Taipei City Government

1. Land needed for Taipei MRT construction is purchased through negotiations with the land owner (similar to private-to-private purchases). Once an agreement is reached, a purchase contract is signed. Another option is land expropriation. Compensation is calculated according to Article 30 of the Land Expropriation Act: "The value of expropriated land shall be compensated based on its current market value. The value of land reserved for public facilities in the urban planning area shall be compensated based on the average market value of its adjoining lands not reserved for public facilities. The market value shall be forwarded by the municipal or county (city) competent authority to the Land Value Evaluation Committee for determination."
2. It is not unusual for land owners to seek additional compensation and some will resort to unreasonable protests. Government agencies prefer to respond with additional negotiations. However, the use of police force will not be ruled out should it become necessary. As for land value via negotiation, the compensation paid shall not be less than the transaction price. In addition, the land value increment tax shall be exempted when the land is compulsorily purchased, according to Article 42 of the Equalization of Land Rights.