Solar-Powered Smart Bench Installed in Belmopan Under Youth Climate Project

A new piece of futuristic urban furniture, the “Smart Bench,” has been installed in Belmopan as part of a youth-driven climate initiative. Designed by Raquel of the ART School, the bench is far more than a simple place to sit. Powered entirely by solar panels, it provides free public Wi-Fi, USB charging ports for devices, and LED lighting, serving as a modern hub for community connectivity. Its smart technology also includes capabilities for environmental monitoring, such as checking air quality, directly supporting the city’s sustainability goals. Here is our Belmopan correspondent LJay wade.

This innovative project is a direct result of the Belmopan Youth Climate Action Fund, an ambitious program launched by the Belmopan City Council in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies. The bench exemplifies the fund’s mission to empower young residents to create tangible solutions for a greener, more technologically integrated city. By turning a student’s vision into a reality, Belmopan is demonstrating how local climate action can enhance everyday public life with clean energy and smart design.