JONATHAN HOPFNER

Wrote “The Taipei Way,”

“Having lived many years in Hong Kong, where battles over the use of space are intense and won most of the time by commercial interests, Taipei is a breath of fresh air,” says Hopfner, a former journalist and co-founder of a communications consultancy who has authored several regional guidebooks and contributes to publications such as Wallpaper*, Design Anthology, and the South China Morning Post. “While some of the city’s regeneration projects have been better received than others, overall it’s inspiring to experience a place that seems to at least sometimes prioritize wellbeing and providing a base for creative pursuits over maximum profit. It certainly makes Taipei a great place to explore.”

Across Taiwan’s capital, restoration projects and a democratic approach to urban planning are transforming the city from the ground up. Here’s a fresh look at one of the most livable places in Asia.