Why Do Taiwanese Cities Look So Bad?

[@2ndhandcar]

I first came to Taiwan, Taipei, with my girlfriend, and now wife, in 2014 and, for the most part, found the buildings and city quite ugly. I particularly couldn’t understand why the exterior of buildings were so bad for a lot of places but the interiors and shopfronts were super nice inside. In Australia property owners and town planners spend a lot of time (and money) worrying about the exterior look of homes and buildings. While it makes the place look nicer, it’s a superficial and cosmetic burden to bear. From the many visits to Taipei over the years I’ve come to really appreciate and respect its appearance - I don’t want Taipei or Taiwan to change. There is human depth, honesty, heart and soul to the city that I don’t see or feel very much at home or elsewhere. And from what I once saw as ugly I see now as symbolic that ‘exteriors are superficial as what matters more is deeper than the eye can see’.

[@jamesjpn4669]

This is so funny because when I came to Taiwan, I absolutely loved the way it looked. I've never been able to properly put this into words, but I really liked that it was a bit more rough around the edges than Japan-it had more of a lived-in feeling. Sometimes, Japan can feel a bit clinical and too clean to me. Of course, I've never lived in Taiwan, so I'm not sure how long I'd feel that way, but I really loved the way it looked, and I can’t wait to go back there.

[@Prozzie]

I know what you mean. But I'm still surprised since you live in an area that's straight out of an anime

[@actuallyUncleTopher]

I wonder if you never went to China would you have a different impression of Taiwan? I feel that Taipei and Kaohsiung have a "personality"

[@ktkace]

IMHO you are messing up badly managed with personality...

[@Prozzie]

mmmm I think Taiwanese cities look objectively bad. Taiwanese people will say so themselves haha. They aren't dumb

[@zoehsiao3480]

@@Prozzie 台灣多數的城市與建築 與公共建設 說實話 醜爆了!!!! 但是台灣人超級有錢也不願意改建

[@JT-xf7pq]

​@@zoehsiao3480because they don't give a dam. They only care about money.

[@a0987110251]

@@zoehsiao3480 政府無能不作為，要都更真的沒辦法嗎？只有不做，沒有做不到

[@FabianRitterG]

I get the point. As someone who lives in Singapore (born in Chile) and now in Taipei for 2 months. While I agree the buildings are just ugly and I don't think the messiness should be overly romanticised, they just didn't plan it well as you said in the video. This lack of care for outward aesthetic gives me some degree of mental relief and makes me feel quite chill somehow, I can't explain so well but maybe is a way to feel they are more authentic as society and don't care as much in a pretentious image.... It may also be some psychological effect to feel I escaped from the "trying too hard to look good" vibe of Singapore which I was very much not enjoying. I find is curious to see such messily planned cities yet extremely cute details on small thing.. E.g. the fact that every small shop may have their own art crafted to make it look ultra cozy and cute, this is actually quite charming and makes Taiwan to feel quite special. I already love Taiwan a lot in this short time actually. There is something about the people that makes you feel very happy and at peace. Their kindness is very special...

[@user-alice620]

對，你說的沒錯，日本很乾淨但讓我覺得很冷很陰森沒活力

[@ggcho2]

從你從中國到台灣關注你到越來越瞭解台灣有莫名的感動

[@eomd2009]

台灣市容難看的原因 1-騎樓被佔用亂放東西 2-太多的機車汽車停在路邊 這兩點日本沒有

[@meiyuc22]

建築物本身就很醜

[@映純凌]

日本有人行道＆良好城市規劃

[@Brandon.R888]

沒有以人為本的概念、沒有人行道、沒有美學

[@鄭長崙]

​@@Brandon.R888台灣有啊，台灣是以“本人”為本😂

[@萬子謙]

當初國民政府來台時 其實也沒有想過會在台灣落地生根 所以缺乏完善規劃 然後到現在已經沒救了.. 如果政府肯限制機車數量的話 至少交通還可以變比較好

[@stephenblay7352]

Good video Prozzie. When I lived in Taichung part of the appeal was that it had the nice bits (like Caligraphy Greenway where you were filming towards the end of you video) but also the run down bits. I wouldn't want to live a super clean & sanitised city. I genuinely believe that the Taiwanese people make the cities, always happy to chat and treat you as if you've just arrived, even if you've been there a few years. The amount of times a barista would write on the coffee shop "welcome to Taiwan"...even though I'd lived there ages...loved that! Also, and I don't think this gets mentioned much, but here in the UK every city is a copy of the next one, with all the big chain stores, restaurants and bars, it's so boring. But in Taichung I remember the massive variety of shops, big and small etc, and that's before you even consider the array of night markets.

[@yphuang596]

形容得很好, 台灣是一塊空白畫布, 對有些人是空白無聊. 但是住久了, 可以像潑畫, 可以像水墨畫堆疊墨韻, 可以像油畫上堆疊厚厚的顏料, 在台灣生活真的很隨興愜意, 全看自己要如何揮灑畫布.

