Abstract
Although Taipei and New Taipei together constitute the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan, studies have indicated that they are classified into 2 different categories of livability regarding urban development. Taipei is the most developed and livable city in Taiwan; although the adjacent New Taipei suburb is not as urbanized or livable, it is steadily improving. Frequently viewed as an extension of Taipei, New Taipei is actually distinct in various aspects and has its own developmental trajectory. These 2 municipalities provide differing livability conditions; thus, with integration, the overlapping and complementary nature of the services provided by Taipei and New Taipei can enable the expansion of the metropolitan service area to a greater urban scale, resulting in an aggregation effect. Without integration, the varying livability conditions will still allow the 2 municipalities to become highly complementary and mutually dependent cities. However, both municipalities face challenges, such as significantly low population growth, and negative consequences associated with a high degree of urbanization, including low birth rates, insufficient public areas, lagged urban planning, and the lack of a coherent vision. These issues must be addressed in the future development of the capital region of Taiwan to efficiently improve livability and community welfare.
