KRIHS-IDB Urban Development Academy (KIUDA) 2017: Opening Ceremony

Date: May 29, 2017
Venue: Shilla Hotel, Seoul
Theme: Opening ceremony for the invitation program for high-ranking government officials from Latin America hosted by KRIHS and IDB

The Global Development Partnership Center (GDPC) of the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (KRIHS) hosted the opening ceremony for KRIHS-IDB Urban Development Academy (KIUDA) jointly designed between the KRIHS and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Shilla Hotel in Seoul for 6 days from May 28 to June 3, 2017.

Among the 16 participants from 7 Latin countries in the program were the deputy mayor of Panama City, the governor of departmental governmental of Rivera in Uruguay, the director of ministry of cities in Brazil and high ranking government officials from Mexico, Chile, Paraguay and Colombia and two participants are from IDB.

In the opening ceremony, the president of the KRIHS, Dongju Kim suggested sharing Korea's strategies and experiences on urbanization, emphasizing high rate of urbanization in both Korea and LAC countries, and also highlighted mutual cooperation to explore ways of responding to urbanization. In addition, he hoped that the KIUDA program contributes to policy development and management of each country.

After the welcoming speech, the senior specialist in IDB Andres Blanco mentioned the active participation including not only central government but also local government and federal banks would bring the broader range of fruitful outcome. Also he recommended to share the status quo and challenges facing in each country and to find better solutions together.

On behalf of the government guests, the deputy mayor of Panama City, Raisa Banfield and the deputy of Rivera in Uruguay, Marne Osorio extended expectation and appreciation to KRIHS and IDB, who organized the program.

Afterwards, the director of the GDPC in KRIHS, Jinkyu Chung introduced research agendas and achievements of GDPC. Also he suggested topics and areas where mutual collaboration and cooperation would be pursued. Andres Blanco addressed the implications from Korea's development and how they would be applied to LACs. Also he mentioned that the areas including Korea’s territorial plan, new town policy, free economic zone and smart city should be discussed and shared through the KIUDA program.

After the opening ceremony, the senior advisor of the KRIHS, Sungsu Choi introduced Korea's experiences on economic and territorial development process, and the director of the KRIHS, Wonsup Lee explained Korea’s territorial development frame and its periodic changes.

During the session in the afternoon, LAC countries addressed current status and challenges of each country, and presented the sectors where they would like to cooperate with KRIHS. LAC countries pointed the common problem of reckless development and its side effects of urbanization. Also the importance of legal system for urban development regulation and building infrastructure and houses with good quality are emphasized.

The 6-day program including lectures, site visits and a meeting with the Seoul Metropolitan Government will be instrumental in sharing experiences on Korea’s territorial planning, urban and housing development and discussing ways for further cooperation. Through this program, it is expected to solidify cooperative partnership between Korea and Latin America for the future.

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