Taipei’s Daan District “Pedestrian Paradise” to Be Decided by Vote – Service to Halt If Over 50% Oppose

▲ Whether Taipei’s Daan District “Pedestrian Paradise” will continue will be revealed on the 17th. (Photo / Eastern News)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The “Pedestrian Paradise,” trialed in Taipei’s Daan District from August last year to January 11 this year, received strong support from most visitors and positive feedback. However, local shop owners and residents expressed opposition. On the 12th, the Taipei Department of Transportation announced that it will conduct a two-phase public opinion survey, and the initiative will be halted if the opposition rate exceeds 50%.

The Department of Transportation stated that to understand public opinions on the pedestrian zone, it will collect views from different groups. The first phase involves public participation in an “i-Voting” process, allowing anyone with opinions about the pedestrian zone to share their thoughts for reference by local shop owners and residents. As for whether to continue implementing the “Daan Slow Walking Pedestrian Zone,” a second phase of public opinion survey will be conducted, with the decision made by local shop owners and residents.

▲ Many local businesses said their income has significantly dropped since becoming a pedestrian-only zone. (Photo / Eastern News)

The first phase of public i-Voting will open for registration from midnight to 8 PM on January 14, and voting will take place from midnight to 4 PM on the 15th via the website (www.ivoting.taipei.gov.tw), with results to be announced that day.

The second phase will involve a questionnaire survey targeting local shop owners and residents, conducted from 10 AM to 4 PM on the 17th at the plaza in front of the Taipei Water Park. The survey targets shops within the five alleys of the Daan Pedestrian Zone and residents with household registration in Wensheng Li, Zhongzheng District, neighborhoods 5 to 10, and Shuiyuan Li, neighborhoods 1 to 2. The final decision will weigh shop owner and resident opinions equally at 50% each. If the overall opposition rate exceeds 50%, the “Pedestrian Paradise” measure will be discontinued. (News source: Central News Agency)