Seocho-gu Obtains 'Smart City International Standard Certification'

"Partnership and Intercity Collaboration: Demonstrating Excellence with Level 4 Ratings in Smart City Development and Infrastructure Management; Utilizing Certification as a Foundation for Establishing and Expanding Smart Cities, with Continuous Evaluation and Recertification to Strengthen Seocho-gu's Unique Smart City Competitiveness"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) has obtained the international standard certification for smart cities (ISO37106), proving itself as a global standard smart city.

The international standard certification for smart cities is awarded by BSI (British Standards Institution) to cities that demonstrate world-class levels in smart city project achievements and maturity.

BSI conducts evaluations based on four principles (vision, citizen-centric, digital, openness and collaboration), 14 business management areas, and 9 key success factors. If a city achieves level 3 or higher in all 22 maturity assessment items, it is granted the British industrial standard certification mark (Smart City Kitemark).

In this evaluation, the district received a high score of level 4 (leading) in three categories: partnership, inter-city collaboration, and smart city development and infrastructure management, proving its excellence.

The district explained that the reasons for the high evaluation from BSI include the strong leadership and drive of the mayor in promoting smart city initiatives, the use of advanced CC (closed-circuit) TV for crime prevention and traffic services, the provision of various services related to fine dust for a Green Seocho, the establishment of a three-year smart city plan for systematic and effective project management, and active participation in government-led smart city promotion projects resulting in many achievements.

The district plans to utilize the certified international smart city standards as a foundation for establishing and spreading smart cities, and to enhance smart city competitiveness through continuous evaluation and recertification. To serve as a control tower for smart city projects, the district established the ‘Smart City Division’ in 2021 to further strengthen administrative capabilities.

Previously, the district has promoted cooperation with specialized institutions in various fields related to smart city projects.

In October, a friendship exchange agreement was signed with the Swiss canton of Schwyz to promote smart city-related projects and economic revitalization. Additionally, a tripartite business agreement was signed with Seoul City and KAIST to successfully implement Seoul as a leading city of the 4th Industrial Revolution. To establish traffic order for shared electric kickboards, a business agreement was also made with Seocho and Bangbae Police Stations and electric kickboard operators.

Meanwhile, the district manages the entire smart city infrastructure through the ‘Seocho Smart Hub Center’ and operates an integrated smart city platform providing various services such as intelligent CCTV, wanted vehicle detection systems, and air quality analysis using environmental sensors.

Seocho Mayor Eunhee Jo stated, “To keep pace with the 4th Industrial Revolution era, we will transform administration to be future resident-service oriented so that Seocho becomes safer through digital means and more livable through green initiatives,” adding, “We will improve residents’ lives to be better and more future-oriented through various smart city projects.”