[@ivylin5945]

這塊空白畫布可以讓住在這塊土地上的人自由去描繪屬於自己的小風景

[@terrichen3880]

Prozzie 的內容開始越來越深入深刻了，跟以前的中國硬體習慣客觀比較內容(當然也很有趣，有台灣不熟悉的中國潛規則)，但開始理解台灣的歷史去討論，這是很多外國KZbinrs 沒有能力論述的。 我記得Prozzie 對林語堂也是很有興趣的，或許Prozzie 可以在眾多外國人頻道區別化做些歷史演進的相關台灣文化現象。當您深入了解台灣歷史，會對台灣城市與人文與混亂矛盾有更多的理解。 關於台灣的城市，與大自然共存這點會比漂亮外觀這點更多人注重，例如房子老舊但也是要有盆栽。可能外國習以為常帶有庭院充滿自然，但台灣是房子再密集也會盡自己可能種點盆栽。 我覺得未來台灣的城市會有新型現代建築，也會盡量保留古蹟文青風轉型，更會留下宗教,自然與建築融和的狀態。只要不被原所有權人在列為古蹟前一天放火燒掉的話，應該可以整理的很漂亮。 老舊公寓大樓或許得要政府修法規定要保留了多少百分比做外觀或保養的事項，才能改進。 又或者裸露的拉線與冷氣，需要有個創意裝置引領潮流，大家才能跟風流行，才有可能改變。 但每個都長的不太一樣，才可能更像台灣風格。😂

[@terrichen3880]

@fototaiwan 佐榮寫真館 就可以看到日治時期的台灣照片 那時的台灣也很美，看到就能直觀理解網友說的意思。 蔡桑 有台灣與日本相關的歷史

[@Prozzie]

I like this video idea, but it would be so complicated 🤣Lin Yutang 林語堂 wrote about Chinese culture and I found that book super interesting. In Taiwan you can see many things he wrote about. Some Taiwanese feel they are culturally Chinese (but completely separate from the CCP), and some Taiwanese people feel very strongly about not being associated with Chinese culture at all and want to be Taiwanese, and only Taiwanese. I would have to talk to many Taiwanese people to get a better understanding of how people feel here. It's difficult because everyone feels differently

[@terrichen3880]

@@Prozzie 👍 Prozzie 已經知道不同的地方，這樣就超級厲害！但為何會造成不同的看法，就要了解雙方不同背景的歷史。若不是單單的訪問雙方看法，再加入歷史背景去推論，設定為對台灣不熟的外國人為觀眾來說，會是很有趣的入門題材。 了解中國人應該是看魯迅，更貼切，中國人一致肯定😊 了解台灣人要從殖民歷史與不斷抗爭開始 簡單類比就是 一個是"5000年歷史+一把青"敘事 一個是“斯卡羅+莫那魯道+流麻溝15號“敘事 再來合成“國際僑牌社“敘事 台灣還有很多小趣事 1.台灣曾打暴美軍（斯卡羅裡有演） 2.1935年國民黨還未來前，台灣第一次選舉 3.台灣的台南有荷蘭人血統，雲林台西是阿拉伯人血統，姓丁，源於阿拉丁的丁。 是的，台灣有台北.台中.台南.台東也有台西😁 歷史就是能把人的經歷與作品變得更好理解判斷，也更豐富內容與深度。

[@LalaWang-lp2zc]

除了錯過做整體城市規劃的早期因素，人口密度過高可能也是原因之一

[@TubeRDY]

簡單一句話就是CP值，每個人自以為的便利造就了整體市容，毫無規劃的成果

[@chiunghua]

For some reason, somehow, I just realize that I have never really known my country, and I have never been really familiar with Taiwanese culture. The more I realize, the more I want to discover Taiwan, and the more I feel I love Taiwan.

[@fillrobs7726]

Great video mate - completely agree - we live in Beitou and although people may say the mountains are beautiful the town is very old and looks awful. All of it designed in a time before cars - good to see you steering clear of Alan with his dreaded lurgie😂

[@SimonTam]

My wife and I both fell in love with Taiwan immediately (this included after visiting Japan and China), both with the culture as well as the natural landscapes. That being said, we could definitely understand how people suggest the cities are "ugly" - it's true, varying parts of the cities can look objectively gross but there are many other parts that point their way to the future, including Calligraphy Greenway in Taichung, Xinyi District in Taipei, and near the Ai River in Kaohsiung. Are there other less dense areas that haven't been subjected to purely industrial/utilitarian design (maybe Beitou, Yilan, etc)?

[@映純凌]

you are getting deeper understanding about taiwan and making nice videos!

[@danielc3029]

鐵窗、鐵皮屋、鐵欄杆、鐵門。台灣人熱愛用「白鐵」這個素材因為便宜又耐用，但世界上那一個美麗的城市當你走在路上可以看到這麼多白鐵？ 白鐵給人的感覺冰冷又醜，如同工廠。想像如果全台灣街上80%白鐵都上上好看的漆，或是換成木頭或其他素材，整個城市質感會大幅提升。當然還要定期清洗建築外牆，蓋多一點立體機車停車場。把機車清出騎樓。這些都是可以簡單實現的（比起拆掉重建）。 如果台灣城市市容能達到像日本的水準，不只國人生品質提高，對台灣的經濟也很有幫助（國人留在本地消費，國際旅客大幅提升、人才流失率下降、國際人才願意定居的意願上升）

[@Camellia_1999]

太同意了，真的好希望你說的能實現啊😮‍💨

[@bctvanw]

光是招牌都無法管了 台北市二十多年來經歷過多少市長? 還難得三個黨輪替過 沒一個改變的

[@turner9324]

華國美學最有代表性的東西之一，鐵皮 當你從台北101看下來，你會發現這就是一座鐵皮之都。

[@ioneleo9]

其實鐵皮有在用很緩慢的速度消失───當你這麼想的時候就會發現原本沒鐵皮的屋頂也長出了鐵皮

[@Camellia_1999]

@@ioneleo9唉，說的對，還有那些酷似監獄的鐵窗，實在是太醜太醜了😮‍💨

[@likelikeman]

The video explanation is really great. You will have an in-depth understanding to appreciate Taiwan's unique architectural culture. I believe people living in Taiwan will like it even more. 😊❤️🇹🇼

[@puichiung2959]

Hey, Prozzie. I enjoyed your video. I live in the U.S. and never been to Taiwan or Japan but I get the former is just more basic and utilitarian and the latter like stylized anime. I live in Houston, Tx, and while some parts look nice, I think most of my city looks pretty ordinary and will never be as favored by tourists as say New York City.

