The Evolution From Ubiquitous to Smart Cities: A Case of Korea

Abstract

This study, using the smart city case of Korea (the evolution from ubiquitous to smart cities) in the recent decade, suggests conditions of successful governance for smart cities. U-City as a preceding version of smart cities in Korea failed to reflect not only ideas and opinions but also wants, needs, and desires of citizens because its vision did not emerge from citizens. Rather, the nation-driven top-down initiative sought to make technology-driven changes in city services, as the term “ubiquitous” hints. However, smart cities do not lie only in the dimension of technology. To make a city smart, city governments should focus on selected problems facing constraints of budget and resources, seeking for a small and open government. Citizens are required to play multiple roles: e.g., a co-producer of city services, a watchdog of city policies and administration, and a champion of city brands.