Operationalizing sustainability in South Korean smart cities: potential role of Living Labs in Songsan Green City, Hwaseong
As urban societies confront complex challenges associated with environmental degradation, social inequality, and aging infrastructure, the need for sustainable and citizen-centered urban development has become increasingly urgent. In South Korea, the transition from Ubiquitous Cities (U-Cities) to m...
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| Publicat a: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/netcom, |
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| Autors principals: | , , |
| Format: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Idioma: | Anglais |
| Publicat: |
Netcom
2026
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| Matèries: | |
| Accés en línia: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Sumari: | As urban societies confront complex challenges associated with environmental degradation, social inequality, and aging infrastructure, the need for sustainable and citizen-centered urban development has become increasingly urgent. In South Korea, the transition from Ubiquitous Cities (U-Cities) to more integrated and participatory smart city models reflects broader efforts to embed sustainability into urban governance frameworks. One promising approach to operationalizing this transition is the adoption of Smart City Living Labs—collaborative platforms where citizens, public institutions, and private actors co-design and test solutions in real-life urban environments.This study explores the role of Living Labs as strategic instruments for implementing sustainability in South Korean smart cities. It examines their function as experimental spaces that enable iterative learning, institutional adaptation, and citizen empowerment, while also addressing the practical challenges of stakeholder coordination and policy integration. Through a case study of Songsan Green City in Hwaseong, an emerging smart city development in its early stages, this paper investigates how Living Lab frameworks can be institutionalized in the South Korean context, particularly in relation to national smart city policy agendas and citizen participation mandates.By reviewing existing literature, policy frameworks, and preliminary initiatives in Hwaseong City, the study proposes key strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of Living Labs as vehicles for sustainable urban innovation. Ultimately, it contributes to the broader discourse on how bottom-up approaches can complement top-down planning in the pursuit of equitable and resilient smart cities. |
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