tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post5631183943315588226..comments2023-10-22T18:25:39.688+08:00Comments on The View from Taiwan: Chatting with Somebody: Professor Thomas LiouMichael Turtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-67004715825617549732009-03-05T23:06:00.000+08:002009-03-05T23:06:00.000+08:00I know someone form there.I know someone form there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-4382979125815592532008-04-22T19:06:00.000+08:002008-04-22T19:06:00.000+08:00Thank you Professor Liou! And thank you Michael f...Thank you Professor Liou! And thank you Michael for getting it out there. What an awesome interview. Really insightful. Maybe it could be published somewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-13086110258409877612008-04-22T17:36:00.000+08:002008-04-22T17:36:00.000+08:00<3 interview. Great feature. Keep them coming when you can. Very informative.阿牛https://www.blogger.com/profile/08403972286057197709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-24063105456071040042008-04-22T16:41:00.000+08:002008-04-22T16:41:00.000+08:00You asked: "What about a development like the one ...You asked: "What about a development like the one down in Mailiao?"<BR/><BR/>I'm curious... what development is happening in Mailiao? I'm interested in that area. Thanks. SQJScotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05334600910504159048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-68325216352515367002008-04-22T00:23:00.000+08:002008-04-22T00:23:00.000+08:00Thanks a lot for the comments. The future of Taiwa...Thanks a lot for the comments. The future of Taiwan's urban planning system as well as rural planning is really dependent on transparency and political wills. We are not there yet, but Taiwan as a nation with population five times more than Ireland and New Zealands will get there.<BR/><BR/>Thomas LiouAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-58859325602302379532008-04-21T23:42:00.000+08:002008-04-21T23:42:00.000+08:00Thanks for that interview! There were so many thin...Thanks for that interview! There were so many things that I always wanted to know in there.<BR/><BR/>Hmmm... seems kind of confusing, though, eh? As if the central government controls - what is seen as the most valuable thing to Chinese - the land. It is only they, along with their business comrades that control it!Shawn @SIDONIEYANGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08732137103645099062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-79952064758587702032008-04-21T00:22:00.000+08:002008-04-21T00:22:00.000+08:00i like this feature! keep it upi like this feature! keep it upAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-91859618973788569452008-04-20T21:29:00.000+08:002008-04-20T21:29:00.000+08:00Urban planning. The art and science of arranging t...Urban planning. The art and science of arranging the urban form. Or in some places letting powerful industries and property developers do what they want. With community groups added on to ensure 'transparency'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-33828683081211816222008-04-20T19:48:00.000+08:002008-04-20T19:48:00.000+08:00Thanks Mick, for the spot on the numhers! Just goe...Thanks Mick, for the spot on the numhers! Just goes to show the old truism that you can't edit your own work. <BR/><BR/>Thanks everyone! You can look forward to many more!<BR/><BR/>MichaelMichael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-82212233977121204342008-04-20T18:44:00.000+08:002008-04-20T18:44:00.000+08:00An interesting and informative read Michael, thank...An interesting and informative read Michael, thank you.<BR/><BR/> However, your numbers on allocation of resources do not seem to add up.<BR/><BR/> "$300 billion allocated by the central government to local governments"<BR/><BR/>"Taipei and Kaohsiung get 43% of the allocation"<BR/><BR/>"Taipei City, with 2.6 million, has an annual budget of $150 to $160 billion"<BR/><BR/>MickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-1960101831722192462008-04-20T18:04:00.000+08:002008-04-20T18:04:00.000+08:00Michael,May I suggest spacing out the dialogues fr...Michael,<BR/><BR/>May I suggest spacing out the dialogues from each person a little, e.g., by an empty line, for easier reading.<BR/><BR/>Very interesting read, by the way.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for putting this up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-81330964917344535642008-04-20T16:14:00.000+08:002008-04-20T16:14:00.000+08:00...Wow! I had no idea there was a thing called "u....<BR/>.<BR/>.<BR/>Wow! I had no idea there was a thing called "urban planning" in Taiwan (no disrespect to your guest). Seriously though. This is one area in Taiwan that needs to be improved upon immensely. And I'm not talking about the really big projects like the HSR (which also has it's questionable design aspects). Like a lot of things in Taiwan, there is no long-term vision with respect to shaping the cities to be better than what they already are (which is not exactly a lofty goal).<BR/><BR/>It is also interesting to note that your guest uses terms like "beautification projects" and "minor projects" with respect to creating boardwalks and spaces for comfort and pleasure. They seem to be looked at as merely cosmetic afterthoughts -- and not serious long-term projects for the betterment of society. A perfect example comes to mind in Keelung, where they erected this horrendous bathroom-stall monstrosity called a "parking garage" right in front of prime waterfront space. It is an eyesore for generations to come. But have no fear! Spending tax dollars on these tomb-like box light seats that change colour every 10 seconds will certainly distract from the ugliness down the road. These very important "beautification" projects should not be ad-hoc afterthoughts. These projects should be integrated within the urban design as a whole -- with careful attention to culture and history. <BR/><BR/>And what about the basic fundamentals, like adhering to things like "fire codes". Maybe it would be an idea to have enough space behind buildings so that emergency vehicles can actually gain access to them?<BR/><BR/>And wtf is with the lack of garbage bins in Taiwan? The mayor of Keelung had this ingenious idea to decorate them with flower pots -- another "beautification" project. What was he trying to do? Make the overflowing cans smell better? Hey -- here's an idea. How about having more than a dozen for a population of 600,000 people. And don't let me go off on the basic infrastructure like sewer systems that create a sweet aroma of humanity throughout these urban plans.<BR/><BR/>Anyhow, sorry to go off on a rant there -- but Taiwan has some of the ugliest cities in the world due to the lack of adequate urban planning. Now, whether it's due to the politicians interfering or lack of coordination at local / federal officials is another issue which may partially deflect the disdain I have for the practice of urban planning in Taiwan.<BR/>.<BR/>.<BR/>.skiingkowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05381159852660053893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-58292315531795121862008-04-20T15:43:00.000+08:002008-04-20T15:43:00.000+08:00Michael, that was massively informative and pleasu...Michael, that was massively informative and pleasurable to read, to boot. Nice work. I hope you do more of these in the future. <BR/><BR/>Robert KellyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-8656658840148100862008-04-20T13:49:00.000+08:002008-04-20T13:49:00.000+08:00Interesting interview Michael, I look forward to m...Interesting interview Michael, I look forward to more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-75695636885651462102008-04-20T11:41:00.000+08:002008-04-20T11:41:00.000+08:00Very interesting insight. Thanks for putting this ...Very interesting insight. Thanks for putting this together and sharing with us. <BR/><BR/>The part about the Taoyaun Airport project is what I am afraid of with KMT rule. Because they have full control of the LY and EY, they will just force whatever decision they want on the people. The people of Taiwan gave up this oversight. <BR/><BR/>I am also extremely weary of any casino projects. I think these are the dredges of society. Not only will they ruin families, but they will be used as money laundering sieves by the KMT.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-33276404638754805472008-04-20T10:40:00.000+08:002008-04-20T10:40:00.000+08:00Thank you sir, may we have another?Thank you sir, may we have another?Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09759067282582187193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-65465102343181662662008-04-20T09:01:00.000+08:002008-04-20T09:01:00.000+08:00Michael, very good interview and informative. Keep...Michael, very good interview and informative. Keep it going.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com