The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 12th that it has finalized the sites for the 2026 smart city development project, which aims to improve urban environments and foster related industries by using artificial intelligence (AI) and smart technology.
In this project, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, was selected as a hub city, and Busan and Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, were designated as specialized districts focusing on specific fields. In addition, South Gyeongsang Province and Taean County, South Chungcheong Province, were named as lead agencies for the data hub pilot project, which aggregates regional data in one place to find exemplary solutions.
The smart city development project is a three-year mid- to long-term initiative that integrates advanced technologies, including AI, to solve chronic urban problems and nurture a new industrial ecosystem. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held an open call for local governments nationwide starting in March and selected the final sites through document screening, on-site inspections, and presentation evaluations.
Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, was selected for the hub project and will receive up to 16 billion won in state funding over three years. The city plans to introduce vehicle sharing and parking robots to assist people's movements and to use delivery and patrol robots to enhance citizens' safety and daily convenience. It also decided to establish a joint demonstration center where corporations, universities, and research institutes join forces, building a core district that creates new jobs and markets.
Busan and Seongnam were designated for the smart city specialized district project and will each receive up to 8 billion won in national funding over three years. Busan plans to use the Haeundae Centum City area as a stage to build an AI-based intelligent control system and a robot safety net, and to process and provide the urban data collected there so that private corporations can use it for technology development.
Seongnam will connect the Pangyo Techno Valley area with the surroundings of Bundang Seoul National University Hospital to create a space that looks after seniors' health and provides consolidation with advanced transportation. The city plans to use AI to monitor the daily lives of older adults with chronic conditions, while introducing Autonomous Driving shuttle buses traveling to and from hospitals and welfare facilities, along with remote-driving mobility services.
In addition, South Gyeongsang Province and Taean were selected for the data hub pilot solution discovery project and will each receive 1 billion won in national funding for one year. South Gyeongsang Province will join hands with 17 cities and counties to create Gyeongnam Moduda, an integrated platform that analyzes visitors' movements and consumption patterns in real time. Through this, the province plans to guide customized travel routes for visitors, help them avoid congested areas, and revitalize the local economy.
Taean County, South Chungcheong Province, which borders the sea, devised a plan to complete and roll out nationwide the Taean Ansimhae system, which analyzes marine weather data such as tidal information in real time to detect risks like distress or isolation in advance and immediately alert rescue agencies.
Lee Gi-bong, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) director-general for urban policy, said, "The true completion of this smart city effort does not end with building flashy infrastructure; it lies in local governments holding the initiative and operating it responsibly to the end." Lee added, "Since the project plans submitted during the call are not the final versions, it is even more important to refine concrete designs and operating models suited to each region going forward. The government will also serve as a strong supporter, maintaining constant communication and providing support so that local governments can take the lead in establishing a robust operating system."