The Third Phase of Ciaotou New Town Urban Plan Passes Review by Urban Planning Committee; Kaohsiung City Government: Balancing Industry, Transportation, and Ecology to Create a New Core for Northern Kaohsiung

The Urban Planning Committee of the Ministry of the Interior has approved the 'Ciaotou New Town Third Phase Urban Plan.' The Kaohsiung City Government stated that this plan is a crucial milestone for the industrial development of Northern Kaohsiung. In the future, in collaboration with the central government's promotion of follow-up work, it will create an important development base that supports the Ciaotou Science Park and Northern Kaohsiung industrial clusters, while balancing environmental conservation, cultural preservation, transportation construction, and industrial development.

Connecting Ciaotou Science Park and Baipu Industrial Park; Preserving Sugar Factory Cultural Landscape The city government pointed out that the third phase of Ciaotou New Town bears the important task of overall development in Northern Kaohsiung. Among them, the 1-1 and 1-2 roads will connect the first, second (Ciaotou Science Park), and fourth phases (Baipu Industrial Park) of Ciaotou New Town, and are also important external roads connecting the Ciaotou Science Park, Nanzi Science and Technology Industrial Park, and other industrial clusters. It is expected to improve the regional transportation network and enhance industrial transportation efficiency and overall competitiveness.

The city government stated that the third phase of the new town is not just a simple land development but an overall urban planning in response to the development of the semiconductor S corridor, Ciaotou Science Park, and Baipu Industrial Park. With the continuous increase in industrial investment, employment population, and commuting needs, transportation, housing, public facilities, and living functions must be laid out in advance to support future development needs.

The city government pointed out that multiple cross-party representatives and 17 village chiefs in the Ciaotou District all support the planning of the third phase of the new town and have jointly issued a statement believing that the newly opened roads can connect new and old clusters and integrate surrounding industrial parks, becoming an important infrastructure to drive the development of Northern Kaohsiung.

Regarding the environmental conservation issues raised by the public, the city government stated that the Urban Planning Committee of the Ministry of the Interior has requested the National Land Administration to propose specific responses and supporting measures based on the opinions of the committee and civic groups. The city government will also continue to work closely with the central government to balance local development and ecological protection.

The city government explained that according to the planning of the National Land Administration, the plan has designated approximately 21 hectares of 'Ciaotou Sugar Factory Cultural Landscape Preservation Area' to completely preserve the sugar factory dormitory group and important cultural landscapes. Additionally, approximately 19 hectares of tourism development special use zones are planned to continue the sugar industry cultural assets and promote local tourism.

Furthermore, confirmed by Taiwan Sugar Corporation and the Ministry of Agriculture, the forest land within the planning scope is short-term artificial economic afforestation and not natural forests. In the future, approximately 21 hectares of parks and detention ponds will be planned, and part of the roads will be adjusted to green corridors. The substantial development stage will also carry out investigations, preservation, and transplantation evaluations in accordance with relevant laws and regulations for tree protection.

The city government stated that the Kaohsiung New Town 1-2 Road, Youqing Road, and Dayao Road projects will introduce rain garden designs, temporarily storing rainwater and purifying it through plants. At the same time, 195 existing tall trees will be preserved, 357 trees will be transplanted, and 8,253 new trees will be planted. Poorly growing trees will be decomposed and reused as organic fertilizer, balancing resource recycling and ecological sustainability.

The Kaohsiung City Government emphasized that the third phase of Ciaotou New Town will guide the orderly entry of population and industry through comprehensive planning of transportation construction, public facilities, and green infrastructure, balancing cultural preservation, environmental protection, and urban resilience. It will create a livable, business-friendly, and tourist-friendly new town in Northern Kaohsiung, becoming an important engine to support Kaohsiung's future development.