Taipei's cloaking device

No, not that kind of cloaking device.

A company in Taipei is planning to build a city-wide wireless network, covering about 100 square miles, and costing US$70 million.

A few US cities have announced similar plans, but I'm thinking this one has a better chance of becoming a reality. First of all, the cost projection is much more reasonable than Philly's estimated US$10 million (plus an ongoing yearly cost). Secondly, the project seems to have broad support from city officials, due to the proposed 1-3% revenue tax. Finally, Taiwan seems to be on a roll with major projects:

Taipei's subway system (of 4 underground lines and a light rail line) was designed, approved, and constructed in record time. There are several expansions under construction through 2006. Kaohsiung, not to be outdone, is opening its own subway system (of 2 lines and 2 more in the future) in 2005.

Taipei 101, completed this year, is currently the world's tallest building, at 509 meters. It has built on the success of the adjacent Warner Village shopping center, also a recent development, and helped revitalize eastern Taipei.

A new high speed railway, based on Japan's Shinkansen, is scheduled for completion in 2005, and will transport passengers from Taipei to Kaohsiung in 90 minutes. Currently it's a four to six hour ride, or a one hour flight.

On the other side of the world, San Francisco has finished tearing down the Central Freeway, and has no plans to build another highway through (or under, or around) the city. I've taken to encouraging my parents to move from Marin to the Peninsula, so I can avoid slogging through two hours of tourist-infested traffic to go visit them.