Department of Information Technology

The 2023 Halal in Travel (HIT) Global Summit 2023, organized by Singapore-based CrescentRating, has selected Taipei City as the winner of the HIT Award in the category of “Most Promising Muslim-friendly City Destination of the Year (non-OIC)” on June 1! During her online address, Information and Tourism Commissioner Chen Shu-hui pointed out that the recognition by HIT Awards indicated the success of Taipei City in catering to the international market of Muslim tourism. she added that the honor will help boost the confidence among Muslim tourists for choosing Taipei City as their destination. It will also help raise the international profile of the city and increase the value of Taipei’s tourism industry. To ensure Muslim tourists can enjoy peace of mind when they visit, dine, and stay in Taipei, the city government works with the central government to help local businesses and stores meet halal standards and the needs of these travelers. Currently, there are over 60 Muslim-friendly hotels and restaurants in Taipei, as well as over 30 tourist attractions that have prayer rooms and restrooms equipped with bidets. According to the Department of Information and Tourism (TPEDOIT), the award organizer CresentRating was established in 2008. It collaborated with Mastercard to publish the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), which helped to establish the company’s reputation as leading authority in Muslim travel and tourism. In 2022, Taiwan won the HIT Awards in the category of “Inclusive Destination of the Year (non-OIC)” and second place in the 2022 GMTI rankings (non-OIC).  The agency pointed out that in 2023 (up through today), the number of tourists from Malaysia have already exceeded 100,000. Roughly 60-percent of the Malaysian population are Muslims, and that is why TPEDOIT plans to visit the country in August to promote Taipei as a promising destination with access to a large number of Muslim-friendly resources, hoping to bring in more Muslim tourists. The Taipei Travel Net also offers a “Muslim Travel Guide”(https://www.travel.taipei/zh-tw/must-visit/halal) section . The online material is available in Chinese, English, and Indonesian. It offers a list of Mosques in the city and a link to the Tourism Bureau’s list of Muslim-friendly shops and environment. There are also some suggestions for 1-day tours for Muslim visitors as well.

On June 2, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it will begin accepting applications via the “Garden City Online Platform” for the second round of organic fertilizer giveaway in 2023 starting June 5. The agency pointed out that a total of 5,500 units of fertilizer will be given away this time, and the deadline for online reservations is 11 AM on June 9 – or when supplies run out, whichever comes first. Residents who need the fertilizer for their homegrown garden or bonsais are welcome to apply. For kitchen waste collected in Taipei City, they can be subdivided into “compost kitchen waste” and “pig feed kitchen waste.” After compost kitchen waste have been processed, it becomes organic fertilizers which are given away via the Garden City Online Platform (https://farmcity.taipei/city/m3_compost/compost_s2_L.php), in compliance with Taipei’s Garden City initiative since 2017.  Each resident can pick up 10 kilograms for each round of the giveaway, and applications are accepted through the online platform. In addition, DEP also offers pick up in person at 12 designated sites (https://www.dep.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=ACEFA960B5A4ACD7&sms=87415A8B9CE81B16&s=8ECA639A903AA5B8). According to DEP, the fertilizer giveaway in 2022 have attracted 19,696 requests via the platform. The agency welcomes citizens to join the rank of Garden City advocates to help transform Taipei into a green, environmental-friendly, and circular city.  With the recent surge of positive COVID cases under the fourth wave, DEP reminds individuals who plan to visit the designated sites to claim their fertilizers between June 19 and 30 to take necessary steps and adopt safety measures to minimize the chances of contracting the virus.

