Taipei Mayoral Candidate's 'Urban Micro-Forest' Proposal Gains Attention from Artist Yoshitomo Nara

Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Po-yang has unveiled an ambitious policy proposal to transform the city into a greener, more sustainable environment by creating "urban micro-forests." The plan aims to implement the international "3-30-300" standard for urban forests, which focuses on ensuring visibility of trees from homes, increasing canopy cover, and guaranteeing access to green spaces.

The "3-30-300" standard means that every citizen should be able to see at least three trees from their window (3), the city should achieve a 30% tree canopy cover, and all residents should have access to a green space within a 300-meter walk (300). Shen's proposal also introduces the concept of "Shade Equity," advocating for the fair distribution of green resources and the right to shade across all city districts, not just along major thoroughfares.

Shen identified several challenges hindering urban greening in Taipei, including a low overall green coverage rate, restrictive procurement systems, fragmented responsibilities for tree management, a lack of transparent information on tree health, and insufficient communication with citizens. To address these issues, he outlined four key reform areas: legal and organizational changes, a tree-focused urban planning and smart management system, mechanisms for citizen and expert participation, and the recycling of wood waste.

The proposal has garnered international attention, notably from renowned Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara. Nara shared Shen's policy on social media, expressing particular interest in the term "Shade Equity," which he described as a fresh concept related to urban human rights. Nara also noted the policy's aim to increase tree canopy cover, reflecting a growing global concern for urban environmental quality and livability.