[@ElsaLinn]

台灣的美學素養，是後富裕時代才開始的，差不多那開始的時期，台灣開始模仿安藤忠雄等大師的風格，大家滿口小確性時代，才開始有把物質享受不當作罪惡的觀念，而城市街景進步緩慢，的確是深受國民黨時期亂發展沒有都市規劃的後果，幾十年前台灣的建築大師們，被詢問要怎麼救台灣的城市，幾乎結論都是說「全部炸掉重蓋」才有救，加上台灣人對於金錢觀念還蠻掛念舊時代的貧窮恐懼，不是很願意花錢在弄好外表，不會像日本花了很多很多經費在維護城市景觀，每個房主也要負擔相同責任，但台灣就是需要多批判來推動大家屁股動起來改變，大家應該還記得，曾經有日本退休人士去看南投環境是否適合居住，結論是覺得南投很髒亂，這件事之後，其實南投市幾乎全部動員起來大清潔街景，現在的南投經過被批評後，已經大為改善了，這就是台灣人。

[@曾盈綾]

日本統治時期台灣很漂亮吧？應是國民黨＇中國逃難政府＇大量大陸人民＇例在愛河＇隨便搭建房屋＇把河川＇水源等等污染了＇日式建築拆掉＇從那時開始落後日本吧？且南投縣是否幾乎＇客家人吧？台灣人不多、很少？

[@teierayui]

@@曾盈綾 落後日本？國民黨只用50年就把一個農業社會殖民地變成現代化工業社會，而日本從倒幕才開始農業轉工業化歷經二戰到今天的水準一共花了150年。而你是吃著國民黨留下來的遺產放下筷子駡娘，順便你要不要問問你爺爺一輩的看看日本人在日治時期有多欺壓台灣人及原住民？

[@changtzuchieh5114]

1949年國民政府遷台後，ㄧ心要返回中國，因此沒有用心規劃台灣城市，並且破壞很多日本建築，所以台灣建築才這麼醜。 不過Pozzie說過好多次台灣建築很醜，如果你了解歷史後也許能感受到改變要時間跟金錢。

[@WuHsinghua]

在加上台灣是個很溼的島嶼.....所以很多建築會看起來更醜.....全台灣也只有當年日本人留下來的城市道路規劃設計是完美的.... 台中本來被日本人搞的非常好~但是國民黨為了反對日本人的設計~然後亂搞~台中人才蠻可憐的

[@董俞嶽]

@@changtzuchieh5114 內行

[@sycknfbeh111]

這集的主題非常好，直接點出虫國難民黨的痛點！！！！

[@peterpancake119]

沒錯 加上那時候就是實用主義當道 真的很可惜 日式建築元素都被拿掉了 不然台灣現在街景應該會有一種很特有的美學(真的美的那一種)

[@sherryland101]

民進黨執政多久了？歷經3任總統，包括李登輝也算，為何不改善？什麼都怪國民黨

[@robkilo]

I think Taiwan's 'messy' built landscape has a deep charm. It's human-scaled - nearly always deeply practical, and highly idiosyncratic. There's not too much time and energy spent on keeping up (outward) appearances, and instead the focus is on (inward) comfortable functionality. It's rarely concerned with the grandiose - rather, improvements are small, incremental, constant, and individual. All of which gives the built landscape a really rich texture - you'll find the beauty in the small things, not the big. Just how many doorways and balconies and windows have a multitude of potted plants, even vegetables and fruit trees, never ceases to amaze me. The last decade or two have seen continuous improvements in civic architecture and spaces that are really lovely, but again reflect that extremely Taiwanese focus on practicality and aversion to the grandiose. New Taipei Metropolitan Park for example is an absolute masterpiece - whoever was in charge of the design and execution of that deserves an international award: but they won't get it, because they just made it practical and useable and retained many of the pre-existing natural features rather than designing the hell out of it and using it as a means of converting taxpayers' money into some overblown architectural statement that most people find impossible to understand and use. Hsinchu City's old moat and East Gate is another similar case in point. The continuing civic space build-out in Taiwan is impressive. And in amongst it all is the 'gentrification' where younger generations have been repurposing this outwardly old and unprepossessing urban landscape with new ideas - but once again, in the Taiwanese style, just tweaking and making improvements. The old-school 'messy' aesthetic is celebrated rather than rejected (there were some really nice examples in your video) and it makes the urban texture richer still. I love it all. I tend to think that Taiwanese cities and towns are what European and North American towns would have felt like 200 years ago, except with all the benefits of modern infrastructure. Europe's urban landscape is sanitised and over-restored - visiting 'home' this past summer felt at times like I was in a theme park, not a real place. Returning to the so-very-human grit and hustle and texture of Taiwan came as a relief.

[@Prozzie]

I think that's true for some areas for sure. But there are other areas that are just ugly

[@robkilo]

​@@Prozzie yes, that's true. The same can also be said for pretty much anywhere, though: parts of Paris are soul-crushingly awful, in fact far worse than anywhere I've ever seen in Taiwan. I'd go further and say that even the ugliest bits of Taiwan aren't as dehumanisingly awful as the worst bits of European cities. I think that was the point I was ramblingly trying (badly) to make - Taiwan's urban landscape is almost unfailingly human, even if it's not often big-picture beautiful. But that just means it's nearly always small-picture beautiful, on the individual human scale, which so often the cities of my native Europe simply are not.

