Evaluating Urban Renewal Priority Areas in Taiwan: A Case Study of Tainan

Abstract

This paper evaluates the designation of urban renewal priority areas in Taiwan, with a focus on Tainan. Although international research emphasises that regeneration should be based on residents’ social and economic needs, environmental conditions, and long-term sustainability, Taiwan’s Urban Renewal Act of 1999 continues to prioritise ease of implementation, focusing on blight areas, public land, facilities, and historic sites. As a result, many projects have been dominated by small-scale, private-sector housing developments, leading to gentrification and social conflicts. This study applies the analytical hierarchy process to establish a framework of weighted indicators, integrating physical, social, economic, and investment criteria. Using expert surveys, it assesses the appropriateness of 26 designated priority areas in Tainan. The findings aim to inform future amendments to urban renewal laws and policies in Taiwan, promoting more balanced and sustainable regeneration.