Seongnam City, Korea's first 'World Smart City Awards' Innovation Category Grand Prize Winner
Expo participating companies, Seongnam Pavilion effect ‘excellent’… Number of export consultations increases up to 3 times
Seongnam City (Mayor Shin Sang-jin) won the grand prize in the innovation category for the 'Innovation for Hope' project at the 'World Smart City Awards 6' held in Barcelona, Spain on the 2024th (local time).
The 'World Smart City Awards' is a global smart city awards ceremony that has been held annually since 2011. Hosted and organized by the City of Barcelona and Fira Barcelona, it selects and awards leading smart cities and innovative projects. Seongnam City was highly evaluated for its innovation in presenting a sustainable city model that reduces conflicts between regions and generations and improves the quality of life by utilizing 4th industrial revolution technologies such as drones.
Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin said, “This award is the result of Seongnam City’s smart city efforts being recognized domestically and internationally,” and added, “We will strive to improve the quality of life for residents through the latest technology and create a sustainable and efficient smart city environment.”
The new mayor met with Ramon Roca, the president of Firabarcelona, the organizer of the 2024 Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), and said that next year, he would expand the operation of the Seongnam Pavilion by allowing more Seongnam companies with excellent original technologies to participate.
Chairman Roka responded, “I am grateful for the cooperation with Seongnam City, and I hope that small and medium-sized enterprises with excellent technologies will become the center of smart city innovation.”
This year, six companies participated in Seongnam Pavilion: Invic (AI safety control solution development specialist), Gridwiz (future energy development specialist), Darisosoft (AI real-time road risk information service company), Freenew (drone company participating in drone demonstration city construction project), Sawwave (AI pole technology wireless communication company), and V&G (spatial information and digital twin specialist company).
In particular, Invic’s CEO Ji Hyo-cheol expressed satisfaction with the effectiveness of the Seongnam Hall, saying, “The number of consultations has increased by more than three times compared to last year.” Seongnam City provided systematic support for the operation of the Seongnam Hall, including overseas marketing training, booth rental and equipment support, partial support for airfare and exhibition item transportation, and interpretation and promotional support.
Meanwhile, Seongnam City was invited to the 'The French Innovative Challenge' held at the French Pavilion, where it presented domestic smart city technology and achievements, creating an opportunity for technological exchange.