Shen Boyang explains the 6 steps of "Cycle Update"! Bringing Taipei’s vision for the future

Taipei Mayoral Candidate Shen Boyang of the Democratic Progressive Party recently mentioned "infinite urban renewal" to spark discussion. He then posted on Facebook to let the public easily understand the six steps of "cyclic urban renewal" and to introduce to voters his vision for the future of Taipei's urban renewal.

Shen Boyang said on Facebook that for many citizens, urban renewal is a very complicated matter. From land consolidation, house valuation, to relocation and reconstruction, there are many issues that need to be considered. Moreover, many people are worried that they will have to wait for many years, and they will not know where to move after the house is demolished.

Shen Boyang said that he hopes that through the "cyclical replacement" method, willing residents can first move to a suitable new home, and then promote the renewal of the original base, reducing the burden of long waiting and repeated relocations, and explained the six major steps one by one:

Step 1: Take inventory of four housing sources

Shen Boyang pointed out that in the future, the city government will take stock of public land, old public buildings that need to be renovated, as well as public and independent housing resources, and gradually prepare houses for residents to exchange.

Step 2: Redistrict the renewal area, take inventory of needs and establish legal sources

Shen Boyang said that the city government will re-examine the scope of urban renewal areas so that communities that have been difficult to promote urban renewal in the past will also have the opportunity to participate in cyclic urban renewal. At the same time, it will also investigate residents’ needs for house replacement, take stock of locations suitable for building new residences, and discuss adjustments to relevant regulations and establish an operating mechanism for a housing exchange platform.

Step 3: Establish an exchange platform to allow residents to exchange houses fairly

Shen Boyang revealed that in the future, the city government will establish a house exchange platform and a fair valuation mechanism, so that willing residents can use the value of their original houses to exchange for new homes that better meet their living needs.

Shen Boyang said that residents can choose to "exchange the house" and exchange the property rights of the old house for the property rights of the new house; they can also choose to "exchange the rights" to exchange the land rights of the new house. If there is a price difference between the old and new properties, more will be refunded and less will be replenished according to the valuation results. Residents who need to make up the difference will also be provided with loan assistance to reduce the burden of house replacement.

Step 4: Build circular housing to allow residents to move in once

Shen Boyang said that in the future, the city government will build the first batch of exchange housing first, so that residents who meet the conditions and agree to the exchange can move directly into their new homes. Shen Boyang said that in the past, it was more likely to need to move to an intermediate housing first, and then move again after the reconstruction was completed. Circular City hopes to reduce such troubles so that residents don’t have to move again and again just for the sake of housing.

Step 5: The old house is rented and managed first, waiting for the integration to be completed.

Shen Boyang pointed out that after residents move into a new home, the original old house does not necessarily need to be demolished immediately. If the community still needs time to integrate, the city government can first lease and manage the old house through leasing and management, so that the old house can continue to function, such as as social housing, youth rental housing or community child care space, and then promote subsequent urban renewal after the integration is completed.

Step 6: Complete the housing and then invest, start the next round of updates

Shen Boyang said that after the reconstruction of the original base is completed, the city government will sell some of the legally acquired residences and reinvest the proceeds into recycling projects, while the remaining residences will be retained as the next round of exchange residences. In this way, after the first batch of residents completes the replacement, they can continue to assist the second and third batch of residents, giving more old communities the opportunity to continue to update.

Shen Boyang finally emphasized that the city government should take the initiative to provide assistance from taking stock of housing, establishing an exchange system, assisting with relocation, and completing reconstruction, so that citizens can have professionals to consult and discuss at every stage of urban renewal. They do not have to face complicated procedures alone, and do not have to wait hard for housing replacement, nor do they have to travel around for relocation. With the assistance and companionship of the government, they can settle into a new home with peace of mind.

Shen Boyang's article attracted many netizens to leave messages. Some people thought that Shen was really serious to the point of "diligence and caring for the people." Many people said, "I look forward to a new look in Taipei," "Company is really important," "Wanhua really needs it, please ask our mayor," and "Come on, Taipei will get along."

Step one: Take inventory of four types of housing sources.

Step 2: Redraw the update area, take inventory of needs and establish legal sources.

Step 3: Establish an exchange platform to allow residents to exchange houses fairly.

Step 4: Build circular housing to allow residents to move in one go.

Step 5: The old house is first leased and managed, waiting for the integration to be completed.

Step 6: Complete the housing and then invest in it to start the next round of updates.