Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan has been awarded the “2026 Smart City Outstanding Contribution Award” by Wealth Magazine, in recognition of Yunlin County’s achievements in smart governance, digital transformation, and sustainable development. Speaking at the 2026 Smart City New Economic Power Forum and Outstanding Contribution Awards Ceremony this afternoon (August 13), Magistrate Chang stated that a smart city is not a competition of technology, but rather the application of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data to solve citizens’ everyday challenges and create a happy, safe, and sustainable living environment.
The 2026 Smart City New Economic Power Forum and Outstanding Contribution Awards Ceremony, organized by Wealth Magazine today at the Taipei Marriott Hotel, was held under the theme “Technology × Intelligence: Building Happy and Safe Cities.” Representatives from central and local governments, industry, and academia gathered to explore how smart technologies, big data, and artificial intelligence can help cities address challenges such as climate change, public safety, and social structural transformation. Magistrate Chang was invited to receive the 2026 Smart City Outstanding Contribution Award and share Yunlin County’s experience and achievements in advancing smart governance.
Magistrate Chang noted that Yunlin County has consistently adhered to a people-centered governance philosophy in promoting smart city development. The objective of smart governance is not technology itself, but improving citizens’ lives and enhancing government efficiency through technology. In recent years, the county government has launched a range of innovative services, including the Yunlin Coin App, the Cloud Joint Service Center, the generative AI platform YunlinGPT, and the “Tianlun D+” smart positioning service. Through digital technologies, Yunlin has created government services that are more convenient, efficient, and responsive to public needs, bringing smart governance into everyday life.
Magistrate Chang further pointed out that, while Yunlin is widely known as an agricultural county, it is also one of Taiwan’s leading demonstration cities for smart agriculture. The county government has actively introduced artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), environmental sensing technologies, automated control systems, and big data analytics to develop smart irrigation, smart aquaculture, intelligent poultry houses, and pest and disease identification applications. These efforts are complemented by cold-chain logistics, brand marketing, and value-added processing upgrades, driving the transformation and upgrading of the agricultural sector. Yunlin’s total agricultural output value has now reached NT$94.8 billion, while the “Yunlin Good Products” brand has generated more than NT$2.4 billion in economic benefits, demonstrating the new value technology can bring to agriculture.
In addition to smart agriculture, the county government has expanded smart governance into public safety, environmental sustainability, healthcare, education, and social welfare. Initiatives include smart disaster prevention, anti-fraud systems, smart emergency medical services, rural healthcare programs, smart classrooms, circular economy projects, and all-age care services. These innovations not only improve administrative efficiency but also serve as a vital force in caring for residents and narrowing the urban-rural divide.
Magistrate Chang stated that Yunlin’s achievements in smart governance have continued to receive recognition from various sectors. In the Wealth Magazine 2025 Smart City Survey, Yunlin was selected as a leading city in two AI application categories: “Education, Culture and Social Services Applications” and “Administrative Efficiency Systems Applications,” through the projects “A New Governance Blueprint for Responding Sustainably to an Aging Society: Social Services × Smart Technology” and “Yunlin County Environmental Smart Decision Support System.” In the 2026 survey, Yunlin once again ranked among the leading cities through three projects: “2026 Smart Flood Disaster Prevention Plan – Monitoring Equipment for Resilient Disaster Prevention Measures,”“Yunlin AI Dual-Network Anti-Fraud Safe City: Proactive Anti-Impersonation × Intelligent Patrol Operations,” and “Guardian Alliance: Information First, Resources in Motion.” These projects were recognized in the categories of Environmental Safety, Public Security (Fraud Prevention), and Public Safety.
In 2026, Yunlin was also selected once again as one of the International Community Forum (ICF) Global Top 7 Intelligent Communities, demonstrating that its smart governance efforts have gained international recognition. These achievements indicate that Yunlin’s digital transformation extends beyond system implementation and has steadily integrated into education, culture, social welfare, public security, environmental safety, and everyday public services. Smart technologies have become practical tools for improving government efficiency and residents’ quality of life. Magistrate Chang emphasized that by responding to local needs, leveraging unique regional characteristics, embracing technological innovation, and fostering cross-sector collaboration, every city can find its own path toward smart development.
Magistrate Chang emphasized that receiving the 2026 Smart City Outstanding Contribution Award is an honor made possible by the recognition of the judging panel. The award is not only an acknowledgment of her individual efforts but also a testament to the collective dedication of the county government team, industry partners, educational institutions, community organizations, and all Yunlin residents. Looking ahead, the county government will continue to advance smart governance, smart agriculture, healthcare services, talent development, and net-zero transformation. By leveraging artificial intelligence and digital technologies, Yunlin aims to build a smart county that integrates technological innovation, human-centered care, and sustainable development, providing residents with a happier, safer, and more competitive living environment.
Sources:Yunlin County Government
