New Westminster named as one of the world’s Smart21 Communities of 2017

New Westminster – The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) announced on October 19, 2016, that the City of New Westminster has been recognized as one of the world’s Smart21 Communities of 2017. The Intelligent Community Forum studies and promotes the best practices of the world's Intelligent Communities as they adapt to the new demands and seize opportunities presented by information and communications technology.

As part of this select group of communities, which emerged from a list of nearly 400, New Westminster will now move on and remain in contention for the prestigious designation of an Intelligent Community Top7, to be named in Taipei, Taiwan in February 2017.  One of the seven will then be named Intelligent Community of the Year at the Intelligent Community Summit and Awards Dinner in New York on June 8, 2017.  

“We are extremely proud to have been recognized by the ICF as a Smart21 Community,” said Mayor Jonathan X Coté.  “This achievement demonstrates that New Westminster has become a leader when it comes to implementing innovative technologies and solutions that improve the livability and economic development of our community.”

This year’s list, chosen by a group of analysts, includes seven communities from Canada, five from Taiwan and four from Australia, three nations that have strong national commitments to both “smart city” development and the Intelligent Community movement. Evaluation of Intelligent Community Forum Awards Program nominations is based on six Intelligent Community Indicators, which provide the conceptual framework for understanding all of the factors that determine a community's competitiveness in the areas of broadband, knowledge workforce, innovation, digital equality, sustainability, and advocacy.

“The City of New Westminster has been working on the Intelligent City initiative for several years as a key economic driver for our city; it’s very rewarding to see that our efforts are paying off,” said Councillor Bill Harper, Co-Chair of the Intelligent City Advisory Committee. “Being named as a Smart21 Community reinforces our desire to compete successfully in today’s interconnected world and inspires us to continue to pursue innovative ideas for our city.”

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Contact:

Ashleigh Young
Communications Coordinator
City of New Westminster
604-527-4559 or