The Guandu Plains, one of Taipei's largest agricultural areas and known as the "lungs" of the city, are under threat from encroaching urban development. Local farmers and residents are pushing back.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Known as the lungs of Taipei,
00:03this tract of land called the Guandu Plains
00:06is one of the few remaining agricultural areas
00:09in Taiwan's expanding capital.
00:11It's five square kilometers in the city's north,
00:14still hosts a farming community.
00:17But with land at a premium,
00:19officials and developers have been looking
00:21to build up this area,
00:23a move that farmers here say would be
00:25disastrous for the city.
00:31In recent years,
00:33the neighborhoods around the Guandu Plains
00:35have rapidly developed,
00:37becoming more accessible with its connection
00:39to the city's metro system.
00:41But the nearest station is still
00:43three kilometers away from the Plains.
00:45And while there have been proposals
00:47to construct new government buildings
00:49and to even move the presidential office here,
00:52the city has not yet been able
00:54to do so.
00:56Locals have petitioned against it,
00:58and they have the support
01:00of agricultural officials.
01:17Agricultural officials say
01:19the vast greenery here
01:21counteracts the urban heat island effect
01:23and provides Taipei
01:25with natural carbon storage.
01:27The green space has now also
01:29fostered an educational environment,
01:31with local farms and educators
01:34introducing youth programs,
01:36offering children an opportunity
01:38to roll up their sleeves
01:40and learn about sustainable farming practices.
01:56By teaching children,
01:58the farmers and educators here
02:00hope to sprout a new generation
02:02of environmentally conscious youth,
02:04as they remain set on protecting
02:06the city's lungs
02:08from encroaching urban sprawl,
02:10upholding not just their unique way of life,
02:12but also the well-being
02:14of all who call Taipei home.
02:16Yixin Chen and Wesley Lewis for Taiwan Plus.