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Commissioner Lin on the Taipei 2050 Vision Plan

Speaking at a luncheon organized by AmCham Taipei’s Real Estate and Infrastructure & Engineering Committees, Commissioner Lin Jou Min of the Taipei City Government’s Department of Urban Development introduced the Taipei 2050 Vision Plan in a Chinese-language presentation entitled “A City of Our Own: 像我們這樣的城.” The program was held July 20 at the Westin Taipei.

Lin, trained in Architecture and Urban Design at Columbia University in New York, has over 20 years of experience in architectural, interior, landscape, communication, and research-based design. Before being appointed Commissioner in 2014, Lin was the principal architect of J.M. Architect / The Observer Design Group in Taipei.

He described the Taipei 2050 Vision Plan as encompassing the following aspects:

  • Livable and Sustainable City – construct safe, convenient, ecological landscapes.
  • City Aesthetics – promote the aesthetic value of the city to provide better surroundings and experience.
  • Living Justice – improve the standard of living by providing affordable housing for residents.
  • Building Management – enhance employment and economic development through improvement of  environmental outcomes.
  • Urban Regeneration – promote integration of the community and strengthen public communication.

From left to right:  AmCham Real Estate Committee Chair Tony Chao, Taiwan Country Head, Jones Lang LaSalle Taiwan Ltd. and speaker Lin Jou Min, Commissioner, Department of Urban Development, Taipei City Government

Lin also briefed the audience about recent development and renewal projects. The West District Gateway Project involved dismantling the Zhongxiao Bridge ramp to free up space around the North Gate, renovating the area surrounding North Gate, and overhauling the plaza in front of Taipei Railway Station to create a more presentable image of the nation to visitors.

The East District Gateway Project transformed Nangang District into a transportation hub to create new business opportunities in such areas as software, technology, and biotech industry. The project also entails turning Nangang into a pedestrian-friendly environment with connecting pathways and completing such cultural venues as the Taipei Pop Music Center and Nangang Cap Factory.

Future projects include:

  1. Songshan Airport: Transforming the airport into a 330-hectare “Central Park” with an emphasis on ecology, leisure, and humanities.
  2. Eco Shezidao: Redeveloping the restricted flooding zone that has been left unused for 45 years and turning it into a multi-purpose, open space system for ecological and recreational use.
  3. Urban Regeneration: Seeking investments for regeneration projects including government-led urban renewal programs, the National Taiwan University Medical Complex, Lanchou Community, South Airport Apartment, and more.
  4. Public Housing: Provide facilities for social welfare and public services through implementation of public housing.

Interested in attending our events? Join us at other upcoming events, click here.

Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

Successful New Workplace Strategies Rely on Facilities Management

Businesses are increasingly recognizing that the workplace can be used to help improve business performance by enhancing employee engagement, retention and motivation; spurring productivity; and facilitating cultural change. On July 12, AmCham Taipei’s Real Estate Committee invited Edward Peters, Global Workplace Solutions Lead, Hong Kong/Taiwan/Macau, CBRE, and Vincent Shih, Assistant General Counsel, General Manager of Corporate, External & Legal Affairs Taiwan, Microsoft, to give a luncheon presentation on “Successful New Workplace Strategies Rely on Facilities Management” at the Lincoln Room. Peters and Shih each explored some of the latest thinking on workplace strategy for incorporation into leaders’ management toolkit, as well as the advantages to be gained by creating a synergistic environment and reshaping employees’ behavior.

In the first section, Peters highlighted the importance of creating a new workplace strategy due to the changing nature of the workforce and the working environment. Companies are relying on workplace strategy to strike a balance between reducing costs, improving productivity, and enhancing the overall work experience for employees. For this reason, the global outsourced market in facilities management services is on the rise, offering workplace strategy solutions to add value and drive business performance for organizations.

Following Peters’ presentation, Shih shared insights on digital transformation at Microsoft with the objectives of 1) engaging customers, 2) empowering employees, 3) optimizing operations, 4) transforming products, and 5) ensuring modern security. As part of its design strategy, Microsoft combines space utilization, new technology and new ways of working to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation within the workplace.

From left to right: Vincent Shih, Assistant General Counsel, General Manager of Corporate, External & Legal Affairs Taiwan, Microsoft, Edward Peters, Global Workplace Solutions Lead, Hong Kong/Taiwan/Macau, CBRE, and Joseph Lin, AmCham Governor, Managing Director, CBRE Limited Taiwan Branch.

Interested in attending our events? Join us at other upcoming events, click here.

Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.