings constructed with concrete mixed with ocean sand instead of river sand, which is normally used. Sea sand is not considered safe for construction, as it has low compressive strength, and tends to absorb moisture from the atmosphere.
The building was initially identified to be razed in July 2010, and the building’s owner was ordered to vacate the premises before July 29, 2012.
Photo courtesy of the Taipei Urban Regeneration Office
However, a legal case delayed the demolition. The building’s tenants in 2015 sought to have Hercci Group reconstruct the property, but they were unable to agree on terms. The residents then worked with Shihlin Development to apply for an extension from the city.
After deliberations, Shihlin in 2018 reached an agreement with 80 percent of the tenants, and announced plans to begin work on Nov. 26, 2020. The city approved those plans, but the building’s owner filed an administrative lawsuit with the Taipei High Administrative Court, which overturned the city’s demolition order.
The city filed an appeal, saying that it was necessary to raze buildings constructed with sea sand to protect the safety of residents. The city won, and on Dec. 6 last year announced that demolition would proceed.
The Taipei City Urban Regeneration Office approved the demolition on Jan. 12, saying it was communicating with residents.
“A small number of households still have doubts and concerns about sharing the burdens of the project and the distribution of property rights,” the office said.
“The city will conduct a rigorous review of the plans to ensure the rights and interests of all sides,” it said.
Mediation meetings with the residents, the building owner and the contractor would be held as necessary, it added.
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