Chiang and much ado about nothing

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) this month toured the city’s Shida (師大) neighborhood to inspect the area’s pedestrian-friendly zones and the city’s YouBike system. The mayor posed for a photo-op crouching by the side of the road with a group of people, reaching out to touch the pavement.

The problem is that revamping the pedestrian area on Shida Road was completed in the second half of last year, and given that Chiang already made a hoo-ha about it earlier this year, making another spectacle out of a second road inspection seems rather superfluous.

Seeking repeated recognition for his municipal achievements, Chiang is again playing to the gallery for political gain. Naturally, his behavior attracts scrutiny. Residents are not interested in how many times the mayor touches the ground; they are concerned about the problems in Taipei that have yet to be addressed seriously.

It comes as no surprise that the public might feeling that way, especially after a string of controversies in the city.

First, the public art bus shelter next to Muzha Park (木柵公園) in Taipei’s Wenshan District (文山) cost NT$4.13 million (US$129,956). Yet before it even opened, part of the structure showed rust stains and it was surrounded by withered plants.

Second, in the Gongguan (公館) area near National Taiwan University, a fenced-in smoking section received harsh criticism. The fixtures were dismantled at seven sites, costing about NT$149,000 each.

Third, sunshade structures in Xinyi District (信義) have drawn questions over their utility and cost.

On the day of the Shida inspection, reporters asked about an elderly man with a cane who fell on the MRT after support poles in the center of carriages were removed. Chiang returned to his refrain of “we will review and improve accordingly.”

The playbook of “build first, fix later,” “install first, dismantle later” and “review only after something goes wrong” naturally leads to backlash from residents over a lack of planning.

Chiang has also been promoting a policy of providing “fresh milk for every child.” Starting in April last year, Taipei elementary-school and kindergarten students could redeem one milk product a week. At the end of August, it was extended to junior-high students, benefiting about 289,000 children.

However, Tainan was already providing students with dairy products, up to three times a week at one point, as early as 2024, in line with a central government policy. Taipei is by no means the first to pursue such a policy.

Policies should be judged based on coverage, frequency and how long it lasts, not who blows their trumpet the loudest.

Chiang’s insecurity over his political record manifests when the form outweighs the substance, producing the absurd sight of a mayor crouching by the roadside to touch the pavement.

Strong municipal governance is not about daily photo ops. Residents know for themselves whether the roads are safe. People waiting for a bus know whether the bus shelter keeps out the rain. MRT riders know whether there is nothing to hold on to.

A mayor does not build a political record through staged photo ops. Rather than pointing at the street and proclaiming it a political achievement, why not fix the facilities plagued with problems?