New Taipei City has once again received international recognition for its achievements in smart city development! The city government’s “5G Smart Poles” project, which integrates 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), video streaming, and modular site-specific installations, was honored on April 14th (U.S. time) at the 2025 Smart 20 Awards held at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. This recognition affirms New Taipei’s success in enhancing city governance and operational efficiency through smart integration, as well as its leading role in global smart city development.

The Smart Cities Connect organization in the United States has hosted the Smart 50 Awards annually since 2017. Beginning in 2024, the format shifted to the Smart 20 Awards, recognizing the 20 most innovative and impactful smart city applications worldwide. Judging criteria include technological innovation, sustainable development, public-private partnerships, urban operations, digital transformation, public policy, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and public transportation. Winning projects serve as benchmarks in cross-sector collaboration and data application, with the potential to significantly improve quality of life for citizens. As such, the award is considered a major milestone in the global smart city sector.

This year’s winning projects came from cities around the world. Among them, “New Taipei City: New Taipei Smart Poles: Building a New Paradigm for Future Cities” stood out and drew significant attention on the global smart city stage.
Chen Fu-Tien, the director of the Information Management Center, stated that the award is a strong affirmation of the city’s commitment to smart city development. The success of the Smart Poles project lies in its use of AI and big data technologies to integrate IoT, communication equipment, and modular components into pole infrastructure that supports a wide range of urban services. These smart poles enhance public safety, traffic management, environmental monitoring, and economic growth. They effectively transform traditional streetlights from single-purpose lighting into core infrastructure that supports a smarter and more connected city, ultimately improving quality of life for residents.

Chen also highlighted that this innovation reflects New Taipei’s progress in smart infrastructure, digital governance, and environmental sustainability. The project was able to stand out among many international contenders and ultimately earned the city a 2025 Smart 20 Award.

According to the Information Management Center, New Taipei City, Taiwan’s most populous municipality, has actively promoted smart city initiatives in recent years, focusing on the use of technological innovation to improve quality of life. Winning this global smart city award further confirms the city’s leadership in smart infrastructure, forward-thinking governance, and sustainable development. Looking ahead, New Taipei will continue to pursue industrial upgrades and digital transformation in line with global smart city trends. The ultimate goal is to build a more livable, sustainable, and resilient city for the future. This award marks an important milestone for New Taipei City and significantly enhances Taiwan’s visibility in the global smart city arena.