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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Taipei Public Works Slams Candidate's 'Skyline' Trail Remarks as Amateur

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Taipei City's Public Works Department criticized a mayoral candidate's remarks on hiking trails, calling them unrealistic and harmful to nature.
  • The department defended its trail network, stating it connects existing paths to minimize environmental impact and improve accessibility.
  • Officials highlighted recent improvements and high satisfaction rates among hikers, refuting claims of inaction and poor planning.

Taipei City's Public Works Department has strongly refuted claims made by a mayoral candidate regarding the city's hiking trails, particularly the "Taipei Grand Traverse." The department issued a lengthy statement, dismissing the candidate's assertion that the trail system has "disconnections" and suggesting his ideas were "imagination reaching for the sky."

The candidate's statement is indeed imagination reaching for the sky. True mountain lovers will absolutely oppose such an 'amateur' view.

— Public Works DepartmentThe department's response to the mayoral candidate's remarks on hiking trail connections.

The department argued that the candidate's concept of a "Grand Taipei Skyline" route, which would involve building new paths through rugged terrain, would "severely damage nature" and is both impractical and undesirable. Instead, the city has connected existing, older trails that were once used for transportation but are no longer in active use. This approach, officials stated, minimizes environmental disruption and integrates nature with culture.

The city government's protection of nature and minimization of damage to the mountains is a plan that combines nature and culture.

— Public Works DepartmentExplaining the rationale behind connecting existing trails instead of building new ones.

Responding to accusations of officials being unhelpful, the department countered that all points have been addressed. They emphasized that the city's 18 trail networks, comprising nearly all of the city's 155 trails, are accessible via public transport. The planning prioritizes adapting to terrain and user needs, offering both challenging routes and more accessible loops for families and drivers.

The candidate's suggestions are not 'road network planning,' but 'destroying the mountains.'

— Public Works DepartmentCriticizing the idea of building trails everywhere for specific access points.

The department also pushed back against the notion that the current administration has been inactive, listing recent developments such as new bridges, lighting improvements, and the introduction of new hiking badges and challenges. They cited an 80% increase in participation and a 96% satisfaction rate among hikers, urging the candidate to base his criticisms on evidence rather than "empty speculation."

Please do not arbitrarily use baseless words to harm the long-term efforts of Taipei City Government employees.

— Public Works DepartmentResponding to accusations of inaction and refuting claims of poor performance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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