Launching of ‘K-City Network Global Cooperation Program’
- Korea unveils a new platform and G2G cooperation program for overseas smart city development and export of K-smart city model.
Korea launched a brand new collaboration platform and international cooperation program to share its smart city experience with countries and cities around the world.
On January 31, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) inaugurated a new platform for global smart city cooperation named ‘K-City Network’ and announced its plan to start the international application to select overseas smart city projects the platform will implement under Smart City Global Cooperation Program.
K-City Network will act as the steering body that will execute Global Smart City Cooperation Program. Under the program, Korea will provide support for master plan or feasibility study development as well as field training and technological consulting. Through the program, Korea will share its development experience and knowledge.
The new program is different from similar programs in the past in two ways. First, it seeks the ‘full-package’ approach, giving support for both the hardware (project) and software (training and consulting) development. Second, the program takes a more systematic approach in pursuit of G2G collaboration on projects, working with the host countries from planning phase to investment.
[Smart City Global Cooperation Program: Target Projects]
Projects under the global cooperation program are divided to 1) Urban development projects or 2) Solution development projects.
Urban development projects involve designing/development of new smart city projects, construction of basic urban infrastructure and commercial facilities (e.g. industrial complex) planned under the projects, and operation and management of the new cities.
For solution development projects, the purpose is to introduce and run smart solutions that will improve urban services in the areas of administration, transportation, public health, welfare, environment, energy, water resources management, security, education and culture.
Existing projects underway now can also benefit from the program. However, in order to secure the strong initiative necessary for project implementation and ensure long-term project collaboration, entities that can apply for the program will be limited to governments, both central and local, and public sector entities and companies with the private-sector only participation not allowed.
[Smart City Global Cooperation Program: Details]
Project selected under the program will be eligible for receiving assistance on project development as well as training opportunities in Korea.
On project development, Korea will provide financial and technical support to develop a concept plan, master plan, pre-feasibility study or feasibility study, depending on the demand of each country and status of the project receiving the support.
For the public officials in charge of or related to the projects, training sessions to learn from Korea’s smart city policies and expertise will be arranged. Details of the sessions, including eligible invitees, numbers and schedule, will be determined in consultation with recipient countries.
Korea plans to allocate up to one billion KRW or 0.85 million USD per project.
In case a project is assessed to hold the potential to be implemented under the PPP (Public-private Partnership) scheme, Korea will consider tapping into various funding sources include the global PIS (Plant, Infrastructure, Smart City) fund, a new government fund worth 1.5 trillion KRW being created in partnership with the state-owned and private-sector companies. Moreover, joint investment with international organizations (e.g. World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, etc) and MDBs will be actively explored.
[Smart City Global Cooperation Program: Application Opened]
MOLIT started to accept applications for the program on January 31st, and will continue to receive them till March 20th, 2020. Partner country governments or governmental institutions can submit the application form along with target project summaries via post or by email.
Information on the program application is available at the official web sites of MOLIT (www.molit.go.kr), Smart City Korea (www.smartcity.go.kr) and Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corporation (KIND, www.kindkorea.or.kr ).
To review and select target projects, MOLIT will set up a public-private review committee in March. In April, project development companies will be appointed to start drafting project plans (concept plan, master plan, pre-feasibility study, feasibility study) in March for completion by this year.
Ms. Ahn Sae Hee, Director of Overseas Urban Cooperation Team of MOLIT said “K-City Network and its Smart City Global Cooperation Program will emerge as the key policy tools with which Korea expands its efforts to promote and export Korea’s smart city technologies.”
She also added that “MOLIT wishes to work with cities in ASEAN and beyond, to build smart cities around the world. I believe the new program will help Korea position itself as the leader in global smart city development and the government will continue to give active support to make that reality.”
