Abstract
Purpose of study. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between population factors, economic factors, and political factors influencing construction of low-income housing (LIHC) in the period from 1980 to 1991 in Kaoshiung city. Urban populations in Kaoshiung exploded so quickly, that the city could not provide the assistance of LIHC for the thousands of rural-to-urban migrants. Hypotheses. (a) Changes in the population were followed by changes in low-income housing construction; (b) Increases in the gross domestic product were followed by increases in low-income housing construction; (c) Changes in the consumer price index were followed by changes in low-income housing construction; (d) Changes in the land-value-increment tax was followed by increases in low-income housing construction; (e) Political environmental, economic growth, and social changes appeared to relate to low-income housing construction. Study models. This study constructed two models: the urban System Model and the Demand and Supply Model. The first focused on population factors, economic factors, and political and institutional factors to define the interrelationships which affected the urban system and influenced each other in the circularity of the meta-system. The second model interacted with the first model in a rotation to keep in harmony with nature, life for the population, and LIHC. Methodology. This study included a field study in December 1991, involving personal interviews and visits governmental agencies to retrieve archival documents in Kaoshiung. Pearson's Correlation Coefficient was selected to test the relationship between the dependent variable LIHC and the independent variables: POP, GDP, CPI, LVIT. Findings. The results support the rejection of the research hypotheses based on the known relationship of the null hypotheses and the research hypotheses. The political factors of "politicking" and "favoritism" appear to have influenced LIHC in ways which nullified the linear effects of the study variables. Conclusions and recommendations. (a) Political and economic factors work against the rational study model providing utility for planning; (b) Future studies should raise questions on how the election culture in Kaoshiung affected social migration and economic development to offset public housing study. It is recommended that: (1) Changes be made to strengthen the Public Housing Act. (2) The rate setting process for land value increase be open and public city assembly. (3) An information system be developed for better city planning.