Taipei City Mayor Wan-An Chiang (蔣萬安) welcomed delegates from the world such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and others etc. on March 31. The conference marked the beginning of exchanges and cooperation between cities, with a focus on promoting smart cities and urban governance. Mayor Chiang highlighted Taipei's dedication to continue to strive as an international city, inviting people from around the world to engage in all aspects such as cultural experience, deepen their understanding of Taipei, and foster strong relationships with local residents. The Mayor’s Summit set the stage for forging partnerships with cities worldwide and working together to create a better future. The Taipei Pavilion, a centerpiece of the event, attracted nearly 40,000 visitors over four days. It showcased various innovative technology applications and services, creating an engaging and interactive experience for the public. Leveraging Microsoft and ChatGPT technology from OpenAI, the pavilion featured an eye-catching virtual tour guide, enabling visitors to explore Taipei in a unique way. The deputy spokespersons of the Taipei City government, Wan-Rong Tsai (蔡畹鎣), and Cheng-Hsuan Hsu (徐政璿) conducted a live streaming event with the theme "Smart Taipei ∞ Future Taipei," which gained over 2,000 views.  The Taipei Pavilion highlighted smart government as it’s core theme, showcasing 36 items in eight smart application fields, including Smart Transportation, Smart Security, Smart Education, Smart Building, Smart Economy, Smart Environment, and Smart Health. Visitors had the opportunity to experience technology applications through simulated scenes. Key examples included the enhanced features of YouBike 2.0 in the Smart Transportation field, the VR experience facilities at the Fire Safety Museum of Taipei City Fire Department in the Smart Security field, and the utilization of Metaverse, AR, and VR technology for technology education in the Smart Education field. These policies are aimed to provide immersive experiences and foster awareness and skills in various domains. The 2023 Smart City Mayors' Summit centered around two main themes: "Industry Development for Addressing Public Service Needs" and "Building and Establishing Intelligent Communities." City mayors, representatives of international organizations, and enterprise representatives from cities worldwide gathered in Taipei to discuss global economic recovery post-pandemic and strategies for driving digital transformation in industries through emerging technologies and digital tools. The summit facilitated in-depth discussions, sharing of best practices, and exploration of innovative solutions, aiming to foster city-to-city cooperation and collaboration.  On March 29, 2023, GO SMART (Global Organizations of Smart Cities) hosted its "GO SMART Day General Assembly" and "GO SMART Awards Ceremony." Mayor Chiang expressed Taipei City's commitment to adopting innovative technologies and smart cities related policies to enhance citizen well-being. Through the vibrant ecosystem of GO SMART, international city government representatives and industries can connect, communicate, exchange ideas, and find solutions. Taipei will actively collaborate with global partners to promote cooperation among smart cities and create sustainable and livable urban environments for its citizens. In summary, the Smart City Summit & Expo 2023 is a significant international event, marking the reopening of borders and bringing together government officials and representatives from various smart cities fields worldwide. Taipei City's ongoing exchange with the international community aligns with its vision of sustainable livability. By leveraging innovative technologies, the city aims to enhance government governance efficiency and improve citizens' quality of life. Additionally, this event will contribute to the development of Taiwan's smart city industry, catering to global market demands and showcasing.

Taipei City Government hosted the highly anticipated 2023 Smart City Mayors’ Summit, where 22 cross-border mayors and municipal representatives from 27 cities across 15 countries convened to exchange the latest governance strategies and trends. This gathering served as a platform for Taipei City to emphasize its commitment to citizen-centric governance and learn from international best practices. The summit showcased Taipei City's dedication to integrating public services and smart communities to enhance services and expand its global influence. The city government, under the new administration, affirmed its active participation in international affairs and humanitarian aid initiatives. During the summit, Muhammed Berdibek, the Representative of the Turkish Trade Office in Taipei, expressed his gratitude and for the support extended by Taipei City and the international community following the recent earthquake in Turkey. He specifically acknowledged Taipei City for swiftly dispatching rescue teams to assist in search and rescue operations. Representative Berdibek highlighted Turkey's achievements in smart city development and emphasized the country's focus on leveraging technology and innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of disasters. Shih-Lung Chao (趙式隆), Commissioner of Taipei City Government's Department of Information Technology, delivered a keynote presentation on "New Opportunities for Smart Cities: Outlook for Digital Transformation in the Public Sector." Commissioner Chao also moderated panel discussions during the Smart City Mayors’ Roundtable, facilitating idea exchanges among domestic and international city leaders and representatives. The discussions at the summit centered around two key themes: "Industry Development for Addressing Public Service Needs" and "Building and Establishing Intelligent Communities." Participants explored the role of public-private partnerships in integrating public services and smart communities to accelerate problem-solving efforts. The importance of developing intelligent communities for sustainable cities was widely acknowledged, with an emphasis on innovative practices and collaboration among regions, cities, and countries to identify common challenges and solutions. Notable opinions on promoting smart cities were shared by representatives from various countries such as: Vytautas Grubliauskas, the Mayor of Klaipeda, Lithuania, stressed the need for a resilient smart city that can effectively respond to disasters, giving importance to the contribution of medical personnel and the energy required for these efforts. Edward Pollard, City Councilor of Houston, U.S.A., highlighted the importance of resource integration, incentive measures, and a willingness to embrace non-traditional approaches to providing general services to promote public-private partnerships. Gábor Kerpel-Fronius, Deputy Mayor of Budapest, Hungary, emphasized the adoption of appropriate solutions tailored to address specific issues, going beyond relying solely on data and technical solutions. Mindaugas Sinkevičius, Mayor of Jonava District Municipality, Lithuania, underscored the significance of digital inclusion as the core foundation for promoting smart cities, enabling citizen-participatory budget systems and ensuring equitable benefits. Ruben Latcau, Deputy Mayor of Timisoara, Romania, discussed the importance of an efficient smart city transportation management system, highlighting the role of advanced technologies in enhancing public transportation infrastructure and ensuring smoother and safer mobility. The Mayors’ Summit also featured two CTalk forums. The first forum focused on "Smart Finance and Taxation," where Shih-Ming You (游適銘), Commissioner of Taipei City Government's Department of Finance shared insights on the city's self-government ordinance for net-zero emissions management. The second forum revolved around “Humanity-Oriented Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Development,” with Jong-Ming Chen(陳榮明) Deputy Commissioner from Taipei City Government's Department of Transportation presenting technological solutions for optimizing urban transportation systems. Taipei City has established itself as a responsible and engaged international partner, actively fostering dialogue and collaboration with friends and partners worldwide. Through its endeavors in areas such as smart city initiatives, participation in international organizations, strong sister city relationships, and close ties with the expat community, Taipei City has demonstrated its commitment to global cooperation. The city's support for Ukrainian refugees and its sharing of best practices for COVID-19 response with sister and partner cities further exemplify its dedication to addressing pressing global challenges. Moreover, Taipei City has displayed its unwavering commitment to humanitarian aid by providing immediate and substantial support for earthquake relief in Turkey. With a longstanding commitment to helping those in need, Taipei City will continue to be a beacon of goodwill and solidarity on the international stage.

