Taipei is testing a new pedestrian zone on well-known Yongkang Street, giving visitors foot-traffic weekends to stroll freely.
The Taipei City Department of Transportation has, for the first time, designated the popular Yongkang Street as a pedestrian zone, offering visitors a leisurely space to stroll. The pilot program will run for one month, starting May 10, operating daily from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., during which pedestrians can roam freely throughout the area.
However, the department clarified that Yongkang Street will function as a weekend pedestrian zone, not a fully car-free area. Given the neighborhood’s mixed residential and commercial nature, vehicles with special access permits will still be allowed to enter under certain conditions, though drivers must proceed slowly and with caution.
Taipei currently has seven major pedestrian zones. Ximending, the busiest among them, has been in place for over 25 years, while Dihua Street’s pedestrian zone has been active for nearly seven. A past attempt to pedestrianize Gongguan was scrapped after 71% of local residents opposed the plan. The department admitted that the failure stemmed from not accounting for the needs of mixed-use communities, where residents still require vehicle access. For Yongkang’s trial, officials say they will actively gather public feedback to ensure the project can make strides forward successfully.