Settler urban legacies: A case study of Taipei City

Similar to a colonial state, a settler state is governed by an outside regime. In comparison with conventional colonists, however, the settler rulers regard the settled land as their homeland, rather than just a land with exploitable resources. To secure its legitimacy, the settler government has to strongly control the locals. Democratization could undermine settler rule and the settler state’s built environment could be affected by such a political transition and subsequent political transformation. This article explores the implications of settler urban legacies by examining an iconic landmark and public housing policies in Taipei City, Taiwan. The results suggest that the transition of settler rule has given rise to urban changes related to the interests of the locals. The paper outlines the city’s future urban scene, because settler urban legacies were deeply rooted in the political and urban landscapes of the nation.

► Colonists regard the colony as a temporary settlement while settlers regard the settled land as permanent homeland.
► The transition of settler rule has given rise to urban changes related to interest of the locals.
► Settler urban legacies are deeply rooted in the political and urban landscapes of the country.
► The city of political transformation is still affected by settler urban legacies.