Taichung, Taiwan (pop 2.7 million) has beaten out six other finalists to claim the Intelligent Community Forum’s (ICF) designation as "intelligent community of the year". Robert Bell and Sylvie Albert describe what makes the city an intelligent icon.
"Why did Taichung stand out among its peers? One factor was powerful collaboration on job creation among universities, business and government, with staggering results. The city is home to 17 colleges and universities and to seven major technology parks, just one of which generated 8,000 new jobs," say Bell and Albert, award judges. "Another factor was skill in managing the digital divide."
"Taichung has also transformed a somewhat gritty urban environment — nicknamed the Mechanical Kingdom — into a place known for culture, from food to the arts. Not just a 'nice to have' feature, culture adds to the quality of life that attracts Taiwan’s most innovative individuals and companies."
"Taichung joins a select group of intelligent communities of the year that includes Riverside, California; Stockholm, Sweden; Suwon, South Korea and Eindhoven in the Netherlands," add the authors. "And as one of 119 intelligent communities named by ICF, it assumes the responsibility of providing an economic development model for communities large and small around the globe."
FULL STORY: What makes Taichung the intelligent community of the year? The judges explain
Californians Seek Normalcy by Relocating to Taiwan
As the pandemic continues to disrupt life in the United States, some Taiwanese Americans are rebuilding their lives abroad.
The Singapore Exception
Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong were credited early in the pandemic with having successfully contained the coronavirus without resorting to lockdowns. However, Singapore lost its standing in that elite group. Crowding vs. density may explain why.
Coronavirus Success Stories
While the U.S. leads the world in COVID-19 infections and deaths, a small group of nations defied the odds and has shown remarkable success in containing the coronavirus. NPR investigates what they share in common, with a focus on New Zealand.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research