Thirty-five roads in Taipei City will be transformed into green boulevards during the next four years at a cost of NT$70 million (US$2.4 million), Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin announced May 24.
The aim is to promote greening of the city, allowing citizens to be closer to nature, Hau said, explaining that “beautification of the environment is important, as looking at green scenery can ease one’s mind.”
“Trees can also help save energy and cut carbon dioxide, sustain city development and attract tourists,” added an unnamed official at the city government’s Parks and Street Lights Office.
According to the official, 17 of the 35 boulevards will be greenified this year. “Four of the 17 boulevards will be flanked by shrubs and trees, so will the traffic islands, while another four will have new soil suitable for plant growth,” the official said.
“The remaining nine are already very shady, but they lack variety, so more flowers will be planted along the road,” the official added.
Evergreen, shade-tolerant, deep-rooted and nondeciduous trees, such as the Formosan ash and the round leaf holly, are especially suited for roads, the official explained, adding that after the plan is completed Taipei City will have more than 90,000 trees.
In 10 to 20 years, when the trees have fully grown, residents of Taipei will be able to enjoy a greener city, the official said. (HZW)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw