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By Rodrigo Santos Andrade
Taiwan’s “ugly” architecture problem: The debate over metal window grilles | Asian Insider podcast
visibility comment0 event January 2, 2026 timer 06:00
Metal window grilles were meant to keep households safe from burglars but they have been fingered as eyesores
One of Taiwan’s names is "Formosa" – given by Portuguese sailors who sighted the island in the 16th century and called it “Beautiful Island” given its natural wonders such as mountains, forests and hot springs.
In more recent times though, Taiwanese officials and designers have complained about a man-made blight across its cities: ubiquitous, often rusty, metal grilles criss-crossing windows.
They surface a larger discussion about the pace of urban renewal in Taiwan – a challenge that many Asian cities face, given the competing imperatives between urban renewal, heritage conservation and the rights of homeowners.
Highlights (click/tap above):
01:00 The ugly truth about Taipei’s buildings
03:03 Taiwan’s window bars mystery
04:56 The beauty behind the rust
07:55 Challenges in urban redevelopment
12:12 Cycling and pedestrian safety in Taiwan
Read Yip Wai Yee’s article here: https://str.sg/7U6y
Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR
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Host: Li Xueying ([email protected])
Edited by: Fa’izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
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