Taipei's plan to cool down Xinyi District with sidewalk shade umbrellas has slipped badly, leaving people without shade through the hottest months.

• The city said the eight mushroom-shaped umbrellas would be up by the end of August, but records show the finish date is mid-January next year.
• The project costs more than NT$50 million and covers five spots in the Xinyi planning area.
• Residents have started asking where the promised umbrellas are, and councilor Chen You-cheng says the city rushed the announcement before the work was ready.
• The city's construction office says building has begun and it is speeding up while keeping quality and safety.
• Chen also wants shade added outside Xinyi, suggesting the Neihu tech park, and says a telecom company has offered to donate a smart shade unit.

Outlook: The umbrellas will likely be finished in winter, long after the summer heat they were meant to relieve, while the city weighs adding shade in other districts.