Taipei:The Taipei City Parks and Streetlights Office has provided detailed information on the transition plan for Songshan Airport after Mayor Chiang Wan-an's recent announcement to transform the area into an "AI park."
According to Focus Taiwan, Mayor Chiang, currently in a competitive re-election campaign, surprised many with his announcement on October 8 regarding the closure of Songshan Airport. The proposal outlined a redevelopment of the 300-hectare site into a 100-hectare AI industry cluster, a 90-hectare residential area, and a 110-hectare "Taipei Central Park," which would exceed the size of Daan Forest Park by more than four times.
The proposal, which was unexpected, faced criticism from Chiang's opponent as it marked a significant shift from his previous stance during his tenure as mayor and his time representing the legislative district that includes Songshan Airport from 2016 to 2022. On Monday, Kuomintang City Councilor Chin Huei-chu conducted a public hearing with city government department representatives to gather more information about the redevelopment plan presented to the City Council on October 21.
Officials revealed that the redevelopment plan was compiled by the city's Department of Economic Development. A representative from the parks office informed Chin that a feasibility study and preliminary planning would be necessary before advancing to the basic design of the proposed Taipei Central Park, given the project's magnitude.
Preliminary plans suggest that the park could include an agricultural zone offering "hands-on farming experiences" and extensive tree-planting to create an "urban forest." The park might also feature a central lawn for recreational activities, a wetland conservation area, a management center, and a historical commemoration site. Chin sought further details on the planning process, including who was responsible and the timeline of the work.
In response, the official clarified that the parks office only commenced planning for the park after receiving relevant information from the city government on October 8.
