PUPR Minister Basuki Visits Smart Cities In South Korea Such As Sejong, Songsan, And Songdo, So They Can Be 'cheated' For IKN

Photo: Doc. Between

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono reviewed the implementation of new cities and smart cities (Smart City) in South Korea which can be a good example to be implemented in the Capital of the Archipelago (IKN).

The review was carried out by Minister Basuki while accompanying President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on a working visit to the ginseng country on Thursday, July 28, as stated in a written statement from the Ministry of PUPR, quoted from Antara, Friday, July 29.

The first location visited was the Special Autonomous City of Sejong and is de facto the Administrative Capital of South Korea. Sejong City was built with a philosophy of decentralization and equitable growth.

Sejong City began construction in 2007 and was completed in 2019 which was prepared to address the issue of development gaps between regions centered in Seoul City.

Sejong City is a new model of decentralization in accordance with the democratic era to improve people's living standards with the concept of a smart city that integrates technology in all aspects of life.

Basuki during his working visit also visited Busan City, which is a pilot project for developing a smart city in South Korea besides Sejong City.

"The development philosophy of Busan Eco Delta Smart City is to make a global city, which is innovative and thriving where nature, people and technology meet for future progress," said Basuki.

The next location visited was the development of Songsan Green City which is a new city center in the Namyang-eup and Songsan-myeon areas in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea which is targeted for completion in 2022.

Lastly, Minister Basuki saw firsthand the Songdo New Town which is the International Business District in South Korea.

The city was developed on an area of 600 hectares out of a total area of 1,500 hectares along the seaside of Incheon. Songdo is a gateway to the East Asian Sea designed to live and work.

Songdo puts forward the concept of a balanced city that combines the ideal blend of residential, cultural, business, retail and leisure environments.

Songdo is designed as a pedestrian-friendly city, with pedestrian-friendly roads, 70 percent lower emissions, 40 percent green space, and a city that encourages active living, the PUPR Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry of PUPR will start the physical construction of infrastructure in IKN, East Kalimantan this year. The construction of the replacement capital city for Jakarta, which requires a total cost of Rp. 466 trillion, is targeted for completion in 2045.