DPP wonders why canopy sculptures are so much pricier than umbrellas

DPP wonders why canopy sculptures are so much pricier than umbrellas

2026-07-01

After New Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taipei is now the third city in Taiwan to trial giant street umbrellas. A number of red electric umbrellas have already been installed near Taipei Arena and outside Ximen MRT Station. Each unit reportedly cost NT$300,000 to NT$400,000. Meanwhile, the city government also plans to install canopy sculptures that provide shade in Xinyi District. However, at nearly 7 and a half million NT apiece, the price tag has sparked much discussion online. Mayor Chiang Wan-an responded by saying that the sculptures would complement the high-end feel of Xinyi District .

There’s not much time left to cross the street. Thankfully, these red giant umbrellas provide shade while pedestrians wait for the next green light under the scorching sun. These are the first automatic giant umbrellas installed in Taipei, outside Exits 1 and 6 of the MRT’s Ximen Station.

Member of public
Approving
I think it’s great, because it provides shade. I no longer have to wait under direct sunlight.

Tourist from the US
Approving
This is nice, but, like, we need it everywhere.

Member of public
Offers feedback
It’s not bad. It provides shade. There should be more, because when there’s more people, everyone will try to get under it, and there won’t be enough space.

Member of public
Offers feedback
It’s not a bad idea, but I think it’ll be better if it also offers UV protection.

Most people are happy with the new smart giant umbrellas installed at pedestrian crossings with heavy foot traffic. One umbrella can accommodate around 15 people, and contracts automatically when it gets too windy and at night.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
Oh my gosh, the sun is scorching, I’m struggling to keep my eyes open. I need to get under the shade. You can see a giant umbrella just outside Taipei’s Ximending. It provides shade for pedestrians waiting to cross the street. However, it’s not quite the same as the canopy sculptures in Xinyi District.

Very different, indeed. The canopy sculptures that double as public art installations cost around NT$7.44 million each. The project is overseen by the city’s Department of Urban Development. Meanwhile, the giant umbrellas installed near Ximending and Taipei Arena were commissioned to a road management vendor by the Public Works Department’s New Construction Office, and costs NT$300,000 to NT$400,000 each. Why the difference? Mayor Chiang Wan-an said that the city government opted for sculptures in Xinyi District to blend in better with the cityscape.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
We’re adopting different methods and using different vendors. For Xinyi Commercial Area, we’ve taken into consideration the more fashionable feel of the area, and wish to maintain the overall urban aesthetic.

Puma Shen
Taipei mayoral candidate (DPP)
The city government should explain why these devices are so much more expensive in Taipei than in other cities. I believe this is what many Taipei residents are wondering about.

Although it’s great that there’s now more much-needed shady areas to get out of the sun, the DPP wants the city government to be transparent about the costs of procurement and construction of these shading devices.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#summer #umbrella #shade #sunprotection #publicart

西門巨型遮陽傘成本約40萬信義"藝術傘"744萬掀議

2026-07-01

台北市跟進高雄、新北，在西門町捷運站外，設置紅色帆布的大型遮陽傘，讓民眾等紅燈不用再頂著大太陽，一支成本約30到40萬，許多人樂見其成，但台北市府即將在信義區推出的，藝術造型遮陽傘，卻要一支約744萬，也掀起討論，市長蔣萬安解釋，因為信義區比較時尚，希望能顧及整體市容景觀。

沒趕上綠燈，趕快回到陰影處，紅色大型遮陽傘，就是你的短暫靠山，西門町捷運站一號與六號出口，出現了台北市第一座完工的大型遮陽傘。

[[民眾]]
“我覺得很好，因為有可以有陰影，可以不要曬太陽在外面等。”

[[美國遊客]]
“這個很好啊，但希望每個地方都能設置。”

[[民眾]]
“還不錯，就是可以遮陽，然後數量可以增加。因為如果人超很多的時候，可能大家都擠在那邊，可能也不夠這樣。”

[[民眾]]
“想法很好，但是我覺得它如果有做防紫外線的效果會更好。”

不少人樂見其成，這支智慧型遮陽傘，設在人流多且需要停等紅燈處，可以容納約15人，風太大或是到了晚上，會自動收起來。

[[民視記者林詠琪]]
“哎呦我的天，現在太陽真的好大，都快睜不開眼睛了，好想找地方趕快來遮陽，現在看到是台北市西門町外頭的遮陽傘，主要是要讓民眾等紅綠燈的時候可以稍作休息，不過跟先前北市府推出，在信義區打造的(遮陽傘)不同。”

不同的地方可多了，信義區的藝術造型遮陽傘，一支平均約744萬元，由都發局負責，西門町與小巨蛋附近的遮陽傘，則是新工處與道路維護廠商簽訂的合約，一支造價約30到40萬元，議員質疑為何成本差異，市長蔣萬安則解釋，因為信義商圈比較時尚，希望能顧及市容景觀。

[[台北市長蔣萬安]]
“我們就是用不同的方式，不同的廠商，信義商區就會特別考量，它整個周遭環境比較時尚，希望能顧及整體市容景觀。”

[[台北市長參選人(民) 沈伯洋]]
“其實市政府應該跟大家說明，因為其他的城市的很顯然，它的成本都跟台北市有很大的價差，那為什麼會有那麼大的價差?我相信這會是市民的疑問。”

讓民眾有遮陽處，固然是好事，但採購流程與實際成本，還是得攤在陽光下，讓大眾檢視！

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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Through this international tech drive, organizers hope to bridge the digital divide for Malawian students, proving that a refurbished computer can be a powerful tool for global connection and improving lives through education.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund, an organization that shares Taiwan’s technology, talent, and experiences with diplomatic partners around the world. The fund is an example of soft power that shows, in just half a century, how Taiwan has transformed from an aid recipient to a development partner that helps other countries flourish.

These representatives from all over the world touch a button, creating a digital globe that serves as the opening of the ceremony celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund.

Raymond Greene
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What distinguishes Taiwan ICDF is not its actions but how it approaches local capacity. By bringing hands-on technical excellence, ICDF brings operational flexibility and transparency, rooted in democratic governance, a practice that stands in sharp contrast to predatory lending models that leave partner countries worse off.

Katayama Kazuyuki
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Taiwan’s experience offers a similar and inspiring story. Over the past several decades, Taiwan has transformed itself from an aid recipient into a respected development partner.

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From receiving help to now being a nation that exports their experiences, the Taiwan ICDF’s 30 years of hard work have created examples of diplomatic soft power that the world has taken notice of.

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The passenger terminal is connected to the pier, meaning travelers heading to Green Island or Orchid Island by ferry can check in as well as buy and pick up tickets at the terminal.

Member of public
Ferry passenger
They made this place look like what you see in other countries. It has a really sleek design, like you feel as if you’ve traveled abroad when you come in here.

The completely revamped Fugang Port Passenger Terminal means Taitung is now home to a modern port. The building’s design seamlessly incorporates the iconic ocean scenery and seaside feel of the southeastern county. The interior is akin to King Triton’s underwater palace, but the building’s most important aspect is its capacity, as up to 600 travelers can wait inside the air-conditioned building instead of being baked in the sun like they would be in the past.

Yao Ching-ling
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It’s designed to be able to accommodate the maximum number of passengers during the busiest of times. Four ferries can be docked outside, so right now the terminal’s big enough to handle the travel volume for Taitung, Orchid Island and Green Island.

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A generous layer of spread is lathered on a slice of milk toast, chock full of big chunks of braised pork. Paired with the milky sweetness of the bread, the restaurant is hoping it’ll win over customers.

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Customer
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