As mayor of Taipei (1978-81), Dr. Lee strove to improve the city's transportation systems, promoted the arts, encouraged popular participation at the committee level, and introduced scientific management principles in government.
爾後他在台北市長任內，曾大力改善台北市交通，開辦台北市音樂季、藝術季。為了推展這些活動，他甚至在繁忙的公務之餘，親自將「浮士德」歌劇譯為中文。