TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) announced Tuesday (July 9) plans to safeguard the development of the Zhongshan Shopping District (中山商圈). The city's Department of Urban Development (都發局) will address issues through a comprehensive urban planning review.
Recently, 60 businesses in the Zhongshan Shopping District accused developers of filing numerous complaints about illegal operations, allegedly to destroy the district and force landlords to sell their properties for redevelopment. The district, centered around Taipei MRT Zhongshan Station (台北捷運中山站), has become a popular shopping destination for young people.
In April, businesses in Zhongshan District (中山區) received notices from the city government stating their road widths did not comply with Taipei's land use regulations. The notices required compliance within two months or face fines of NT$60,000.
Business owners initiated a petition to combat the crisis. A local coffee shop owner revealed that some businesses could not meet the road width requirement of 8 meters and would be fined NT$60,000 after the deadline, resulting in temporary closures.
Kao Kuo-feng (高國峯), head of the Division of Building Management (都發局建築管理科), stated that local businesses hope to address residential violations through legal channels. Organizations within the district can apply for public safety and fire safety reports, and if they meet the criteria, they can adopt a point-based system. The department will consider a comprehensive urban planning review.
The Department of Urban Development emphasized that no redevelopment applications have been filed. Any redevelopment must follow proper procedures and obtain the consent of property owners.