[@zonejust3355]

@@robkilo 你有獨特的眼光，台語有句麥麥啊水 醜的有個性和特色看久了就順眼了

[@robkilo]

@@zonejust3355 真的！！！👍👍

[@ketchupegg]

以前的台灣人比較不在意住宅外觀，為了防小偷+防小孩掉落，所以裝上很醜的鐵窗，然後台灣又多雨潮濕，導致鐵窗生鏽，磁磚發霉 但是現在的台灣人生活富裕之後，比較在意外觀了，所以大樓禁止裝鐵窗了，看起來比較好看，有些講究的大樓，還會每幾年洗一次外牆，保持大樓的價值（主要是在意房價啦） 然後還有一些台灣年輕人懂得說故事，把舊建築搭配商業藝術，造成另一股文青夢想 都是慢慢變化的 日本也是一樣喔！！很多老一輩的日本人來台灣，都說台灣很像以前的日本😊

[@yehnorman2300]

看過49難民統治台灣前，日治時代的照片(影片)就知道 台灣市容狀況的災難，在49難民來台灣後，拆除日本規劃的全台灣鐵路網時，就註定了 地狹人稠的地方，不發展鐵道軌道交通，卻馬路交通，就是一種最大的錯誤 後來甚麼車子機車太多，都是因應通勤跟生活，必然發展下的結果

[@hoddtoward]

I would also point out the bubble economy of Japan, in which a lot of that was built, was absolutely crazy. Real estate in Tokyo alone was worth more than the entire United States real estate. Stock market up 500% in less than 10 years. A membership to a golf course could cost you 3 million USD. They've stagnated since but I imagine it had a lasting impact on places and people there.

[@chiang_paul]

謝謝你的分享與介紹❤❤

[@你好-s9y]

The subtitles are super local Taiwanese, very impressive.

[@shiro_oka]

像是日本會說美是一種禮貌，出門要化妝上班要整潔，美學是一種文化，而韓國也是整容，美是一種文化，太醜沒有人要，所以大家都盡量會把自己維持到一個好的姿態，就是對美有要求，台灣說美沒用，看看日韓，一個是美麗的日本，一個是走出一條迷人藝術美學的KPOP，韓國流行文化席捲全球，而台灣並沒有台灣捨棄了美學，認為美無法賺到錢 人家日據時代的台灣有夠漂亮，日本人真的用心規劃，卻被政府搞成這樣

[@user-mf2pm5sl6z]

露出してお尻振ってるのが音楽ですか？　耳ではなく目で楽しむ物を音楽とは言いません。それと日本と台湾は似ています。人間性も！　しかし中国人や韓国人との比較は日本人にとっては最高の侮辱です。気を付けろ！

[@人生價值]

以前也是覺得台灣建築實在醜爆。 但是後來，發覺許多住戶會用巧思裝飾門面。 同樣的社區，不同的街巷就有不同的特色。我喜歡散步觀賞街巷，有時會發現許多讓人驚艷的地方。台灣真的越住越喜愛😊

[@michaellewen2305]

Ugly Buildings in Taiwan gives me a East Germany or Romania vibe, more like Romania, Barbwire and exposing Plumbing are pretty common there.

[@celine-088]

看到字幕～～五告拍甲🤣🤣🤣

[@mhung5153]

Thanks, Prozzie, you probably understand Taiwan better than most of Taiwanese (including me, who always complain about the cityscape lol). Hopefully, I'll run into you on the streets of Taichung someday 😊

[@色肯-x2e]

我覺得是交通...汽機車行人的混亂才讓整個城市感覺更加混亂醜陋.... 拜託快點整個砍掉重修交通法條道路規範汽機車停放規劃吧....

[@eileenlin3155]

台灣人已經被寵壞了，沒有政客敢得罪老百姓，你認為要台灣人把車停在停車場然後走5-30分鐘的路回家或買宵夜那些政客還會有選票嗎？

[@my9669]

Damn it! Hate it when I have to agree on whatever you say in video 😂

[@Oscar-kv6qm]

1950年以前日本時期，台灣的建築還是很好看的，現今的總統府、台灣大學、台中車站就是其中幾個。

[@Cindy-s2k]

我每年都會用高壓沖洗機把外牆噴一噴，不花什麼錢

[@boywhat55]

台灣人其實做事求快速、簡單、方便、將就，為達目的不擇手段，管他三七二十一(鐵皮屋就是這樣、還有亂丟菸蒂、亂吐檳榔汁、亂停車、廢棄腳踏車、機車占汽車位、漏水屋不解決根本而去東補西補暫時不會漏就好、大樓不用整修我家美美的就好~外面管他的關我屁事....不勝枚舉)，說好聽是有效率、說難聽就是差不多就好~~但我喜歡在台灣，治安確實比美國、生活比日本自由，沒有太多其他陌生人的看法，人與人之間是有感情的~這種不受拘束、做自己不做作的感覺是真正的生活享受~

[@djunior874]

I couldn't disagree more with your statement of a lack of feeling or vibe. In fact i disagree so much that it was in fact my first reason why I decided to move here. Taiwanese cities dont look bad, taiwanese architecture looks bad. When you combine all elements of the street into a total vibe, the picture becomes beautiful, even if one of the original pieces of that total picture is ugly. The vibe of Taiwanese streets is like no other.

