Taipei Mayor Defends City's Green Coverage Amid Criticism

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has defended his administration's greening initiatives, announcing that the city has planted over 13,000 trees in the past two years. This effort aims to bolster the city's green infrastructure and create more comprehensive urban green corridors. Chiang stated that an additional 3,555 trees are scheduled for planting by the end of next year, reinforcing the city's commitment to environmental enhancement.

The mayor's remarks were made during a special report to the city council, addressing concerns about Taipei's green coverage rate. A candidate from the Democratic Progressive Party had previously criticized the city, citing a green coverage rate of only 18%, placing it second-to-last among Taiwan's six major municipalities. Chiang countered by emphasizing a shift in focus from merely increasing the quantity of greenery to ensuring these spaces provide tangible benefits, such as shade and reduced heat.

Chiang highlighted the city's strategy, which includes integrating roads, parks, street trees, and riverbanks into a unified urban greening plan. The administration is prioritizing the planting of more mature trees and developing vertical greening solutions on buildings. This approach seeks to create a more livable and resilient Taipei, capable of mitigating urban heat island effects and improving air quality. The mayor also mentioned ongoing efforts to encourage green roofs and facades, further integrating nature into the urban fabric.