Kaohsiung Deepens Taiwan-Japan Architectural Collaboration, Partners with Osaka and Matsubara on Net-Zero Buildings and Sustainable Cities

To accelerate the development of net-zero buildings and deepen urban exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, the Kaohsiung City Government's Department of Public Works visited Osaka, Japan today (28th) to sign a 'Memorandum for Promoting Technical Exchange on Kaohsiung's Net-Zero Carbon Emission Buildings (ZEB)' with the Osaka Prefectural Association of Architects and five major architectural associations in Kaohsiung. The delegation also visited Matsubara City to exchange experiences on net-zero buildings, urban resilience, public infrastructure, and sustainable development, aiming to expand tangible Taiwan-Japan cooperation.

The signing of the ZEB technical exchange memorandum focuses on green buildings, smart buildings, and urban resilience development. Kaohsiung's Public Works Commissioner Yang Chin-fu stated that since establishing a partnership with the Osaka Prefectural Association of Architects in 2013, both sides have accumulated over ten years of collaboration through mutual visits, professional forums, and technical exchanges. This memorandum, framed around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will promote cooperation in areas such as net-zero buildings (ZEB), green buildings, smart buildings, green energy, vertical greening, construction disaster prevention, and universal design for all ages. The initiative aims to advance technical exchange, talent cultivation, and the establishment of demonstration sites to enhance urban sustainability.

Yang emphasized that Japan possesses extensive experience in zero-carbon and smart buildings, and Kaohsiung hopes to leverage international collaboration to introduce advanced technologies and successful case studies. By continuously promoting the 'Kaohsiung Roof' net-zero carbon building initiative, the city aims to increase urban green coverage, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and create a low-carbon, safe, and livable urban environment.

The Public Works team also visited Matsubara City, where they were received by Mayor Hirofumi Sawai and his municipal team. Building on exchanges initiated during the Osaka-Kansai World Expo last year and the outcomes of Matsubara City's visit to Kaohsiung in May, both sides held in-depth discussions on urban governance, architectural industry upgrading, public infrastructure, net-zero transition, and resilient cities. They expressed mutual expectations for advancing more substantive collaborations and deepening local-level exchanges in the future.

The Department of Public Works stated that it will continue to integrate resources from international professional organizations, local governments, and the architectural industry to deepen Taiwan-Japan architectural cooperation. The goal is to promote net-zero buildings, smart buildings, and sustainable urban development, positioning Kaohsiung as a model net-zero building city in southern Taiwan, while further enhancing urban resilience and international competitiveness.