Department of Urban Development, Taipei City Government

The urban design system of Taipei City is established and managed in light of its three dimensional sensory meanings, the efficacy of its land use, and its prospective vision and opportunities. The goal of the urban design system is to create a high quality urban environment for the purpose of satisfying the citizens’ prospect toward their everyday living space. Two major approaches are implemented to establish and manage the urban design system in Taipei City, which include:
(a) creating the Urban Design Guidelines according to the unique characteristics of an area or an urban setting; and
(b) implementing the Urban Design Review framework.
Urban Design Guidelines of newly developed zones, urban renewal zones, and other specialized zones are subsequently created since the inauguration of the Urban Design Review system in 1982. The existing Urban Design Guidelines include sub-central Xinyi Planning District, Keelung River and Reclamation Land Area, Taipei Station Area Special District, Nangang Economic and Financial Park, S.Y.S Memorial Hall Area Special District, Dadaocheng Historical Preservation Special District, and Muzha Second Phase Redevelopment Area. These guidelines are formulated according to unique regional characteristics in terms of regional activities and urban spaces. The guidelines aim to create localized and living spaces for the citizens. The total area currently within the scope of Urban Design Review system is 1426.39 hectares, which constitutes 10.64% of Taipei City land area.
Urban Development Department also formulates the Accessory Urban Design Review Guidelines, including guidelines for pedestrian overpass, underpass, for development of hill parks, and for management and maintenance of public open spaces. Moreover, Taipei City is able to regulate and enforce the obligation of the landholders to maintain the lands prior to any development. The legal power is given by (1)the regulatory system for the open spaces of the completed public facilities and (2)the Guidelines to Manage the Construction to Open Spaces.
Urban Development Department, in combination with Urban Design Review Committee, effectively reviews the development approval application in terms of the lands, buildings, open spaces, urban fabric, landscape and movement framework of the applied development areas.