Policy Seminar on World Bank & N. India’s Development of 3 Smart Cities

The National Infrastructure Research Division and Global Development Partnership Center of Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (KRIHS) on Sept. 28 jointly hosted a policy seminar on the World Bank-supervised “Northern India Three Smart Cities Development” project. KRIHS Senior Research Fellow Lee Sanggun gave a presentation on “Case Studies and Implications of Korea’s Four Smart Cities” and explained KRIHS’ consulting projects on smart city operations pursued along with the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank.

In addition, a discussion was held with municipal officials from the Indian small to mid-size cities of Panjim, Shimla and Hubli on what issues to consider in the pursuit of smart city development. Dr. Lee in the seminar then stressed the importance of secured financing, adoption of the proper business model and the will of relevant public officials as preconditions for successful development of smart cities in India, and confirmed the need for close cooperation to pursue the projects. Attending the seminar were the mayors of the three Indian cities, project staff from World Bank headquarters and its New Delhi office, and policy export operations officials from Seoul City Hall.

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