DPP wonders why canopy sculptures are so much pricier than umbrellas
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.
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#summer #umbrella #shade #sunprotection #publicart
2026-07-01
