In response to technological development trends and environmental sustainability, Taichung Mayor Shiu-Yen Lu is actively developing a smart city. Today (24th), the city's Digital Governance Bureau partnered with the National Museum of Natural Science hosted the “Taichung Smart City and Net-Zero Transformation Forum”, and invited four domestic experts and scholars from industry, government, academia, and research sectors to discuss how to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the digital era. Deputy Mayor Zhao-Xin Zheng stated that in recent years, Mayor Lu has been actively promoting digital governance and environmental sustainability, successfully driving dual-axis transformation, and making Taichung a livable and happy city.

Deputy Mayor Zheng noted that Taichung City has been repeatedly recognized by the media as the most livable city in Taiwan. The continuous influx of new residents has officially pushed Taichung's population beyond 2.85 million, solidifying its reputation as “The Happiest City” in Taiwan. To maintain this happy city, the city government has spared no effort in low-carbon sustainability and digital development. Under Mayor Lu's leadership, Taichung has successfully achieved “Net-Zero Transformation”, with significant developments in low-carbon transportation infrastructure, including expanding both YouBike stations from 300 to over 1,300 and the electric bus fleet to 280 vehicles, and solar power development has reached a fourfold increase target - exceeding the power generation capacity of a coal-fired power unit. These achievements effectively promote the city's transition to green energy.

 “The two keys to future happiness are intelligence and sustainability!” Deputy Mayor Zheng stated that the Digital Governance Bureau is further promoting cross-sector collaboration by hosting the “Taichung Smart City and Net-Zero Transformation Forum”.

 The forum has invited Da-Qian Sun, Professor at CTBC Business School and Executive Director of the Center of Mobile Banking, Mr. Shu-Sheng Pu, General Manager of the British Standard Institution Northeast Asia, Hong-Yi Chen, Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, and Chuan-Jin Jiao, Director of the National Museum of Natural Science, to share their insights on promoting innovative industrial development under the dual-axis transformation as well as the strategies and effectiveness for achieving the 2050 net-zero emissions target, ensuring Taichung's sustainable development in the face of climate change challenges.

Director Gu-Long Lin of the Digital Governance Bureau also stated that Taichung City has made remarkable achievements in digital transformation and smart city development. As an example, the digital citizen platform “Taichung Pass” has been downloaded over 2.46 million times. The city government utilizes this platform to provide convenient municipal services and citizen-friendly measures, effectively reducing paper usage and transportation costs, and lowering the carbon footprint of citizens when accessing government services. This demonstrates how Taichung's promotion of digital transformation and net-zero transformation are complementary and mutually beneficial.

 The forum held today was attended by a distinguished group of experts and scholars to make the event a success, including Deputy Mayor Zhao-Xin Zheng, Digital Governance Bureau Director Gu-Long Lin, Environmental Protection Bureau Director Hong-Yi Chen, National Museum of Natural Science Director Chuan-Jin Jiao, Professor Wen-Juan Yen from Chung Shan Medical University and Director of the University Social Responsibility Office, and Professor Xing-Hua Wang from Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology and Executive Director of the Center for Sustainable Development and University Social Responsibility Promotion.