[@吃紅豆要用刀]

我喜歡欣賞建築物，日治時期的仿巴洛克、現代商辦的簡約，其中國民來台的老舊建築真的醜😅 但一條街上有各個時代的建築蠻有意思的，尤其是住戶種的綠植裝飾很有意趣，是時代與生活的縮影。

[@jesonchen8556]

Very Introsepctive.😄 I like the way you rethink the cities you lived in. I also were amazed that the Chinatowns in US are not like China or Taiwan.

[@gnaixx]

我覺得台灣建築物醜的最大原因是建商。在沒有完整都市計劃規範下，所有建商只想在任何可以蓋建築物的地方努力的蓋出建築物，接著出售賣錢，所以到處亂蓋，只要一賣出，基於人權你就不能打掉，建築物亂蓋，馬路只能遷就這些亂蓋的房屋去規劃，導致道路七彎八拐的就又更亂了，接著台灣人很省錢，不會想要大修房屋，只想補修到可以住就好，所以漏水就加蓋鐵皮，這些陋習造成後，政府官員為了選票也不想得罪民眾，因為每個人都違建，你要取締的話每個人都違規，只能就地合法，一合法你就更沒辦法都更了。 所以都市景觀只會越來越爛，除非是新的重劃區。 但是新的重劃區還是有官員跟建商勾結的問題，為了配合建商努力蓋房子，目的只想在一塊土地盡量蓋出最多的建築物跟商場，動線跟路線不是考慮重點，而是獲利最大化才是考慮重點。

[@steventseng2513]

多數的國人沒錢才是重點吧，有錢誰不想住透天住漂亮的房子

[@gnaixx]

@steventseng2513 安聯2024全球富裕排行台灣全球排第五，亞洲排第二。其他國家都可以做到，台灣做不到說沒錢是沒道理的。

[@gnaixx]

@steventseng2513 就算你沒錢，那代表你租屋。 那屋子的問題還是房東的問題，你房東放任屋子破舊只要能出租賺錢就好，還是人種跟民族性及文化的問題。

[@steventseng2513]

@@gnaixx 呵呵，懶得和你辯

[@gnaixx]

@steventseng2513 謝謝您的大度吼。

[@NostalgicRewinder]

I used to hate how there’s so much old and new mixed buildings within every city in Taiwan…The most recent trip (October 2024) I had a new found appreciation. It gives character and nostalgia vibes. With things constantly changing in Taiwan, it’s good to know that lots of things still stay the same…as far as buildings are concerned.

[@思同]

因為能用就好，完全沒在管美觀的，只要沒塌下來就不維護繼續用，結果所有東西都沒有規劃、變很醜

[@alexchen8380]

It is easy cozy and lazy living in Taiwan….I am 60 yrs old retired biz man once lived in USA, Europe JPN, HK and China for years plus lots of lots of visits in different places and cities Now ended up retiring here back in TPE/Twn

[@sleng358]

又來看Prozzie了，廢話不多說趕緊先按個讚

[@chhuang0310]

教育的方式不同，整個社會展現出來的氛圍也不同。不論建築、街道，食衣住行等等

[@Ceawei3388]

店家消失後招牌任其破舊，鐵窗/鐵皮前後院加蓋/鐵皮頂加，騎樓路霸/違停路霸，隨意凌亂的第四台纜線與冷氣管線，大多老集合住宅沒有物業管理制度，任其外觀髒破舊及磁磚掉落傷人....... 以上的戕害市容都有每個台灣人自己與親朋好友的參與，從政府高官到法官警察老師到罪犯都避免不掉，台灣政府沒人要碰的全民共業

[@glgl7676]

Was in Singapore this summer. Place is not for everyone. Little to no corruption, no seedy elements, people following rules. Some people can’t handle this so many don’t go. City is definitely pristine and safe and super modern.

[@ccelva]

你說了大實話😂😂😂🎉

[@user-xf7vl2xj5v]

Taiwan isn't as immaculate and clean as Japan, but at least their aren't loads of aggressive homeless people and junkies on the street, like in some major Western countries. Coming from one of those countries, I value that aspect of life in Taiwan much more than anything else, that sense of peace and security when out and about and the general sense of respect and consideration that people show to one another that creates a collective harmonious surface to society.

[@gisellechen5383]

台北市發展早，房子很早期蓋的至少40年，且屬私人財產，屋主無意做外牆拉皮，一可能錢寧可省下來內部裝修、二可能無錢整修外牆、三大樓需全體屋主同意，以上～

[@mariajhang6933]

1.1948-1949國民黨政府來台灣，當時台灣非常的貧窮，比菲律賓落後，基礎建設像不毛之地。我父親那一代有東西吃，有鞋子穿，能上學就很知足。 2.1949-1987年台灣戒嚴時期，國家處於內亂外患時期，這是全世界最長的戒嚴時間，在我小時侯能感受到可能會戰爭的氛圍。 3.1960-1980年台灣經濟起飛，所以台灣是在非常短的時間，發展起來，故此，某某人也許兒時住的是破房，過著有一餐沒一餐的日子，洗澡還得自己劈柴燒水，但在他成年之後住在有水，有電，有冷氣，有冰箱...的房子，這可能是在20年的變化。 4.在台灣許多苦盡甘來的長輩，他們生活富裕又安全之後，通常不會追求更好，更高的生活水準，紗窗破了不補，傢俱壞了不丟，更別說整修房子外觀了。常有台灣子女在父母過世後，發現他們居然有大筆財產，但生前極度的節儉。 5.台灣買房貴，拆房也超級貴，房貸可能繳到一半，房子被地震震裂了，不會倒的房子就是好房子。 6.台灣太自由，房子再醜政府也會不立法約束😂

