Gangseo-gu 'S-Net (Smart Seoul Network)' Construction

Published 04 Aug.2020 11:11(KST)

The Optimal Place for Demonstrating 4th Industrial Technologies like Smart Tech, 'Magok'... Visit Gangseo-gu to See a Smart Future

Magok District LG Science Park

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) is making every effort to create a smart city to leap forward as the central city of Seoul, the capital in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution driven by the convergence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and to become a hub of the Northeast Asian economic network.

To this end, the district established a dedicated smart city department last year and focused on creating an administrative and institutional foundation by enacting the ‘Ordinance on the Creation and Operation of Smart Cities’ and signing the ‘Gangseo-gu-Central University Joint Cooperation Agreement for Smart City Creation in Gangseo-gu.’

In May, the district formed the ‘Seoul Gangseo-gu Smart City Project Council,’ chaired by the deputy mayor and composed of 12 experts in urban planning, information communication, and future technology fields, laying the groundwork for a public-private cooperation network to build a smart city.

In particular, as the old downtown area feels relatively deprived due to the development of the Magok district, smart city stakeholders (experts, residents, etc.) have gathered to explore balanced development directions, promoting research on a ‘Gangseo-gu customized smart city.’

◆ Building a future advanced city where internet access is available anywhere and advanced IT technologies such as video conferencing can be freely used

The district is promoting the construction of Gangseo-gu S-Net (Smart Seoul Network) to eliminate the digital divide that may occur during the smart city creation process.

S-Net is a project to establish a capillary-like self-communication network throughout the public living area, including public WiFi, Internet of Things (IoT), and intelligent CCTV, to create an innovative smart city service infrastructure.

The district plans to invest about 3.4 billion KRW of city funds by October to install an additional 590 public WiFi units throughout the district (in densely populated areas, parks, plazas, etc.). Once installation is complete, the number of public WiFi units will increase from the current 775 to 1,365.

With the expansion of public WiFi installation, along with the expansion of smart infrastructure, residents will be able to use wireless internet free of charge regardless of mobile carriers, thereby closing the information gap and reducing communication costs for residents.

◆ Magok district, the growth engine of the district, is the optimal place for demonstration of 4th industrial technologies including smart technology

The Seoul Metropolitan Government, together with the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), has been conducting the ‘Magok Smart City Living Lab’ project from June to December, providing smart infrastructure and public facilities in the Magok area as a testbed for 4th Industrial Revolution technologies such as AI, IoT, and chatbots.

This year’s project focuses on challenges in health, transportation, and environment, selecting five companies through a public contest to conduct various demonstrations targeting Gangseo-gu residents.

The five companies’ projects include ▲non-face-to-face musculoskeletal healthcare platform development ▲eco AIoT (Artificial Intelligence Internet of Things) chatbot ▲shared electric bicycle system establishment ▲IoT-based waste separation solution ▲smart station installation.

First, a ‘non-face-to-face musculoskeletal healthcare platform’ is being developed to allow Magok residents and workers to remotely manage musculoskeletal health professionally from home.

When participating residents use the measuring device (ExoriHap), AI analyzes big data on health status to assess musculoskeletal progression and risk, then delivers the information to health experts via an app.

Second, the eco AIoT chatbot collects environmental information such as fine dust and noise by installing various IoT sensors in Magok and provides results to residents through big data analysis.

Third, the shared electric bicycle system project introduces the shared electric bicycle service ‘Elecle’ to Magok to improve mid- and short-distance mobility convenience for local workers and residents.

Fourth, the IoT waste separation solution installs 10 ‘WeBin’ recycling separation bins equipped with IoT sensors. When recyclables are properly deposited into WeBin, points that can be used like cash are awarded through the reward app ‘Today’s Recycling.’

Fifth, a smart station that integrates bicycle and electric scooter parking, charging, and sharing in one place is installed to develop and demonstrate convenient parking, charging during parking, and app-based sharing systems.

Each project receives about 70 million KRW in support, and the city plans to share the results of the five projects at a performance report meeting in December.

In particular, the district is providing administrative support by designating department managers for each task.

Additionally, the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH Corporation) has developed the ‘Smart Moss Tower,’ combining smart technology and green infrastructure to tackle fine dust.

The SH Smart Moss Towers are scheduled to be pilot-installed in three locations at Magok Central Plaza by the end of July, with plans to consider installation in apartment complexes after 2021.

The Moss Tower is a cloud-based solution that combines the pollutant-absorbing properties of plants with IoT technology. It is a cylindrical structure about 2 meters high that uses moss and wind to absorb fine dust within approximately 50 meters around it.

◆ How can smart technology help our lives?

The district held the ‘Gangseo-gu Smart City Idea Contest’ in June to discover public services using smart technology that residents can empathize with and experience, selecting eight excellent proposals out of 68 submissions.

The grand prizes went to ‘Unmanned Library, Gangseo-gu Go!’ reflecting the culture of the untact (non-face-to-face) era and the ‘Pothole Detection System’ that integrates advanced technology.

The encouragement awards included ‘Smart Bicycle Path Solar Floor Signage,’ ‘Smart Band for Preventing Solitary Death Using IoT Sensors,’ ‘Gangseo Outdoor Playground Environment and Safety Management Service,’ and ‘Gangseo Market.’

The participation awards included imaginative proposals such as ‘Protecting Residents’ Safety Against Coronavirus with Augmented Reality’ and ‘Our Neighborhood Cleaning Truck Yogiyo.’

The selected excellent proposals will be incorporated into next year’s project plans through coordination with relevant departments and task force teams.

The district provides various smart city services closely related to residents’ lives, including ▲smart libraries ▲smart shared parking services ▲IoT safety management solutions for elderly living alone ▲IoT indoor air quality management systems for daycare centers ▲IoT construction site fine dust and noise monitoring systems ▲traditional market fire alarm services.

In the second half of this year, the district will install ‘smart crosswalks’ to provide ‘nighttime waiting AI services’ and ‘voice guidance services according to traffic light colors’ to enhance safety for ‘smombies’ and nighttime pedestrians.

It also plans to continuously introduce various smart city services such as ‘smart safety management vibration sensors for hazardous facilities’ and ‘themed map service platforms.’

Mayor Noh Hyun-song said, “The most important thing for Gangseo-gu to lead the 4th Industrial Revolution and advance as a future smart city is balanced development between the old and new downtown areas. We will create a people-centered smart city so that no one is left behind and all residents can enjoy cutting-edge public services.”