On September 17, 2026, Dr.Sopon Pornchokchai, President, Agency for Real Estate Affairs found some Atypical “Slum” in Taichung, Taiwan.
 

From AI:
 

Taichung does not have large-scale, traditional slums like those found in some developing countries. Thanks to rapid economic development, high living standards, and comprehensive urban renewal over the decades, the widespread informal shantytowns that existed in the mid-20th century have been mostly eliminated through government housing projects and clearances. However, you can still find historic remnants of informal settlements, blighted areas, and pockets of urban decay within the city limits:
 

1. Military Dependents' Villages (Juancun)Following the late 1940s, temporary housing built for Nationalist soldiers evolved into permanent, crowded settlements. Over time, many deteriorated into structural urban slums. While most have been demolished for modern high-rises or social housing, a few have been preserved: Rainbow Village4.2(34.3K)Tourist attraction Chun'an Village, Nantun District, Taichung
 

Located in the Nantun District, this former military settlement was slated for demolition as an urban slum. It was famously saved when a resident veteran, Huang Yung-fu, covered the streets and buildings in vibrant paintings, converting the area into a massive cultural tourist hotspot.
 

2. Old Town Decay (Central District)The Central District (中區) was once the booming commercial heart of Taichung during the Japanese colonial era and mid-20th century. As development shifted west toward newer areas like the Xitun District, the older core experienced severe urban decay.You will find narrow alleyways, crumbling older buildings, and abandoned commercial structures here.The area around Taichung Train Station and parts of the old red-light district show signs of blight and host a visible portion of the city's small homeless population.
 

3. First Square / ASEAN Square (第一廣場)Located near the main train station, this massive commercial building complex went from a premier shopping destination to a neglected, run-down space after a catastrophic fire in the 1990s and shifting city centers. Rather than a residential slum, it has transformed into a vibrant cultural hub predominantly used by Southeast Asian migrant workers, featuring budget markets, eateries, and affordable boarding spaces.
 

How Taichung Manages Housing PovertyInstead of allowing informal squatter settlements to spread, the Taichung City Government utilizes two primary mechanisms:
 

1. Social Housing Projects: Taichung aggressively builds modern, eco-friendly social housing (such as the Taiping Yuhsien project) to provide heavily subsidized, aesthetic living options for lower-income residents.
 

2. Squatter Demolition: The Department of Urban Development actively monitors and clears illegal structures to prevent hazardous shanties from forming.
 

Atypical “Slum” in Taichung, Taiwan : 
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1439582874799203

 

Atypical “Slum” in Taichung, Taiwan : 
https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.sopon4/video/7686313681809902868?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7529390793342158344

 

Atypical “Slum” in Taichung, Taiwan : 
https://youtube.com/shorts/zHPxPuX3iJo?feature=share