Visit to UCL’s The Bartlett Faculty:
Discussing Plans for a Pohang-Style Climate and Energy Innovation Hub
Mayor Lee: “Collaboration with UCL Will Accelerate Urban Problem-Solving and New Industrial Innovation”
Pohang City is seeking to transform itself from a steel-centered industrial city into a sustainable future city through new industrial innovation by cooperating with world-renowned universities.
On the 13th (local time), Pohang City and the Pohang City Council visited University College London (UCL), a prestigious global university in London, UK, to discuss strategies for urban innovation, education, and research collaboration.
Pohang City visited University College London (UCL) in London, UK, on the 13th and held meetings with Jackie Glass, Dean of The Bartlett Faculty, Professor Mark Maslin, Professor Preeti Perik, and Professor Keiko Tsunegi. (Jackie Glass, Dean of The Bartlett Faculty, and Mayor Lee Gangdeok shaking hands after the conversation) Provided by Pohang City
On this day, the Pohang delegation visited The Bartlett Faculty at UCL, which leads the fields of urbanism, architecture, and sustainability. They received a briefing on UCL’s ongoing strategies for climate change response and future cities, and discussed ways to integrate these approaches into Pohang’s urban regeneration and industrial transformation policies.
In particular, during meetings with Jackie Glass, Dean of The Bartlett Faculty, Professor Mark Maslin, Professor Preeti Parrick, and Professor Keiko Tsunegi, they exchanged views on the sustainable development of Pohang City.
The discussions broadly covered practical cooperation agendas, including: ▲a roadmap for urban circularity and renewable energy transition; ▲the establishment of a university-city-industry alliance-based climate and energy innovation hub; and ▲the development of a ‘climate literacy’ education curriculum in collaboration with international schools and local universities.
On this occasion, Mayor Lee Gangdeok proposed that Pohang’s prominent local universities, POSTECH and Handong Global University, pursue joint research with UCL. He also suggested that, after the opening of the Pohang International Exhibition & Convention Center (POEX) scheduled for completion in 2027, the two sides co-host international seminars and academic events to ensure ongoing sustainable cooperation.
Additionally, he requested UCL’s support for international cooperation and advisory services to attract COP33 to Pohang. He explained the recent increase in electricity demand due to the attraction of AI data centers and asked for introductions to clean energy companies and research institutions.
Mayor Lee Gangdeok stated, “Pohang is diversifying its industrial landscape with secondary batteries, hydrogen, bio, and AI, expanding its future growth engines. Collaboration with UCL, a world-class research university, will become a new driving force to accelerate the resolution of urban challenges and innovation in new industries in Pohang.”
Im Juhee, Chair of the Economic and Industrial Committee of the Pohang City Council, emphasized, “We will continue to expand a global cooperation platform that links education, research, and industry, creating job and educational opportunities that citizens can truly experience.”
Building on this visit, the city plans to pursue various collaborative projects, including: ▲regular joint workshops and academic symposiums; ▲attracting international academic events to Pohang; ▲establishing short-term training and internship tracks at UCL for Pohang’s youth; and ▲operating a Pohang-UCL joint urban research studio (focused on waterfront city regeneration and eco-friendly transportation transition).
In particular, the city reviewed potential collaboration with UCL Medical School, which integrates research and education, to support Pohang’s ongoing efforts to establish a research-oriented medical school. Pohang also aims to expand its network with research institutions in London, closely linking the city’s research and industrial ecosystem with the global education network.
Pohang City expects that this visit will broaden the scope of Pohang-style international cooperation and serve as a practical opportunity to secure the talent, technology, and projects needed for future industries all at once.
Mayor Lee Gangdeok is touring the UCL engineering meeting room and laboratory while receiving a briefing. Provided by Pohang City
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
