Taipei City and New Taipei City will work together to improve the water quality of Danshui River and revitalize its surrounding areas, following the establishment of a committee in charge of managing the river, the two city governments said Aug. 10.
“Danshui River is the source of many rivers in the greater Taipei area,” Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin said at the committee’s opening ceremony. “The organization is a platform for the two cities to cooperate on issues such as landscape development, flood prevention, ecosystem, urban planning, and recreation and entertainment.”
New Taipei City Mayor Eric Liluan Chu added that the two cities will also work on urban development along the Danshui River. “We hope to transform the area into Taiwan’s Manhattan.”
According to Chu, landscape light sculptures have been added to the 12 bridges straddling the two cities and the lights will be turned on at the end of the year.
The first bicycle path linking the two cities across the Xindian River will be finished at the end of October, Chu added, stressing that he hopes to create a joint community for residents on both sides.
Taipei City Deputy Mayor Chen Wei-zen and New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan will take turns convening the committee, which includes 19 representatives from central and local government agencies and 10 scholars in fields such as flood prevention, urban development, and water resources and environment protection.
