Chapter 14 : Regional Development

        There are more than 21 million people living in Taiwan, in a space of thirty-six thousand square kilometers. People work hard in all kinds of industries and fulfill their wants and needs, for food, clothes, living, transportation, education, and entertainment. Development lets us fulfill our needs better. To maintain steady economic growth and improve living standards, development must be continuous.

 

Features of Regional Development

        Since the end of the Second World War, Taiwan has achieved tremendous economic growth. The material existence of the people has been greatly improved. The GNP of 1996 is nearly thirty-six times more than 1952, and the per capita income has increased by thirteen times. These facts show not only that the economy of Taiwan has grown but also that it has great potential for future growth.

        The industrial structure of Taiwan is also changing, from mainly primary industry in the early days, to mainly secondary and tertiary industries at present. Taiwan has become a highly developed industrial and commercial society.

        Although economic growth has been very fast, regional development has not been balanced. Industry and commerce are concentrated in northern Taiwan, followed by southern Taiwan, central Taiwan, and finally eastern Taiwan, Kinmen and Matzu. Consequently, the average income and living standards of the people in northern and southern Taiwan are better than in central and eastern Taiwan. Nevertheless, northern and southern Taiwan are relatively plagued with environmental problems caused by intensive industry and commerce and high population density, The imbalance in regional development should be corrected.

 

Regional Planning

        Northern and southern Taiwan, and urban areas generally, have more industry and commerce and higher population density. So the living standards in these areas are higher. However, improper urban planning has robbed us of much fertile farmland, which has been gobbled up by industry, commerce, and housing. Pollution, overcrowding and environmental degradation are problems especially in the north and south. By contrast, central and east Taiwan, and rural areas generally, have better living environments, though industrial and commercial development is sluggish in these areas. A sluggish economy means delays in local construction projects, serious outward migration, and the aging of the workforce. Also, it is more difficult to use local resources efficiently in a sluggish economy. Disparity in regional development exists not only between different regions, but also within regions. This impedes national economic development. Reducing disparity and balancing economic development and environmental protection have become the main issues we need to face in the future.

        To reduce regional and rural-urban disparity, the government has drawn up the “National Comprehensive Development Plan” as well as four regional plans. The regional plan for Kinmen and Matzu is still in planning. The purposes of the regional plans are to balance quality of life, economic development and environmental protection, and to reduce disparity in regional development.

        If people in each region can make reasonable use of local resources, build convenient transportation systems and complete public infrastructure projects based on sound local “living perimeter” plans, people’s needs for employment, housing, recreation, schooling, health care and shopping will be fulfilled and they will enjoy modern living conditions without having to move to the big city. People will be more willing to stay in their hometowns and work together to develop the local economy. Then the disparities between urban and rural areas will gradually disappear.