Kaohsiung City Council Approves Metro Yellow Line Y8 Station Joint Development Project; NKUST and Kaohsiung Industrial High School Join Hands to Build a Technology and Industry-Academia Hub

The Kaohsiung City Urban Planning Committee approved on the 29th the joint development plan for the Metro Yellow Line Y8 Station. Through urban plan revisions and transit-integrated development, the project will integrate land resources from the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) and Kaohsiung Industrial High School to establish a technology and industry-academia hub equipped with talent cultivation, technological R&D, and industry-academia collaboration functions. Guided by the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) concept, the project will drive area development around the station and inject new momentum into Kaohsiung’s key industries, including smart manufacturing, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.

Lin Chin-rong, Vice Mayor of Kaohsiung and Chair of the Urban Planning Committee, stated that the Metro Yellow Line is not only a crucial rail infrastructure for Kaohsiung but also a vital engine for urban development. Y8 Station boasts excellent educational resources and a strategic transportation location. Through urban plan changes and joint development, it will link campus, transit, and industrial resources to create a new hub integrating education, research, and industrial services, fulfilling the goal of TOD-driven urban growth.

According to the Kaohsiung City Mass Rapid Transit Bureau, the project will rezone approximately 1.24 hectares of school land into a metro development zone, with a total development volume of about 38,000 ping. Three buildings will be constructed. NKUST will receive one building to serve as a technology and industry-academia center, providing multifunctional spaces for industry-academia collaboration, technical R&D, innovation incubation, and talent development. Kaohsiung Industrial High School will simultaneously upgrade its student activity center, improving campus facilities and enhancing the quality of education and public services.

Combining TOD development with school land resources, the entire project is scheduled to launch bidding in 2027 (Year 116) and be completed by 2032 (Year 121). The future technology and industry-academia center will integrate the strengths of university and vocational education, deepen industry-academia collaboration, accelerate the practical application of R&D outcomes, assist enterprises in digital transformation and smart upgrades, and cultivate professional talent aligned with industry needs. It is expected to become a core hub for education and industrial development along the Metro Yellow Line.

The city government stated that it will continue integrating urban planning, rail construction, and joint development to enhance the functionality and land-use efficiency of station areas, creating a model of shared prosperity among education, industry, and the city, and further strengthening Kaohsiung’s competitiveness as a technology-driven city.