Hyung Min Kim – författare

Smart Cities for Technological and Social Innovation establishes a key theoretical framework to understand the implementation and development of smart cities as innovation drivers, in terms of lasting impacts on productivity, livability and sustainability of specific initiatives. This framework is based on empirical analysis of 12 case studies, including pioneer projects from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and more. It explores how successful smart cities initiatives nurture both technological and social innovation using a combination of regulatory governance and private agency. Typologies of smart city-making approaches are explored in depth. Integrative analysis identifies key success factors in establishing innovation relating to the effectiveness of social systems, institutional thickness, governance, the role of human capital, and streamlining funding of urban development projects.

Kim details a brief history of urban renewal in central Seoul through articulating urban planning paradigm shifts. This book illustrates four main themes in central Seoul: the restoration of the Cheonggye stream, the redevelopment of the Sewoon Plaza, the enhancement of walkability and public transport networks, and history- centred urban renewal.

Urban renewal is seen as a remedy for urban sprawl and is appreciated for its capacity to make use of pre-existing infrastructure and cultural assets in high- density urban areas. However, it faces critical challenges, such as fragmented property ownership and escalated land prices in comparison with peri- urban areas. The book focuses on how planning policies have shaped the urban renewal process in central Seoul, South Korea. Spatial development policies for central Seoul have been changed from modern transport facilities, post- war reconstruction, informality, industrialisation to walkability, sustainability, and social cohesion in line with economic restructuring. In recent times, there has been a significant change in thinking towards creating public spaces for walking, preserving historical sites and heritage, and maintaining green spaces. These interconnected topics contribute to understanding the complexity of urban renewal.

This book is a useful read for researchers on urban planning and policies who are keen to understand the complicated process of urban renewal and ways to revitalise economic and human activities and transform built environments.