President Lai pledges 5 billion NTD for urban renewal and disaster resilience.

At the handover ceremony of the Taipei Architects Association, President Lai Ching-te attended and delivered a speech on the 13th, stating that the government will continue to promote urban renewal, the reconstruction of aging and dangerous buildings, and a NT$5 billion old-house life-extension program. He expressed hope to maintain close communication with the association to better align related policies with industry needs and work hand in hand to enhance urban resilience. This move notically highlights the government's high priority on building safety and urban renewal, while also underscoring the critical role of professional associations in urban planning and execution.

Taiwan's issue of aging buildings has become one of the primary challenges for urban development. Since the 1990s, the number of aging residential and commercial buildings in major metropolitan areas such as Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung has increased sharply, with many structures exceeding their design lifespans and appearing vulnerable in the face of natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. To address this, the government launched the "Dangerous and Old Building Reconstruction" program in 2018, combining local government and private capital to encourage the demolition or renovation of hazardous buildings while preserving the cultural value of historical structures. These initiatives not only improve living safety but also create new development space for urban renewal.

The old-house life-extension program targets residences that still retain residential functions but suffer from structural aging, providing technical and financial support to assist owners in carrying out structural reinforcement, energy-saving retrofits, and disaster-prevention facility upgrades. The government has allocated NT$5 billion in funds across counties and cities nationwide, establishing specialized technical advisory teams to assist owners in formulating life-extension plans. This program not only extends the service life of older homes but also reduces environmental pollution and resource waste following demolition, aligning with the concept of sustainable development.

In his speech, President Lai specifically mentioned that as a community of gathered professionals, the Architects Association possesses rich design and construction experience, enabling it to provide practical advice and technical support to the government. Through two-way communication, the government can more accurately grasp industry needs and prevent policies from disconnecting from practical realities. At the same time, architects can exert their professional influence during the policymaking process, ensuring the scientific validity and executability of regulations and standards. This model of cooperation will help elevate overall urban resilience and mitigate the risks posed by natural disasters and aging buildings.

Moving forward, the government will continue to expand the scope of urban renewal and old-house life extension, integrating smart city and green building technologies to forge safer and more energy-efficient living environments. Cooperation with the Architects Association will also further drive innovation in architectural design, promoting industry upgrading and job creation. In summary, through the consensus and collaboration between the government and professional associations, Taiwan's urban spaces will achieve a more balanced development between preserving history and enhancing safety.