A Decade of Seoul's Innovation Policies Summarized... Publication of 'Thank Goodness, Seoul'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has published the Seoul Innovation White Paper titled "Fortunately, Seoul," which compiles various innovative policies implemented over the past decade from 2011 to 2020 to address social issues in Seoul.

The white paper organizes a total of 61 policies, including ▲9 policies that changed Seoul ▲16 policies loved by citizens ▲36 policies preparing for Seoul's future. Unlike previous white papers that explained policies by period and category, Seoul City explained that the policies were selected based on their impact on citizens' lives and the ten-million population city of Seoul.

Policies that changed Seoul include those that presented Seoul's vision and policy direction and were expanded nationwide. These include ▲eco-friendly free school meals providing healthy food to children ▲Dong Resident Centers (Chadong) that visit residents to support welfare and health ▲pedestrian-friendly cities centered on people instead of cars ▲a city based on sharing rather than ownership ▲and village community projects that foster neighborly cooperation.

Policies that made citizens' lives and daily routines more convenient include ▲the 50 Plus Project supporting middle-aged adults aged 50 to 64 preparing for their second act in life ▲youth activity support and youth allowances encouraging young people's futures ▲and Seoul's animal welfare policies that make both people and animals happy.

Policies that will change life in Seoul after the COVID-19 pandemic include ▲Our Neighborhood Care Centers that ease worries about child-rearing ▲seasonal fine dust management ▲and the Seoul Food Master Plan that considers the health of citizens and the planet.

The white paper features interviews that reveal innovative policies directly experienced by citizens and the difficulties faced by public officials who created and implemented these policies. For each policy, the current status, efforts made, and policy outcomes are summarized in charts and figures for easy understanding.

The white paper can be downloaded for free from the Seoul e-book website and the Seoul city website, and it is also available for purchase at Seoul Bookstore.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.