A Smart City 2020 : Sustainability vs. Innovation

In the 2020s, cities in South Korea have primarily focused on securing geographical space for smart cities as a key objective. Various domestic and international specialized companies, universities, and research institutions have been integrating Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to propose or derive research results for the development of a Korean-style smart city.

Macroscopically, smart cities are being pursued as a means for sustainable growth and development by local governments to address complex and diverse urban issues. As a result, urban residents easily encounter the term "smart city."

The government has selected Busan's 'Ecotel Tower Smart City' and Sejong City as national pilot cities (2018) and is in the process of implementation. Additionally, aiming to establish a smart demonstration city by 2022 (within four years), the current project is underway in Siheung City, Gyeonggi Province. As a result, numerous metropolitan and local authorities are introducing specialized smart city services tailored to each region, with an increasing number of local governments planning similar initiatives.

Sustainability of Smart Cities

There is a need for research on the sustainability of smart cities. Examining the opinions of local officials responsible for practical aspects during the implementation process reveals numerous unforeseen challenges. Four major problem factors have been identified. Firstly, each city has unique characteristics, and there are unknown variables specific to regions other than the capital region, resulting in contradictions in analyzing differences in geographical conditions and applying technology. Secondly, there is a significant lack of basic data accuracy on future population changes, age distribution, living conditions, and the predicted period of residence (livable factors), crucial for the development plans for the past, present, and future of the city. Thirdly, there is a lack of understanding about land use plans and available land for urban planning in terms of urban spatial utilization, especially among city managers who lack awareness due to their short elected terms (four years). Lastly, there is a notable absence of specialized personnel for quality management of smart city proposal services.

In conclusion, considering these opinions collectively, research on technological sustainability that local governments cannot achieve on their own should be prioritized.

Innovation in Smart Cities

The goal of cities is to establish a foundation through smart cities to enhance the quality of life sustainably for current and future residents. The objective is to allow the city to develop and maintain itself innovatively through smart city technologies. Understanding the desires and needs of city residents for use of the city is crucial for step-by-step development, and securing innovative solutions that can be shared by the current and future generations is essential. It is necessary to create an innovative city where any company's technology, similar to the government's Korean Industrial Standards (KS) certification system, can be utilized regardless of who, where, or how it is used.

The city should maximize regional culture in a flexible manner in terms of geographical, spatial, and temporal aspects, allowing for synergy throughout the entire city. While there may be some differences depending on the autonomy of local governments, if the results are somewhat uncertain given the substantial budget allocation, the efficiency of sustainable smart city construction is predicted to decrease.

Source: Siheung Citizen News (http://www.ssnews.co.kr)