[@louisaliao1008]

你說對了，或許台灣人自己都說不出來應該期待什麼…即便是今天，中國與台灣的關係讓我們都感覺生存競爭，幾代人的情感…很複雜…但是我很確定的是，不管去到世界哪裡，台灣永遠是家。 加拿大人在日本用中文點餐😂實在太妙了吧！ 老房子給人懷舊的感覺，現在都重新賦予新的存在，叫文創🥰

[@puggsincyberspace]

The start and sound of the start reminded me of of photos of NYC

[@GgraceTseng]

真的餒。認同。台北信義區，走ㄧ走。就會看到貧民窟😱😱

[@dearesthui]

I grew up as an overseas Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore and I think 'aesthetic' has never been highly valued in the Chinese culture. Pragmatism, functionality and value-for-money are generally prioritised over aesthetic. You can see that in Chinese food (there is no concept of fine-dining), clothing and building architecture. I found much similarity in the traditional commercial building architecture in Taiwan and those in Malaysia and Singapore (less of them now but you can still see some of those old buildings in Geylang).

[@sunnydavis2000]

Every culture has its strengths and weaknesses. Taiwanese people, known for their non-judgmental nature, often don't feel pressured to maintain appearances, whether in their attire, food, or streets. If they ever start valuing aesthetics more, they might end up resembling Koreans.

[@yfllll]

When I go to Taiwan usually the first thing I notice is how it smells. It’s distinct and makes me go “ah, I’m home” It doesn’t actually smell good but it’s familiar and homey 😂 Taiwan is best experienced when you go more than once and can relax and meander. I brought my friend a couple of times and the more we go the more he wants to go back Over time it just feels more like home

[@chrisf8531]

I must have missed people walking snakes in Taiwan. I don't recall that part.

[@groupies225]

以前舊建築無法改善就算了，政府沒做好城市規劃，新大樓亂蓋，常常是自然風景的破壞王，有蓋的突兀的，有蓋一半廢棄在那，在東海岸那麽漂亮的風景，也可發現，在洄瀾星巴克門市旁也有巨大廢棄建築。淡水紅樹林沿岸的大樓，蓋比高的。😢

[@patriciahowellcassity767]

Really like the background music 🎼

[@tung1281]

很有趣的主題❤台灣真的在市容這方面很需要改進

[@aliciapai]

You're telling the truth.I like truth. Some area is improving though. Not just new buildings or parks make it look better, but some renovation or creative decorations of old apartments show up more and more. For example, they painted the walls of lots of the apartments near Weiwuying in Kaohsiung. Also when I rode on the tram around Kaohsiung, I saw many buildings along the line were painted which is quite nice.

[@yihamymb]

台灣的建築物就像不同年紀的人穿著各自年代風格，矗立在大街上。

[@robertzach7675]

Some of my Taiwanese friends said they don't maintain certain things like paint because of the frequent typhoons hitting the island. It's kinda the same Hongkong. Old buildings are only renovated after being deemed historically significant.

[@lioslo3275]

光是把防盜窗,凸出式廣告招牌,和鐵皮加蓋拆了就會差很多了~根本不用蓋新的

[@rueyhwashiue]

I am the landlord of an old rental apartment. My house leaks (the reason is that Taiwan is humid, earthquake-prone and the house is old). I use ugly iron sheets nailed to the roof to prevent rainwater from seeping into the roof. The reason I used iron sheets was because it was very cheap and because I was waiting for the house to undergo urban renewal and reconstruction, so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a complete renovation of the house. As for the reason why I haven't accepted the builder's reconstruction proposal yet, it's because this house was left by my parents, and I have a property rights dispute with my brother and sister, so the reconstruction of the house has been delaying.

[@TrailWalker03]

3:25 that's the reason. Though I've noticed a marked changed in the quality and look of new buildings since the 'return to China' mindset changed to 'we're here to stay' in the late 1980s - early '90s.

[@li-chinchen6320]

Prozzie is a genuine modern PHILOPHER; after all, no heaven on earth, that is, some situations cannot be solved so easily in a very short time. Thus, what people can do is try our/ their best to IMPROVE them, and, and, and... look for the bright side of other aspects.

[@K-dl4td]

講得很好，事實上在都市更新和市容改造，人潮再次活略，台灣在這方面確實有把誠品勤美當做案例🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@tinyboy789]

先天不良加上後天失調(可以談的很多),還有另一個原因大家比較忽略:宮廟文化

[@myboringplace]

台灣加上一些科技投影廣告看板就成了賽博龐克風格

[@chungtingc]

"I have no idea how to translate this"... this made my day LOL

[@Universaltruth99-m5s]

First I 'm so surprised that you said you didn't talk to any japanese. When we visit another country, I think to talk to the local ppl make the whole experience more meaningful. It's more important than food, sightseeing. Although English for most of japanese still is a barrier, but there's many translations tools now. I'm Taiwanese, every time when I cycle around I also felt sad n angry why many old buildings looks so shabby. I guess : 1) Taiwan government didn't set a rule to require building need to maintain the buildings every how many years. 2) for bigger buildings have collect administration fee every month. But for small buildings or personal residence, they didn't save money for future repair fee. so when one park broken, most of buildings just repir that part or even ignored it. 3) during japanese occupied time, no matter streets, public / personal buildings were well designed n maintain, because the japanese ruler set stric regulations. 4) after 1949, 國民黨 just came to Taiwan n brought around 1 million ppl, so the short of budget, accommodation n didn't treat Taiwan as a forever home all lead it to ugly. Too many reasons. So Taiwan need time to walk back to a normal way. But with blue n white try their best to against the running government not to cooperate or support to make Taiwan better. Many things we need to think to change the poor condition will hard to happen.

