Seoul : Tale of A Smart City

"The Seoul: Tale of A Smart City" is the culmination of two years of dedicated research by Kristi Shalla and myself. Published in late March 2024, it is now available for purchase as both an e-book and a paperback on various online platforms including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more. In my linkedin newsletter session, I intend to share the motivations that drove us during the writing process, along with a brief introduction to the book.

Why did Kristi Shalla and I publish the book 'Seoul: Tale of A Smart City'?

Although there is abundant literature detailing Seoul's history, we noticed a gap concerning its transition from an economy-centric metropolis to a smart city in the last two decades. We believe that exploring Seoul's transformation during this period could provide valuable insights for major cities in developing countries facing various urban challenges stemming from economy-centric development. Despite increasing public interest in smart cities, we observed a dearth of accessible books on the topic, underscoring the necessity for our publication.

What factors have contributed to making Seoul and other Korean cities smart?

1. Financial Capability : In 1995, South Korea's per capita income exceeded $10,000, and it grew to $20,000 in the 2000s. With the expansion of the national wealth through economic growth, the country gained sufficient financial flexibility to provide high-value (IT-enabled) public services.
2. Arrival of Local Autonomy : A pivotal moment for Korean cities occurred in 1995 with the introduction of direct elections for local government leaders. This shift empowered local governors and officials to devise and advocate for solutions to local problems.
3. ICT Industry Ecosystem : In the 1980s, the Korean government's support for the ICT industry led to the emergence of global IT giants like Samsung and LG. Partnering with these industry leaders, small and medium-sized IT companies and startups fueled the development of a business ecosystem capable of technologically-driven urban innovation, fostering collaboration with local governments.

What makes Seoul so special?

1. Metropolis-Scale Smart City Transformation : Seoul, despite its megacity status, has effectively embraced smart city initiatives. This success is attributed to strong leadership and consistent policies. Mayors of Seoul, regardless of political leanings, have pursued a unified vision for the city's smart transformation, resulting in its achievement.
2. Pioneering Smart Public Transport System : In Seoul and the Greater Seoul area, citizens can effortlessly utilize buses and subways with a single transportation card, simply tapping as they travel, while fares are automatically calculated based on their total usage, including transfers. Moreover, all public transportation-related information is seamlessly integrated, managed, and shared through Seoul TOPIS (Transport Operation and Information Service), a global rarity.
3. Powerful Exemplar of Sustainable Development : Sustainable development can initially be a challenging concept for developing nations to translate into action. However, the Cheonggye Stream Restoration Project, which unveiled a river hidden beneath the city, serves as a compelling example of how a city can undergo transformation towards sustainability. This project sends a powerful message to the global community about the feasibility of creating sustainable urban environments
4. Polished Urban Aesthetic : The first impression a city creates is crucial. Even with a strong focus on smart service features, without visually striking and memorable elements, its credibility may diminish. Smart services that seamlessly blend into existing public services indeed run the risk of being misinterpreted as failures. Seoul has successfully cultivated its visual identity for both residents and tourists through initiatives such as public design guidelines and diverse attractions like Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
5. A Living Example of Data-Driven City : In Seoul, there exists a complex, data-driven smart city platform called the Digital Civic Mayor's Office. The platform connects hundreds of various administrative systems operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The Digital Civic Mayor's Office is a state-of-the-art system that utilizes an interactive large screen to provide an overview of all aspects of Seoul, from fire and disaster situations to traffic conditions, using data and policies. It enables immediate communication with field workers via voice and video calls, allowing for direct task assignments.

If you're interested in learning more about how Seoul has developed into a smart city, you can find detailed insights in "Seoul: Tale of A Smart City."

Commentary

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the supporters who have helped spread the words about our book through LinkedIn as follows.

Albert Kim, Don Southerton, Juan Camilo Gómez González, Karim Dasuki, Lena Geraghty, MAHESH MAHAKUMARGE, Soumaya EZAZAA and more

Furthermore, the journey of publishing and promoting the book "Seoul: Tale of A Smart City" allowed me to recognize the global community's fascination with smart cities worldwide, as well as an affection toward Korean culture. This has motivated me to explore strategies to effectively meet the expectations and interests of those captivated by both Korean culture and smart city innovations globally. I humbly request your ongoing support as I further immerse myself in the realm of smart city expertise in the future.