Taipei (Taibei) city (state capital), contemporary issues - - Pictures
Taipei suffers some of the same social problems found in other large metropolitan cities. The crime rate has increased markedly in recent years, with particularly sharp increases in robbery, assaults, and gambling. Juvenile delinquency and organized crime have also increased. Prostitution, including teenage prostitution, is also a problem. In response to the overall increase in crime, the government expanded law enforcement and called for public cooperation to fight crime.
Taipei has a number of environmental problems, which the Taipei Department of Environmental Protection is working to address. These include water pollution from industrial effluents and other sources, and increasing air and noise pollution. Perhaps Taipei's most visible problem is its serious traffic congestion. A 4-km (2.5-mi) trip can take one hour by car. The difficulty this poses for businesses has caused many companies to move to suburban areas. Several measures attempted to address the congestion, including stricter traffic laws, road accessibility restrictions, reconstructing the railroad below ground in the city, improvements to the city bus system, and the construction of the Taipei Mass Transit Rail System.