[@cedshred1676]

You missed Bar Nemanja in Yokohama, a real gem of a small, local cocktail bar.

[@joshbhoy]

I lived in China for 6 years amd Korea for 2 and I love the gritty feel of Taiwan (live in New Taipei so primarily talking about Taipei area). I love the Neon and lights at night and feels like a grimy version of Japan. Quite the opposite cyberpunk feel to a Tokyo. Think the happhazard layout is charming but I will say lack of sidewalks and pedestrian areas mean outside central Taipei walking is dangerous haha. But Great food, great people and plenty to do. My Mum came to visit me in both China and Taiwan and she loved Taiwan, thought it was cool. Like a mix of Japan and China. But think that might also be because my city Glasgow back in Scotland is quite a grity feeling city but its a great place.

[@RC681102]

台灣有種別的國家沒有的煙火氣，類似的味道97之前香港也有這種感覺(特別是九龍城寨)， 北京的老胡同，上海的舊弄堂也是這種感覺的代表，這種帶一點混亂的煙火氣，恰恰是魅力的代表,是市民自己慢慢發展出來的． 這些風格與人為規劃設計的城市不同，有如奇觀的香港的九龍城寨已經被拆除，北京的胡同與上海的弄堂不是消失就是變成景區， 台灣味道的醜陋建築，恰恰是我最愛的別緻風景，那代表了台灣這地方的人文也代表了溫度﹑ 讓我無論在哪裡看到城市的照片，就能第一時間分辨出這是台灣！而不是猜測這是首爾或是日本抑或是亞洲其他的任何一個城市！

[@ryankaly5443]

Nice title :) lovely aggresive style

[@PanKen-yq9hr]

台灣的外表不重要，重要的是人與人與土地的連結，這是我的故鄉，我跟家人與朋友一起成長的地方，外國的建築再多麼漂亮，沒有交集，跟我也沒關係，我愛台灣

[@danielc3029]

建築漂亮就無法人與人與土地的連結了嗎？ 你不介意市容，但一定有其它台灣人介意啊

[@teawithtams6596]

unpopular opinion, but aside from the run-down buildings, I think Taiwan would benefit from having a better sewage system and a lot less mopeds which is parked at every corner of the street, it's a nuisance and an eyesore.

[@-zn6du]

You also have to remember Japan has thousands of years of history, whereas (chinese colonised) Taiwan is only a few hundred. It’s like comparing America to the UK. A country that has had millennia to build its infrastructure and cultural atmosphere compared to one that has been colonised and in a sense borrowing history and culture from the older country it came from. (Yes there is a sense of turning it into their own thing over time.) Brilliant video and I agree with others that Taiwan definitely has its own wonderful charm which draws me back again and again. Japan is beautiful but Taiwan has my heart!

[@chavandposh]

I think you have to look at the legal restrictions on redevelopment in ROC laws or even in local level, this is what I heard from some of my Taiwanese friends are due to the laws passed during early 2000s under Chen's government. apparently it is very difficult to redevelop buildings and blocks in Taiwan for legal reasons.

[@twbalrog2028]

I love Taiwan's old school aesthetic

[@jayhu2296]

it's a love hate relationship really

[@林小路-r2l]

都更困難是一回事，但外國老房子也不少卻很有味道，純粹就是自私，最大化的去佔便宜，違章、鐵窗、霸佔騎樓、霸佔路邊停車...

[@李清士-x8j]

I like JPN because of beautiful environment and yummy food. As for why TWN cities are old and ugly, I have no answer. My best guess is that during that period, our economy was struggling, and we were under international pressure, so just surviving exhausted us. However, after succ in economy, the lack of long-term and well planning led to the current poor city appearance and terrible traffic. No excuses for us...

[@jackdark3012]

日本的房子看起來比較新 是因為他們有花錢在保養外觀...我印象中他們公寓或大樓是有繳一筆費用用來整修外觀的 好像10-20年要修一次......台灣沒有 完全看個人.......所以同樣年齡的房子 日本的也看起來新很多.......簡單來說就是建築的外觀跟你有沒有花錢成直接的關聯....

[@秋本まさひろ]

那跟他們法規相關，他們跟美國一樣....是要強制繳錢去維護大樓，台灣買了房之後...垮了你產權還在，所以很少人會維護那種東西

[@萬子謙]

日本有景觀法啊...

[@changenya9855]

I've just been back from Singapore and to be frank, some old areas in the Chinese zone such as People's Park Complex (珍珠坊) doesn't look or feel that different from the old spots in Taipei. I was staying in a quite decent looking hotel near the complex; however, the hot water runs out around 10 p.m. at night --- a situation I've never encountered wherever in a Taiwan hotel of the same price range. There are places in Taiwan, of course, are full of modern and even grand looking buildings --- Linkou(林口), Taichung Opera House surroundings, and Kaohsiung Harbor (especially near Pier 2) --- these are newly developed areas. As for the "ugly" looking buildings such as those in Taipei, the main reason of their existence is that the property owners are not forced by law to maintain their buildings' outer appearances, therefore most owners just pay attention to the function of the house rather than the outer look. I once hated the big amount of "eyesores" in Taiwan, but the older I grew and the more places I've been to, I gradually learned that it is just Taiwan being Taiwan. Like the Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey with its unique appearance in a combination of traditional churches and mosques, it is the symbolic landmark of Turkey. Similarly, the old street scenes in Taiwan, look like some places you can find in an Hayao Miyazaki film ~~ And as the old buildings are gradually replaced by the new ones, these scenes would became less and less.

