KICT 한국건설기술연구원

The KICT was the only institution to be awarded the Human-CentriCity Award at the first Seoul Smart City Prize ceremony recently held at Dongdaemun Digital Plaza in Seoul on September 25.

Jointly organized by the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) and Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Seoul Smart City Prize embodies the Seoul’s administrative philosophy of “Here for the Weak and Less Fortunate” and spreads the vision of creating a world of future smart cities where urban polarization is reduced, and inclusive growth is embraced. The Seoul Smart City Prize was created in September of last year. The WeGO was formed under the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s leadership in 2010. With a membership comprised of 213 cities and companies, the WeGO is the world’s largest consultative body that globally promotes smart city cooperation and exchanges between cities and businesses.

The award for “Human-CentriCity” is given to the organization that best practices Seoul’s core value of “Here for the Weak and Less Fortunate.” The KICT was the only institution to be awarded the Human-CentriCity Award at the first Seoul Smart City Prize ceremony.

The judges for the Seoul Smart City Prize awarded the prize to the KICT for its participation in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s official development assistance to Vietnam, provided through the installation and operation of the Korea-Vietnam Smart City Construction Technology Cooperation Center. The KICT plays a pivotal role in the development of laws for the certification of Vietnam’s smart cities, formation of pilot smart city master plans, smart city education through the supply of learning resources and programs, technical exchanges between businesses, and the operation of exhibitions. The Korea-Vietnam Smart City Construction Technology Cooperation Center promotes industrial development and related activities in both Korea and Vietnam. The KICT has established “living labs” in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi to demonstrate smart technologies in mobility and other aspects of life through multimedia and interactive experiences, as well as smart city exhibitions in residential areas. This has built the foundation for an inclusive smart city where residents have equal access to digital technologies.