Announcements
1. The Department of Urban Development's report on government-led urban renewal (refer to written sources for details)
Decision: Approved for reference filing
Mayor’s remarks:
(1) Social housing is a significant component of President Tsai's political agenda and her commitment to the people of Taiwan. It is also an instrument for realizing housing justice. Government-led urban renewal is the most transparent and effective means of revitalizing idle land and meeting urban development demand. Through this approach, we'll be able to build more public facilities in Tainan City, including social housing, parking lots, parks and green spaces, and roads, to enhance the quality of life in Tainan.
(2) The first social housing project in Tainan City commenced in 2019. We expect to have completed (or in the process of completing) between 2,500 and 2,800 units by the end of 2022, and even more to come by 2025. However, solely relying on government resources to build social housing increases government spending exponentially and forces the government to take on substantial public debt. We know this from other cities and counties that have accrued immense financial debt to pursue housing justice. By comparison, Tainan City Government has the least amount of spending for the acquisition of public housing. We assist the central government in revitalizing old military-dependent villages, allowing us to acquire social housing economically while creating business opportunities for private companies, promoting the prosperity of our streets and alleys, and providing affordable housing for citizens in need. Our rental policy for social housing prevents speculation and creates a four-way win for the central government, local government, private enterprises, and citizens of Tainan. I anticipate the continuing promotion of this housing policy.
2. The Agricultural Bureau's report on the promotion of the Tainan City Rural Regeneration Program (refer to written sources for details)
Decision: Approved for reference filing
Mayor’s remarks:
(1) Tainan City is the largest agricultural hub in the Chianan Plain. To cope with challenges and changes brought about by our inclusion in the CPTPP and agricultural upgrade, we need to reinforce the competitiveness of our agricultural products and redirect talent and labor to rural communities. Agriculture, farming villages, and agricultural products are key aspects of our Rural Regeneration Program, which aims to curb rural flight, aging, and productivity slowdown.
(2) I would like to thank the Agricultural Bureau for promoting the Rural Regeneration Program. Tainan now has the most communities approved by the program than any of the six municipalities. Through the Rural Regeneration Program, I anticipate closer collaboration between central and local agencies to revamp our rural communities and improve the competitiveness of our farmers and agricultural industry in the future.
(3) I ask that relevant bureaus and departments combine their resources, such as the Community Renovation Project hosted by the Bureau of Urban Development, the Innovation and Incubation Base of the Economic Development Bureau, and the Rural Incentive Program and Rural Tourism Program organized by the Tourism Bureau, to direct young professionals to rural communities, change the appearance of our farming villages, promote industrial upgrade, and highlight recreational and tourism value. For example, the drama The Making Of An Ordinary Woman revitalized Jingliao, Houbi. Although dramas inevitably end, the cultural benefits and challenges that remain in the communities can fundamentally change their outlook and development.