The Evolution of Urban Regeneration
The history of urban regeneration in Taiwan
Urban regeneration has been viewed as an important strategy for urban development. The aim of urban regeneration is to utilize urban land with planning strategies, improve the physical, economic and environmental state of the cities and increase public interests. CPAMI (Construction and Planning Agency, Minister of Interior), the central authority of urban planning and urban regeneration, has devoted to the policy and development of urban regeneration in Taiwan in decades.
It has been more than ten years the Urban Renewal Act being taken effect. In this evolution process, several phases have been identified with critical importance. Nowadays, Taiwan is stepping forward to a summit of the urban regeneration , which is believed that could lead Taiwan to become one of the key players in globalization competition.
The legislation - Urban Regeneration Policy from 1997 to 1999
In 1974, the amendment of the Urban Planning Act was promulgated a chapter of "the urban renewal of the old city districts", which is recognized as the first milestone of the urban renewal legislation in Taiwan. However, the implement modes regulated in the chapter are insufficient to carry out the urban regeneration plans. Both modes, the land compulsory collecting and sectional expropriation, require funds and personnel which governments fell short of. Therefore, a system of encouraging private investment initiatives was launched, using the strategy of "construction agreement between property owners and developers". Still, acquiring the property of land along with the facilities attached remains the biggest obstacle in the field of urban regeneration.
In Nov. 1998, the president announced the Urban Renewal Act. In the Act, the rights transformation is established on a statutory basis. The systems and policies of urban regeneration in Taiwan have been formally activated since the launch of the Act.
Reconstruction of 921 Earthquake from 1999 to 2003
A violent earthquake (magnitude 7.3) struck Taiwan on Sep. 21, 1999 (later named the 921 earthquake). In the north and the center of Taiwan in particular, many people became homeless and lots of buildings were in desperate needs of reconstruction work. The catastrophe accidentally provided an opportunity to testify the Urban Renewal Act and the existing system. The Act and its renewal system were modified through the radical physical reconstruction of the disaster areas. There were more than 60 successful projects for in implementing the regeneration approaches to create a safe and high-quality living environment. After that, communities damage by disaster were actually aided to start their new lives by the Act.
The Growth of Urban Regeneration
Urban regeneration is reviewed as a national level urban development policy, the goals of those countries which tend to achieve 3 aspects:
1.Boosting economy
2.Rising environmental quality
3.Improving infrastructure and building construction
R.O.C(Taiwan) government follows the stream, announced several schemes to execute urban regeneration plan from central government to local authorities.
In 2009, CPAMI set up "i-Taiwan 12 Projects - Urban Regeneration Scheme", focusing on 6 national level flagship urban regeneration projects in 5 major cities in Taiwan. Meanwhile, CPAMI also set up more than government-led urban regeneration potential zones and assist publics to carry out community renewal projects. CPAMI hopes to establish a better economic cycle system, creative identity, unique style, and high living quality for all cities in Taiwan.
Urban Regeneration Acceleration Scheme from 2003 to 2008
Executive Yuan announced Urban Regeneration Acceleration Scheme on 25th, January, 2005. It contains 2 categories:
1. government-led regeneration projects
2. private-led regeneration projects
In the form of governmental organization, Executive Yuan set up an urban regeneration team in charge of the policy, goal, and strategy of urban regeneration. CPAMI is the main competent authorities of urban regeneration. Project Office of urban regeneration (POUR) is responsible for counseling and assistance.
CPAMI playing a key role of supervision declares government-led regeneration projects to adopt PPP for implementation. For those private-led regeneration projects, CPAMI and relevant responsive authorities provide counseling and assistance.
Urban Regeneration from 2009 to 2012
The goal of the project aims to expand urban regeneration from 'a block's reconstruction' to 'a region's redevelopment' as well as encourage the private sector to invest communities. Goals are briefly described as follow:
A. Reusing derelict or occupied national-owned land effectively
B. Providing job opportunities and increasing the growth of industries
C. Selecting potential area (MRT line, waterfront area, old city area, etc) to redevelopment
D. Assisting the publics to carry out community renewal project.
E. Subsiding public construction and property removing in a regeneration area
F. Improving environment and historical preserve to simulate the growth of economy
