New Taipei City faces surge in aging residential buildings

New Taipei City currently holds the largest volume of aging residential properties in Taiwan, with over 102,800 old houses reported. Notably, more than 220,000 of these buildings are over 50 years old, meaning approximately one in every ten homes in the city is a “grandparent-class” residence.

Experts warn that reinforced concrete structures typically have an economic lifespan of 50 years. Factors such as carbon dioxide exposure, humidity, and frequent seismic activity in Taiwan can accelerate structural deterioration, including steel reinforcement corrosion and concrete cracking.

While residents seek urban renewal to ensure safety, the process remains slow due to administrative manpower shortages and processing bottlenecks. Industry professionals suggest that the government should consider increasing floor area ratio incentives for buildings with high safety risks, such as those with insufficient earthquake resistance, to accelerate reconstruction efforts.