2014 Taipei Community Empowerment Forum

Forum Introduction

  Over the two decades that community building promotion has been a part of life in Taipei, many changes have taken place. As lifestyle quality improved, communities recognized the need for a shared vision focused on environmental friendliness, ecological greening, artistic rebuilding, and regional regeneration and activation. At the same time, environmental rebuilding plans and mechanisms for training community planners inspired more people to become professional community builders. Among the challenges faced, the need for dialogue at the grassroots level means that community builders must not only advance their methodology and knowledge but also understand what is lacking from the professional ranks. Shortcomings can be addressed through the use of urban regeneration and building networks. Fortunately, Taipei is home to community organizations and citizens groups concerned with these issues and happy to provide assistance. They only lack opportunity. In this environment, the government’s role has shifted from top-down planning to builder of platforms for dialogue, exchange, communication and learning. Flexible administrative models provide pathways for innovative actions that integrate community members and organizations. The exploration, experimentation and mediation that result pave the way to consensus and provide solutions to the problems we as a society face.

  Now we are in the midst of celebrating two important milestones: the 130th anniversary of Taipei’s founding and the 20th anniversary of community building promotion in the city. In order to reflect on Taipei’s history of community building, share its experiences and examine future development, we have compiled a record of past achievements. This will be presented via an international forum, where we can teach and learn from other cities in Taiwan and abroad. Investigation will spark action and new methods that lead to future community building models, thereby launching the next era of community building in Taipei.