Titled “Effects of the Development of Taipei City’s Shezi Islet on Flood Prevention in the Taipei Area,” the plan was approved during a meeting of the Council for Economic Planning and Development on the coordination of key rivers in Taiwan Jan. 5.
“With this development project, Shezi will become Taipei’s Manhattan in years to come,” said Hau as he made the announcement.
Shezi, a low-lying sandbar located at the junction of the Danshui and Keelung rivers, has had limited development work due to bans on construction around the islet related to river dredging concerns.
Freed from old regulations now, the islet will be developed according to several sub-plans, with a budget of NT$70 billion (US$2.2 billion) over 11 years’ time.
Some 240 of Shezi’s 294 hectares will be built up with earthfill in four zones, raising the islet’s present basic elevation from two meters to 8.15 meters. This will not only meet the highest standard as regulated, but will be enough for the next two centuries even if the sea level continues to rise.
The remaining 54 hectares of land will become a large green park, which will serve as a buffer area when flooding takes place. This will make Shezi the only community bordering on a river in Taipei City without retaining walls.
As revealed by an official of the Department of Urban Development of the Taipei City Government, other sub-plans include public transportation work, such as the Shezi Bridge and a light-rail metro system, as well as the development of the entertainment sector, to attract consumers from the neighboring Beitou-Shihlin science and technology park. With these improvements, the city government is confident of attracting domestic and international investment to the area.
As to the relocation of the over 3,800 households, Hau said new residences will first be constructed in zones where the islet’s elevation has been raised, for interim settlement during the project period. Shezi residents will be offered below-market prices on housing in these areas. Only when they are resettled will the city government begin demolition of their old homes.
The project must still go through further revision of its details before being reviewed by the Cabinet. Work will begin once final approval is obtained. Preliminary achievements in the development of the islet will be seen in three to five years, officials said. (TYH-THN)