Abstract
Climate change is the long-term shift in the statistics of the weather. In Taiwan, based on the historical data, we know the impacts of climate change. Taiwan is facing a great challenge from climate change and inappropriate land development. Floods and debris flows caused by torrential typhoon rains have become increasingly common, resulting in severe damage to land resources, loss of soil and water resources, and environmental degradation.
This talk aims to show the dangers and risks associated with the climate change and inappropriate land development in Taiwan, and the corresponding strategic plans for national spatial development and comprehensive water management. The government has a responsibility to the people who have settled in Taiwan over the generations, to conduct national land planning and development in a way that satisfies everyone’s greatest aspiration in life by creating a suitable home and work environment, and also to avoid being struck by natural disasters. Finally, case studies of Chung-Kang Drainage Channel Restructuring Project, Taipei Metropolitan Central Park, and the constructed wetlands in New Taipei City will be discussed as our successful examples for water quality improvement, flooding risk reduction, and development for sustainable urban environment in Taiwan.
About the speaker
Prof Hong-Yuan Lee received his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of Iowa in 1984. He served as Deputy Governor of Taipei County Government and the Director of Water Resources Department in the Taiwan Provincial Government from 1997 to 1998, and Minister of the Public Construction Commission from 2011 to 2012. He has been a Professor of Civil Engineering at the National Taiwan University since 1988, and is currently Minister of the Interior of Taiwan.
Prof Lee is a hydraulic expert specializing in environmental fluid mechanics and river engineering. He has served as consultant in the field of water engineering to many organizations globally. He is passionate about sustainable development and has published extensively on sustainability concept and policy. He has held Visiting Professorships in UNESCO-IHE in the Netherlands and Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute.
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