都更人生之不可能和諧荒謬劇

都市更新在台北延燒，套句民眾戲語，已近全民起乩。十月二十七、八日台大學生會大規模舉辦「都更人生」論壇，邀請北市兩黨候選人發表看法，四百個席次的演講廳幾無虛席。「都更人生」標題如戲碼，卻不偏不倚呈現了都市更新在台北引起的荒謬故事，以及市府的規劃專業思考邏輯。論壇現場有公部門專業者無奈地表示抗爭民眾多為利益分配不均而佯裝弱勢、市府祭出容積獎勵只為了促進更新效率，立意良善；也有受害居民出席陳情，無法接受候選人和官員把都市更新都歸咎於市場機制，責因於偶發暴力事件，甚有民眾拿著自己社區內更新後的家戶坪數清冊，歷歷指陳權利分配不公，過程不透明。如同論壇中提到，都市更新不是建築更新，而是城市全面的體質轉變，以有增無減的爭執衝突來看，都市更新確實引起了市民社會的體質激變，讓人憂心。

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http://renewaltv.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/ursreview/

to summarize...

NPA invites social housing bids

PROTESTS:Civic groups accused the government and construction firms of ignoring the needs of the disabled who have very limited housing options

By Ted Yang  /  Staff Reporter

A disabled person holds up a sign, joining a protest with a group of non-homeowners outside the office of the National Property Administration in Taipei yesterday.

Photo: CNA

The National Property Administration (NPA) yesterday invited open tenders for the construction of social housing for students and the elderly based on the build-operate-transfer model, but drew criticism from civic groups, who said the government was ignoring the plight of the disabled.

The agency began collecting tenders for three plots of land located in prime areas in Taipei City, which will be leased out to build affordable houses, with royalties ranging from NT$837 million (US$27.2 million) to NT$29.44 million. The tenders are scheduled to be opened on Dec. 15.

Representatives of Raging Citizens Act Now (RCAN, 人民火大行動聯盟) accused the agency of currying favor with land developers and neglecting low-income students and senior citizens, as well as excluding the disabled from the social welfare project.

Debates on naming : "social housing" or "affordable housing"?

On an island where social housing has not been promoted or even recognized, debates on social housing grew with heating politics caused by impending elections of five major metropolitans in the end of this year. It involves a major question, "what is social housing?" and thereby "who should be considered in the envisioning of social housing?" Many people would suggest the minority. However, this term fails to address the emerging picture of the whole scene either.

There are groups asking housing right for young people, poor students, and the elder. On the other hand, many sub-groups who belong to the minority feel left out such as the disabled community. 

There is also issue of labeling- or to be more strait-forward, stigmatizing. The discourse goes as follows, social housing is desperately in need, yet social housing should not be provided like an enclave locating on the edge of the city. It should not be planned as a concentration camp where all of the powerless live outside of the majority's eye sight. However, people who concern for land rent gap like developers argue that expensive land in the city center should be fully developed to qualify its capacity.

to be continued...