Prioritize brownfield developments: claims by various groups
In an effort to expand its leading position in the global semiconductors and artificial intelligence sectors, Taiwan is planning to significantly increase its scientific park land use. The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) has proposed an additional 2,000 hectares of land for scientific park use, bringing the total area to 7,440 hectares by 2050. However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on farmland and agricultural communities.
The current allocation of land for scientific parks, as specified by the National Spatial Plan approved by Taiwan’s Executive Yuan and reinforced by the NSTC, risks encroaching on productive farmland, displacing farmers. To address this issue, experts and environmental groups are advocating for prioritizing brownfield sites (previously developed industrial or commercial land) for new scientific park development.
The prioritization of brownfield development reduces farmland seizure, thereby protecting agricultural workers and supporting sustainable land use policies. This approach aligns with broader sustainable urban development efforts in Taiwan’s cities, which integrate environmental, social, and technological strategies to create livable and resilient areas.
One example of the challenges posed by farmland seizure for scientific park development can be seen at the Central Taiwan Science Park's Erlin Science Park, where agricultural workers were forced to leave due to the government expropriating more than 600 hectares of farmland to build the park.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co has set up new plants at polluted plant sites in Kaohsiung’s Houjin areas, providing an alternative solution to the use of pristine farmland. Taiwan Hsinchu Foundation chairman Sam Lin has also suggested prioritizing brownfield for scientific park land use.
The NSTC has been urged to prioritize brownfield development instead of seizing farms for scientific park construction. The EIA committee has requested that the use of polluted land be prioritized in future scientific park developments.
The proposal for additional land for scientific park development is at its preliminary stage, and further environmental impact assessments and communications with local stakeholders will be conducted for each scientific park construction project. Eyes on Pollution of CTSP secretary-general Hsu Wan-ling stated that the proposed land addition should adhere to national spatial planning.
In summary, Taiwan is challenged with balancing rapid industrial growth in strategic sectors with land use sustainability. Prioritizing brownfield redevelopment for scientific parks is seen as a strategic way to meet industrial land demand without compromising farmland and agricultural communities. This approach not only supports sustainable economic development but also aligns with broader sustainable urban development efforts in Taiwan’s cities.
- To uphold sustainability and protect farmland, experts and environmental groups advocate for prioritizing brownfield sites, previously developed industrial or commercial land, for new scientific park development in Taiwan.
- The prioritization of brownfield development in scientific park construction aligns with broader sustainable urban development efforts, integrating environmental, social, and technological strategies to create living and resilient areas in Taiwan's cities.
- In response to concerns regarding farmland encroachment, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co has set up new plants on polluted sites, providing an alternative solution for scientific park land use, decreasing the need to seize pristine farmland.
