The legislature passed the first reading of the Landscape Architecture Act on Wednesday. The Act aims to establish guidelines on managing Taiwan’s landscapes.
The act defines “landscapes” as all man-made, natural, and cultural landscapes, but excludes architecture. It establishes guidelines for planning, managing, and improving Taiwan’s landscapes.
Under the act, all landscape-related policies will be subject to Cabinet approval and will have to be discussed at least once every five years. The central government will only be able to alter important landscapes in emergencies. The act will also require the use of advisors in managing landscapes.
KMT legislator Chiau Wen-Yan said Wednesday that the act will serve as the guideline for managing landscapes at different levels of government.
“[The act] is divided into management guidelines for national landscapes, the highest level, and guidelines for city and county-level landscapes. The most important thing right now is to clearly divide the landscapes into different jurisdictions," said Chiau.
The act also sets out a fine of between NT$6,000 to NT$300,000 for violations of the guidelines.