VIRTUAL London.

Abstract

Among major global participants in smart city building, South Korea is noted as a forerunner. Since the early 2000s, the central government of Korea has been developing smart cities as part of its government agenda. Notable examples include Seoul, Incheon Songdo, Pangyo Techno Valley, Sang-Am Digital Media City, and Busan Eco-Delta City. Many scholars and industry experts attribute Korea’s productive and expansive smart city developments to the government’s heavy involvement in the planning and development of smart cities. Therefore, Korea presents an interesting case study to understand how the government’s motivations and visions shape technologically mediated urban environments and citizens’ quality of life. Against this backdrop, this study aims to elucidate the multifaceted objectives of the Korean government in smart city development by drawing on interview data with high-ranking government officials and industry experts and a year-long ethnographic fieldwork in Korea’s smart cities. Through a thematic analysis of these qualitative data sets, this study illustrates the government’s diverse motivations in building smart cities, including their political ambitions, economic development imperatives, and a commitment to enhancing public well-being. These motivations have led to various manifestations of smart cities: 1) smart cities with conspicuous digital installations, 2) smart cities powered by cutting-edge technologies, and 3) smart cities prioritizing citizen well-being. The findings illustrate the challenges and opportunities that result from the government’s heavy involvement in smart city developments and can inform how governments, corporations, and other stakeholders can collaborate to achieve economically viable and citizen-friendly smart cities.