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Taipei's $700,000 sunshades draw ire: 'Giant enoki mushrooms' cost taxpayers millions

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Taipei plans to install 8 pedestrian sunshades in the Xinyi District, with each costing nearly $700,000 USD.
  • Critics argue the high cost, funded by the "Average Land Price Fund," is excessive and could be better used for social housing.
  • The design resembles "giant enoki mushrooms," drawing comparisons to expensive public art projects.

Taipei is set to install eight pedestrian sunshades across five locations in the Xinyi District, but the project has drawn sharp criticism over its exorbitant cost. Each of these structures, described by critics as resembling "giant enoki mushrooms," is reportedly costing taxpayers close to $700,000 USD (approximately 6.2 million New Taiwan dollars).

8 giant enoki mushroom-like sunshades, each costing taxpayers nearly 7 million NT dollars.

— Zhou XuanPolitical commentator Zhou Xuan revealed the total cost and criticized the expense of the planned sunshades.

According to political commentator Zhou Xuan, the funding for the eight sunshades, totaling $49.66 million NTD, is being diverted from the "Average Land Price Fund." An additional $9.91 million NTD has been allocated for design and supervision fees. This brings the total expenditure for the project to nearly $59.57 million NTD, with each sunshade costing an average of $7.45 million NTD when all costs are considered.

City councilor Jian Shu-pei first raised concerns about the price, initially stating each sunshade cost $6.2 million NTD. Zhou Xuan's subsequent disclosure of the full funding details, including design and supervision costs, revealed the even higher per-unit expense. Critics are questioning the necessity and value of such expensive installations, especially when compared to other public needs.

6.2 million NT dollars is equivalent to 6 Nieh Yung-chen projects, and that's still looking for more.

— NetizenA netizen commented on the high cost of the sunshades, comparing it to the work of a famous art director.

Netizens have reacted with disbelief and sarcasm, comparing the cost to other controversial public spending. One comment suggested that $6.2 million NTD could fund "six Nieh Yung-chen" projects, referencing a well-known Taiwanese art director. Many questioned why the funds weren't allocated to building social housing instead, with one user asking if the sunshades were "plated with gold."

Can someone tell me if this sunshade canopy is plated with gold?

— NetizenA netizen expressed disbelief at the reported cost of the sunshades.
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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