Chiang Wan-an proposes relocating Songshan Airport, lawmaker Shen Po-yang demands practical solutions

Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an recently proposed the idea of relocating Taipei Songshan Airport, which immediately sparked heated discussions in political and local circles. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Puma Shen, in an exclusive interview with media personality Chao Shao-kong today, was once again asked about the high-profile issue regarding the future of the capital's airport. During the interview, Shen stated bluntly that regarding the future direction of Songshan Airport, a complete alternative plan must be established first, and the initiator and decision-maker who proactively raised this major issue should clearly and thoroughly explain the complementary measures, rather than only discussing a vision while lacking practical and feasible planning.

Established during the Japanese colonial period and having gone through various stages including military, civilian, and joint military-civilian use, Songshan Airport has long played a crucial role in Taiwan's domestic transportation, connections to outlying islands, and the defense of the capital. However, with the high-density development of the Taipei metropolitan area, the existence of Songshan Airport has also been accompanied by numerous controversies, including height restrictions on buildings beneath flight paths, noise pollution, and limitations on land use in the city center. In past elections, relocating Songshan Airport has often become one of the grand visions proposed by politicians. Yet, due to its involvement in complex dimensions such as national defense security, airspace management, Taoyuan International Airport's capacity, and the capital's transportation network, successive governments and local leaders have mostly maintained a conservative stance, failing to take substantial steps forward.

This time, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has once again brought the issue to the table, reigniting debates across all sectors of society. Proponents of relocation argue that Songshan Airport covers a vast area of land, and if it could be relocated, the released land could be used for urban renewal, the construction of social housing, the creation of large green spaces, or the development of technology parks, which would be of immense help in alleviating the pressure of Taipei City's land scarcity and dense population. Furthermore, the flight paths of Songshan Airport cut right through downtown Taipei, impacting the quality of life of surrounding residents and building heights for years. However, opponents or those with reserved attitudes point out that Songshan Airport possesses a geographical advantage, serving as an indispensable lifeline for people traveling to and from outlying islands such as Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu. Moreover, in terms of national defense preparedness and emergency response, the capital's airport holds irreplaceable strategic value.

In the interview, Shen stated his core stance on the issue, emphasizing that when facing large-scale infrastructure adjustments where moving one part affects the whole body, the decision-making logic must be built upon pragmatic evaluations. He believes that discussing the future of Songshan Airport cannot be reduced to mere slogans. If relocation is to be discussed, the primary task is to propose concrete and feasible alternative plans. These plans must cover technical issues such as how to guarantee the transportation rights of outlying island residents, how existing routes would be diverted to Taoyuan International Airport or other airports, and whether Taoyuan Airport's capacity is sufficient to bear the load. Shen pointed out that since Chiang Wan-an raised this issue, he bears the responsibility to clearly and thoroughly explain it to the citizens and the general public, laying out the complete supporting measures under the sun for public scrutiny, rather than stopping at political rhetoric or abstract urban imagination.

From the perspective of politics and urban development, the resurgence of the Songshan Airport relocation issue highlights the structural contradictions in land use, national land planning, and transportation policies within the capital circle. On one hand, citizens' desires to improve their quality of life, expand green spaces, and enhance urban spaces are growing increasingly intense. On the other hand, national security, regional balance, and practical transportation convenience are major responsibilities that the government cannot evade. Shen's remarks not only pointed out the blind spots in the current policy debate but also redirected the focus toward the urgency of policy implementation details and supporting measures, adding more room for rational discussion to this long-standing and difficult debate over the positioning of the capital's airport.