On November 10, the Department of Environmental Protection of the Taoyuan City Government (TYDEP) participated in the 2024 9th Asia Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development (ACESD 2024) in Osaka, Japan. Taoyuan presented two key policy initiatives: the "AI Construction Dust Smart Sprinkler Management System" and the "Longtan Great Pond Water Quality Improvement and Water Environment Construction Project", sharing its environmental governance experiences with representatives from various countries. The ACESD, a prominent conference in the field of environment and sustainable development, attracted 174 research paper submissions from across Asia, with 78 papers selected for presentation. Taoyuan's two submissions were both selected, making it the only local government from Taiwan to present its governance achievements at the event during its debut participation.
Chen Shih-wei, Director General of TYDEP, highlighted that the ACESD is organized by Japan’s International Cooperation Network (iNehc) and the International Journal of Environmental Science and Development (IJESD), with technical support from Yokohama National University, the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Nagasaki University, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The conference serves as a leading international platform for researchers, practitioners, and professionals from industry, academia, and government to discuss developments and case studies in environmental and sustainable technologies. It aims to foster exchanges among stakeholders with shared interests in improving environmental and sustainability practices, with an annual paper competition as a key feature. This year, Taoyuan’s two initiatives, the AI Construction Dust Smart Sprinkler Management System and the Longtan Great Pond Water Quality Improvement and Water Environment Construction Project, stood out among numerous submissions from across Asia. Both were included in the conference proceedings, providing valuable references for countries across the region. The recognition of these two initiatives underscores the substantial achievements of Taoyuan’s sustainability and smart governance policies, highlighting the city’s leadership in environmental innovation and development.
According to the TYDEP, the AI Construction Dust Smart Sprinkler Management System is one of the seven AI technologies under Taoyuan’s AI Environmental Pollution Recognition System, designed to effectively control particulate pollutants generated by construction activities. By leveraging air quality sensors and dust recognition systems, the system can detect construction dust and activate sprinkling equipment within one second. Since January 2023, the Taoyuan City Government has overseen the implementation of this system in major projects such as the Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 construction, the A21 MRT land acquisition project, and the Taipower Datan Power Plant site. The data from the Terminal 3 project over the past two years demonstrate significant environmental benefits, including saving 60 tons of water, preventing five hectares' worth of anti-dust net waste, reducing 100 tons of fine particulate matter emissions, and cutting carbon emissions by 94 tons.
In March this year, the Terminal 3 construction site was designated as a model for nationwide learning visits by environmental protection bureaus and large-scale public engineering contractors. The application of this system earned it the Silver Award for Excellence in Construction Site Environmental Management Actions from the Ministry of Environment, showcasing its effectiveness in advancing sustainable construction practices.
Another key policy initiative is the Longtan Great Pond Water Quality Improvement and Water Environment Construction Project, which integrates gravel contact oxidation facilities and multi-layer composite filter techniques. The project has transformed the site into the Longtan Great Pond Water Environment Education Park, addressing the pond's eutrophication issues. Since beginning operations in July 2022, the facility has demonstrated excellent pollutant removal capabilities, achieving a 93% removal efficiency for suspended solids and over 87% removal efficiency for ammonia nitrogen. Beyond water purification, the site features 1.6 hectares of landscaped green spaces, including 158 trees and 56,182 shrubs, providing a recreational area for residents. The project also contributes to carbon reduction efforts, cutting emissions by 1,123 tCO2e. Furthermore, by incorporating low-impact development (LID) principles, the design enhances water retention capabilities across the site. An underground corridor equipped with observation windows allows visitors to view the water purification process, making the site a hub for environmental education.
The TYDEP noted that Taoyuan has actively invested in smart technology applications in recent years. By utilizing AI and IoT technologies, the city has enhanced its ability to protect air quality, improve river water quality, maintain environmental sanitation, and regulate motorcycle noise, thereby improving the efficiency of environmental inspections. Additionally, engineering solutions such as the Longtan project effectively purify water bodies, offer environmental education, and create scenic recreational spaces, significantly enhancing the quality of public services for citizens.