Sustainable, Smart and Solidary Seoul: Transforming an Asian Megacity

Seoul's innovative state policy has transformed it from a polluted and congested city to a global leader in green urban planning,smart city innovations,and social economy initiatives. The city has become a model of sustainability,with the highest penetration of high-speed internet,a model mass transit system,and advanced smart-city technologies. It has also become a leader in social economy innovations,such as cooperative villages,mutual benefit societies,and social investment funds.

Format: Hardback
Length: 175 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book showcases how innovative state policy in Korea transformed Seoul from one of the world's most impoverished, polluted, and congested cities into a global leader in green urban planning, smart city innovations, and social economy initiatives that have dramatically improved the local quality of life. Today, Seoul's urban planning innovations are increasingly touted as replicable best practices for export to cities across the globe.

This book describes how innovative state policy has made Seoul a world leader in sustainable, smart, and solidary urban initiatives. Beginning in the 1960s, Seoul led the fastest urbanization and modernization project in world history, becoming a colossal 26-million-person metropolitan region and one of the largest footprints of humanity on earth, transforming the nation from one of the world's poorest to having the 10th largest GDP in 2020.

Today, Seoul has become one of the most productive and innovative urban agglomerations on Earth. Seouls residents enjoy the world's highest penetration of high-speed internet, a model mass transit system, and advanced smart-city technologies. The vast city has become increasingly green and sustainable, while also recycling about 90% of all waste. Seoul has become a leader in social economy innovations like cooperative villages, mutual benefit societies, and social investment funds that advance equitable development goals amid a booming capitalist economy.

To broaden our imagination of what good urbanism can achieve, this book reviews Seoul's recent innovations in smart, sustainable, and solidary urbanism, including:

Green urban planning: Seoul has developed a comprehensive green urban planning strategy that aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and create more green spaces for residents. This includes initiatives such as planting more trees, creating green roofs, and promoting sustainable transportation options.

Sustainable development through recycling and reuse: Seoul has implemented a successful recycling and reuse program that has significantly reduced waste and pollution. The city has developed a comprehensive waste management system that includes recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy conversion.

Well-managed mass transit: Seoul has one of the most efficient and comprehensive mass transit systems in the world. The city has invested heavily in its subway and bus networks, as well as in bike-sharing and electric scooter-sharing programs. This has helped to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

Smart city design: Seoul has been at the forefront of smart city development, using technology to improve the efficiency and sustainability of its urban infrastructure. The city has implemented a number of smart city initiatives, such as smart parking systems, smart traffic management, and smart energy grids.

Solidarity economy initiatives: Seoul has pioneered solidarity economy initiatives that aim to promote social and economic equality. The city has developed a number of cooperative villages, mutual benefit societies, and social investment funds that provide support and resources to vulnerable communities.

In conclusion, this book showcases how innovative state policy in Korea has transformed Seoul from a struggling city into a global leader in sustainable, smart, and solidary urbanism. Seoul's success is a testament to the power of government intervention and the importance of investing in urban infrastructure and social programs. The city's urban planning innovations are increasingly being replicated in other cities around the world, and it is clear that Seoul's model of urban development can help to create more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous cities in the future.

Weight: 637g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031135941
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022