The TV news talked about this yesterday, and it's in all the newspapers: President-elect Ma Ying-jeou has apparently welcomed suggestions that the Presidential Office be relocated, and that the building currently used for the purpose - the old Japanese governor's residence - be turned into a museum about the Japanese colonization era.
I'm not going to discuss the merits of the museum proposal. I'm more concerned about the environmental impact of moving the Presidential Office.
According to the China Post's report, the Guandu Plain in Taipei County was mentioned as an ideal site for a brand new Presidential Office. However:
"Some said it could cause communication problems and inconveniences for other government agencies and the people if the president's office is moved away from the downtown area of the capital city. The Presidential Office, a six-story red-brick building with a central tower, is within walking distance of the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the Judicial Yuan, the Finance Ministry, and the Central Bank."
Of course, civil servants and their bosses don't actually walk anywhere when they can drive or be driven. Still, if the distances are shorter, that's better for everyone.
"Real estate developers said the move will shift the commercial and realty development in the greater Taipei area. The plan will help bring faster development and prosperity to the Guandu area."
What about the birds? Guandu Nature Park is one of Taiwan's most-popular and best-known birding areas.
"The vast plain, lying to the west of Taipei City... has been left idle and undeveloped for many years."
That's typical Taiwanese thinking, I'm sad to say. A piece of land is "idle" - going to waste - if it's not being farmed or hasn't been built on. The idea that it might be visually appealing and be beneficial for those living nearby, never occurs to some people.
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2 comments:
I believe plans have existed for some time to develop Guandu as a second city centre for Taipei for some time. I think it is unsuitable for a number of reasons. The first you have mentioned regarding the sensitive environment of the area. Also it lacks good transport links and hinterland for further development.
I think the policy of developing Banqiao and Neihu to balance the development in Taipei is a good one and these would be much more suitable locations for moving government offices. Alternatively I think moving the capital to Taizhong, Tainan or Kaohsiung really deserves consideration.
I don't think the capital needs to be moved, but I think the government should allow/encourage civil servants to work from home. Very few do at present (I only know of one). Taiwan could do what some countries have done, and that is put the legislative or judicial branches elsewhere. Chile moved their congress to a small port city; South Africa's supreme court is in Bloemfontein. How about we put the lawmakers in Fengyuan, and the top courts in Miaoli?
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