Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) yesterday instructed the Public Construction Commission (PPC) to implement eco-friendly standards in carrying out the government’s proposed record NT$599.6 billion (US$17.378 billion) in construction projects this year.
Liu made the remarks at a meeting with Cabinet officials on carrying out President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) plan to promote six emerging industries — tourism, healthcare, biotechnology, green energy, culture and creativity, and agriculture.
Later yesterday, Liu reiterated his concern on the possible impact of construction works on the environment at a conference organized by the PCC to solicit public opinions on the projects covered by the funding.
Chen Chang-po (陳章波), a research fellow at Academia Sinica’s Biodiversity Research Center, told the conference that the projects reflected the government’s focus on economic growth while ignoring environmental sustainability.
Chen said the government should promote eco-friendly measures by installing at least one official with an environmental background to supervise each project.
Chiu Chin-sung (邱錦松), chief of the Industrial Technology Research Institute’s Energy and Environment Laboratories, questioned a program to renovate the country’s 61 aged industrial parks — 90 percent of which were built 15 years ago — saying the program might be a waste of resources.
“Lots of businesses have moved abroad and many are planning to do so. Renovating industrial parks will not change their mind. Do we really need that many industrial parks in an economic recession?” Chiu asked.
Chiu also criticized the government for allocating a large part of its transportation budget in building roads rather than electric-powered public transportation, which he said was inconsistent with the government’s call to save energy and reduce carbon emissions.
Taipei and New Taipei City government officials are aiming to have the first phase of the Wanhua-Jungho-Shulin Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line completed and opened by 2027, following the arrival of the first train set yesterday. The 22km-long Light Green Line would connect four densely populated districts in Taipei and New Taipei City: Wanhua (萬華), Jhonghe (中和), Tucheng (土城) and Shulin (樹林). The first phase of the project would connect Wanhua and Jhonghe districts, with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Chukuang (莒光) being the terminal stations. The two municipalities jointly hosted a ceremony for the first train to be used
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