The annual checkup for the Maokong Gondola will begin on Thursday, June 8. Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (TRTC) will suspend the operations of the gondola between June 8 and 21 for the 14-day-long maintenance work and inspection. The facility will reopen on Thursday, June 22. The targets of the inspection this year will include: maintenance of hydraulic cylinders, support motors, wheel gasket, emergency break control unit, electric switch cylinder and rod; replacement of outdated equipment; repainting of rusted parts support columns T-15 through T-17, and tests covering power, load capacity, and operation systems.  Since operation of the Maokong Gondola began in 2007, TRTC conducts annual inspections of the facility in accordance with the recommendation of the manufacturer to provide riders with a safe and secure environment. Due to the massive number of staff and equipment mobilized and the complex inspection and test procedures, the process takes multiple days. However, it is necessary to ensure that all required steps are carried out appropriately.  Typically, the annual checkup of the gondola takes place between May and June. To avoid possible impact of storm season in the mountains, the company selected the two-week period between June 8 and 21 for this year’s inspection.  The average annual system availability of the Maokong Gondola for 2022 reached 99.98%, compared to 99.995% in 2021. It is one of the most stable gondola among similar systems worldwide manufactured by POMA. For more information, please call TRTC’s 24-hour customer hotline or visit the company’s Chinese website (https://www.metro.taipei/).

Mayor Chiang Wan-an attended the opening ceremony for the Ximending Visitor Center on May 31. Donning the uniform of agency staff, he helped Bravo the Bear store luggage at the coin locker and visited the mobile police station in the same building, touting the convenience and safety of the location. During his speech, the mayor pointed out Ximending is a commercial district with a strong set of unique characteristics. It is also a placed filled with nostalgia for many of the city’s old-time residents. As a student, he would often come searching for models at the shops inside Wan Nain Building and watch movies at local theaters. The neighborhood is also the home to many well-known shops and eateries, including Ay-chung Flour-rice Noodle, Star Fruits Ice, and Lao Tian Lu.  The mayor said that it is his honor to inaugurate the Ximending Visitor Center and Ximending Mobile Police Station today. He would also like to take the opportunity to thank the people who provided support – legislators, city councilors, and local borough chiefs, making it possible for the facility to open to the public on schedule to provide better services to both domestic and international tourists in the post pandemic era.   In response to commonplace challenges foreign visitors encounter, the new visitor center offers services in addition to answering inquiries. The facility comes with a comfortable reading space, smart phone charging station, maintenance kit for cyclists, gender- and family-friendly restrooms. For those with large luggage, they can also take advantage of the coin lockers at the center. For tourists arriving before check-in time or have already checked-out of their hotel, they can use the storage to lessen their burdens and explore Ximending without suitcases and backpacks. Of course, the secure environment is reinforced by the presence of the police station next door.

