Taiwan's National Land Agency: Urban Renewal Act Amendment Links Volume Incentives to Social Housing Provision, Public Nature to be Strictly Reviewed

On April 13, 2026, the National Land Agency, Ministry of Interior, Taiwan, responded to concerns raised by civic groups, including OURs Urban Reform Organization, regarding proposed amendments to the Urban Renewal Act. Premier Cho Jung-tai recently suggested increasing urban renewal volume incentives up to 1.5 times, and the Ministry of Interior subsequently proposed an amendment to allow up to 2.0 times volume incentives for projects donating social housing. Civic groups criticized this as a general loosening of urban environmental capacity and spatial governance principles. The National Land Agency stated that the amendment requires the actual provision of social housing and housing for newlyweds and families to qualify for volume incentives. These incentives will be subject to statutory limits and strict review of their public nature, ensuring urban functions and public facilities are not overburdened. The primary goal of the amendment is to address difficulties in self-initiated urban renewal, such as integration challenges, lack of professional expertise, and high financial risks. New mechanisms will be introduced, including 'overall case management agencies,' a credit guarantee system, and standardized financing processes, to lower public participation thresholds and improve efficiency. To accelerate social housing provision, the agency will enhance public-private cooperation through urban renewal allocations, urban planning change feedback, and volume incentive donations. The National Housing and Urban Regeneration Center and local governments have already secured nearly 4,000 social housing units through urban renewal. International examples cited include the Greater London Plan, London Olympic Park, and San Francisco's inclusive housing.