Taiwan county builds 'wind corridors' to combat rising heat

Nantou County in Taiwan is pioneering a "wind corridor system" to combat the escalating impacts of global warming and frequent heatwaves. In partnership with a research team from the Academia Sinica, the county government is integrating regional ventilation characteristics into its urban development and land use planning.

The initiative aims to create a cross-county system that channels cool air from mountainous areas into urban centers. This strategy is designed to mitigate heat buildup and enhance nighttime cooling in cities like Taichung and Changhua. Nantou County, being landlocked and largely mountainous, faces significant challenges from extreme weather events, making traditional single-city planning insufficient.

Researchers from Academia Sinica, National Cheng Kung University, and National Changhua University of Education utilized geographic information, land use data, and urban microclimate analysis to develop the system. Their findings revealed natural wind corridors influenced by topography, which can be systematically managed to bring cooler air from the mountains into plains.

This project positions Nantou County as the first in Taiwan to adopt a regional governance approach to climate adaptation. The county government held a results presentation and workshop on May 28 to discuss localized strategies, incorporating input from various government departments and research teams. Future plans include promoting ventilation path preservation, building setback regulations, and other design concepts that enhance urban resilience and create sustainable living environments.