[@a0929123599]

台灣人個性使然，經歷過貧窮年代，勤儉刻苦，能省則用（缺乏永續，維護的概念）老老一輩持續延至這個世代，造就舊世代風格，近世代利益導向的房產膨脹，無美學底蘊的精英架構強植各種不堪的台式美學或不清不楚的異國調性……就是個瘋狂而莫名的城市意象

[@ccj5062]

早期人們大多經濟拮倨，房屋買家和賣家重視的是省錢、便宜、好用、耐用，沒有設計美學的規劃投資。

[@廖嘉豐-f9m]

Agree with you Keep old and build new together

[@jlin7724]

I see a lot of comments suggesting Taiwan lacking aesthetics. I disagree. For one, Japan looks very industrial not aesthetic at all but there is a uniformity in their streets. Taiwan streets too much personal characteristics = 我方便爽就好.

[@li-chinchen6320]

As people and us Taiwanese can see, architectures which have been existing from Dutch, Spainsh, Japanese colonial period, and even Chin Dynasty are so elegant and amazing..., but especially those built during the period when Taiwan was ruled by KMT were so ugly, many hate them so much, ...really speechless!

[@我愛台灣不爽憋著-_-zzz]

因為歷史遺毒。早期國民黨是不打算建設台灣的、同時那時台灣也非常窮、因為國民黨把錢都花在反攻大陸上了。😅 這問題會慢慢改善的、只是可能需要比較久的時間、因為很多台灣人有個習慣、東西還能使用就會繼續使用、直到真的需要改善時才會動手去處理。不是全部人、但這比例70%是有的。😅

[@steventseng2513]

十大建設，台積電都是國民黨蔣經國時代創立的，國民黨建設台灣第一名

[@SelimBenSaid]

Looks like a Taiwanese restaurant on the right @ 04.25 - 台灣料理

[@minayang7857]

我討厭台中政府沒作為，台中市沒有騎樓給人民走路，還有小學生上學必須要走危險的馬路邊，還有火車站有大量的遊民長期占聚車站走道，台中市盧秀燕市長妳有聽見嗎？

[@Gordcallan]

I think your underlying theme of this video needs to be examined more mindfully by leading Taiwanese movers and shakers. While I, too, have heard the historical justifications, I don’t buy them any more: Taiwan has moved on in so many respects since those times and yet it is still on automatic pilot where quality infrastructure and policy management is concerned. The country’s laid back and laissez faire approach to everything from architecture, zoning, food safety and overall cleanliness does have future implications for the country, not to mention its immediate desire to attract more foreign tourism. Yes, while you do eventually get used to it all if you live here for a while, as soon as you leave the country and visit other countries, you realize just how far behind Taiwan is in comparison. In short, there is a lack of strategic passion for excellence. For example, no one seems to care that there are next to no sidewalks;that there is a preponderance of filthy and decrepit buildings that would be condemned in other countries; that builders use inferior building materials that rust and pollute; that there are open sewers that stink; that there is a sea of restaurants that have makeshift exhaust pipes and wiring exposed for all to see; that many food stalls are operating illegally; that noise-polluting vehicles with exhaust modifications dominate the streets; that street-market vendors don’t conform to basic food safety protocols; that so many motor cyclists violate every road-safety protocol in the book; that smoking is everywhere, etc. While no country is perfect, and while Taiwan is not grappling with the extent of crime and homelessness of some other countries, you still don’t see the extent of its systemic slipshod behaviour in other progressive countries. Here, the mentality is, “oh, it’s okay --you think too much”. Prozzie, your comparative case-in-point, Japan, is a compelling contrast. Taiwan is such a beautiful country but its lack of striving to be the best and willingness to accept mediocrity is preventing it from moving forward.

[@expatleanie]

Haha I’m from Cape Town Sa.. so the cityscapes here are a bitter pill to swallow for me.. That said I liked Asian culture back home and when I came here ..I was like oh wow this is the real deal even better than the generic one. The layout of the city definately didn’t impress me , however I knew that already and lowered my expectations .. 😂

[@R.O.Cstyle]

我個人認爲台灣的城市醜是因爲建築太髒！不是因爲老，而是髒！台灣人買的的房子，除非是大樓而且是有人管理的大樓，否則多數公寓甚至是封閉式的小社區對於房子的外觀通常都是從不清理！大家會擦窗戶，會打掃門前，但就是不會清理外墻！就這樣，這房子只要過個幾十年，看起來就像是幾百嵗一樣！歐美，日本的政府會要求住家必須清理房子外觀，保持一定的整潔！我想這就是差別！

[@destinykimo]

很多外國友人留言說 台灣城市外觀醜但是很有個性 比較像真實在住的地方 但我覺得Prozzie想表達的意思應該在於規劃上 比如台灣的交通就是因為城市規劃不完善造成的一堆問題 這不僅危害用路人 也讓市容會變得凌亂 台灣舊建築有它的魅力 但是如果能在完善的城市規劃上展現或許能讓台灣更有吸引力

[@nickzheng4009]

交通及街景…改善的速度很緩慢，政府也不敢推動，只為自己方便的無知選民的選票還是佔大部分，只能等都市更新、重劃區慢慢覆蓋過去