With the issuing of sea advisory for Typhoon Mawar on May 29, the Fire Department (TCFD) calls upon residents to make all necessary preparations to reduce the hazard from anticipated strong winds and heavy rain. The public should avoid mountainous and seaside areas, as well as stay at home if possible during this period.TCFD points out that residents should visit Taipei’s Disaster Prevention Website (https://www.eoc.gov.taipei/) to check out the latest on weather, flooding possibilities, and info on emergency shelters and evacuation orders.For the latest updates, residents are also encouraged to install the Taipei City Mobile Disaster Prevention APP on their smart phones to access news on the typhoon at his or her fingertip. Another option is to add Taipei City Government as a friend on LINE app, which will allow the user to remain in the know regarding class/work cancellation, water level info, floodgate closure, parking on red/yellow lines, and more.Things to look out for during this period include:For emergency assistance during typhoon, please dial 1999, 119, or 110Avoid leaving home to minimize the chance of being hit by fallen objects. In the case of power outage, avoid using candles. If there are no other options, take all necessary measures to prevent starting a fire by accidentIf you notice sewer blockages or fallen road trees requiring removal, please call the 1999 Citizens’ HotlineThose living in low areas, near slopes, or next to riverbanks should remain alert of hazards such as landslides and should consider evacuating beforehandMake sure that you have radio, flashlight, first aid kit, drinking water, food, and other necessities ready at homeInspect electric systems, stoves, and gas lines ahead of time. Take necessary precautions when using a stove to minimize the chances of fireInspect windows and doors, move flower pots and bonsais indoors, and strengthen support beams for plants if necessary. Other objects should be secured to avoid being blown away by the winds and causing damagesConstruction site fencing, support frames, and ad boards should be secured, removed, or nailed in place to avoid being blown away by strong windsThose receiving evacuation orders from city hall should follow the instructions of authorities in charge of evacuationBuildings with basement should have pumps installed and set up floodgate and/or sandbags at the entrance. Sandbags are available at local district officesDo not touch fallen cable lines to avoid being electrocuted. Call 119, 110, or 1999 to notify power companies for removal/repairPrepare your personal emergency evacuation backpack. Things to include: mineral water bottle, instant noodles or cookies; copies of ID document, cash, medications, thick work gloves, flashlight, radio, batteries, clothing, small blanket, disposable raincoat, heat packs, tissue paper, towels, pen and paper, backup keys, and swiss knife. The backpack should be placed at a location (at home or at the office) that is quickly accessible.

With rising temperature marking the arrival of summer, the sulfur cosmos fields along the Zhangshu (Camphor Tree) Trail in Wenshan District is now in full bloom!The sulfur cosmos – officially known as Cosmos Sulphureus – contains the word ‘sulphureus’ in its name, which creates a vivid image of the flower’s bright orange appearance. Despite the similarity in color, sulfur cosmos is rather different from its larger distant cousin – the garden cosmos. One can notice the difference from the leaves, which have more of a “toothy” edge and rougher-looking surfaces.The Zhangshu Trail has always been popular among visitors both young and old, as a place for short and comfortable hikes. The 1.1-kilometer-long walkway is a smooth and effortless hike for most people, connecting pastoral landmarks such as the ox cart statue and the “Turning Granary” public art installation.To revitalize the surrounding landscape, the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) experimented with different kinds of flowers, transforming the abandoned fields along the trail into flower zones which bloom three times a year. The most recent period of bloom is expected to last from June 1 through 15. The agency welcomes the public to bring their cameras and capture the beauty of the sea of yellow flowers.GEO added that the Zhangshu Trail also comprises the seventh section of the Taipei Grand Trail. Hikers can enjoy a day’s tour of Maokong by starting out at Zhinan Temple Trail and travel along the Zhangshu Trail to enjoy the view of blooming flowers. After eating lunch at a local store or restaurant, they can take the gondola to Taipei Zoo for a fun-filled afternoon.For more information on the hiking trails in the area, please visit the Facebook fan page of Taipei Grand Trail (https://www.facebook.com/Taipei.Trail/) or GEO’s Chinese website (http://www.geo.gov.taipei/).