A poster to publicize the World Smart City Expo 2019 (WSCE 2019), which took place at KINTEX in Goyang, north of Seoul, from Sept. 4 to Sept. 6.

The World Smart City Expo 2019 (WSCE 2019) brought together Korean and international urban experts, companies, governments and NGO representatives to share policies and technologies on smart cities and discuss urban visions and values.

WSCE 2019, which took place at KINTEX in Goyang, north of Seoul, from Sept. 4 to Sept. 6, was hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and organized by Korea Land & Housing Corp. (LH) and the Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water).

WSCE 2019, held under the theme “Smart City, Connecting Tomorrow,” consisted of various seminars, an exhibition, networking sessions among governments and companies as well as other events.

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon gives a commemorative speech at a ceremony to open WSCE 2019 at KINTEX in Goyang, north of Seoul, on Sept. 4.

In his commemorative speech during an opening ceremony, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon said, “There is no country which has succeeded in all processes ranging from smart city development to design, construction and operation, but Korea aims to become the first country to do so.”

The Korean government is implementing pilot projects to make Busan, the nation’s second largest city, and Sejong City, an administrative city, smart cities, he added.

“Korea’s urbanization rate stands at 92 percent, the highest one among OECD countries, and the country is grappling to address urbanization problems.”

However, he said, Korea boasts of world-class IT levels and the country has accumulated diverse urban construction experiences, and the Korean government is trying to realize inclusive smart cities which are people-centric by making the most of technologies and experiences, Prime Minister Lee said.

About 400 people from 40 countries participated in WSCE 2019. Among the participants were MOLIT 1st vice minister, MSIT 1st vice minister, a Malaysian vice minister, chairman of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Land Committee, a Uzbekistani vice minister, a Brunei vice minister, and Liverpool vice mayor as well as smart city officials from Central and South America, the Middle East and Europe.

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon listens to a briefing from Daniel Kardis, a councilor with British Embassy to Korea as he toured the British booth at WSCE 2019 on Sept. 4. (Photos: LH)

Richard Florida, an American urban studies theorist focusing on social and economic theory, is to deliver a keynote speech. He is expected to present urban values as sources of growth and creativity and future direction.

Nineteen conferences took place on four themes - policy direction of smart cities; technology & solutions; shared economy and sustainability; and global cooperation.

The conferences and forums, including the Smart City Tech Conference and the Asian Smart Cities Network Cooperation Forum, were held to share policies and discuss smart city and technology trends.

WSCE 2019 also coincided with high-level bilateral talks among states, cities and multilateral conferences with international institutions, including the World Bank, enhancing the standing of the expo as an international event.