Seoul and Paris toward the Smart City of tomorrow

By Ashley Phan

In today’s rapidly urbanizing world, the concept of Smart City is gaining prominence as a model for sustainable and efficient urban living. A Smart City is a place where traditional networks and services are made more efficient through the use of digital solutions, ultimately benefiting its inhabitants and business. This transformation involves a process of modernization and adaptation by integrating technology into various aspects of life, from transportation and energy to governance and public services, thus enhancing quality of life and promoting a sustainable environment.

Among the global leaders in this field, Seoul and Paris stand out as two capital cities actively embracing Smart City strategy, each shaped by its own vision and priorities. While Seoul is often praised for its advanced digital infrastructure and citizen-centered e-governance, Paris focuses on participatory innovation and environmental sustainability. Demonstrating their strong commitment to innovation, Paris is ranked 3rd and Seoul 7th in the world’s smartest cities according to the IESE Cities in Motion Index.

In 2023, over 56% of the global population lived in urban areas, a figure expected to rise to 70% by 2050, making the need for Smart City strategies more urgent than ever.

Foundation of a Smart City: Local Priorities

Seoul’s rapid urbanization, with over 9.4 million residents and more than 50% of national jobs concentrated in the metropolitan area, has created issues like congestion and pollution. In response, the city has adopted a Smart City strategy that heavily relies on digital connectivity to optimize urban management. This vision is largely driven by Information and Communication Technology and programs like Smart Seoul 2.0 ¹ with the use of AI and real-time data, thereby transforming governance, mobility and urban services. 

Paris, meanwhile, also faces persistent challenges related to congestion and pollution, as the Île-de-France region counts over 11.2 million inhabitants. It bases its Smart City vision on ecological transition and citizen participation in addition to technology. Initiatives like Paris Smart City 2050 ², Réinventer Paris et Grand Paris project aim to create sustainable urban environments where smart infrastructure, green innovation and suburban connectivity improve urban living. This implies therefore a strong focus on citizen engagement and technological advancement.

¹ : digital strategy implemented by the city of Seoul to enhance the efficiency of its urban services through the integration of advanced technologies

² : a forward-looking urban transformation project launched in 2014 aiming to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2050

Technological Innovation and Urban Mobility

In Seoul, tech-integrated mobility is a key element of urban strategy, significantly reducing car dependency and congestion problems by establishing a model for intelligent transportation, exemplified by the Seoul Smart Mobility reform of 2004. Facilities like real-time public transportation updates, the T-Money transportation card and accessibility features for disabled people make commuting seamless across the city. Seoul’s public transport network is therefore widely praised for its efficiency, affordability and inclusiveness.

Paris also embraces smart mobility by modernizing its public transport system through the Navigo transportation card which provides access to the metro, buses and trams, mirroring Seoul’s integrated approach. The city continues to invest in sustainable mobility by expanding its fleet of eco-friendly buses, enhancing real-time information systems, and promoting bike-sharing through Vélib’. While accessibility remains a challenge, efforts are underway to upgrade stations and services to ensure greater inclusivity for all users.

Environmental Monitoring and Energy Efficency

Seoul harnesses an advanced environmental monitoring system using a sensor network to track air quality, waste management and energy efficiency, all geared toward improving urban life and promoting environmental sustainability. Through digital incentive programs and Information and Communication Technology, the city encourages its citizens to participate in line with the Smart City strategy.

Paris adopts a similarly proactive approach with smart grids, a sensor network and energy-efficient buildings driven by a commitment to sustainability. It emphasizes the expansion of renewable energy, the development of green spaces and the installation of cycling infrastructure. In this way, Paris adopts a binary approach that balances digital technological innovation with social and environmental priorities.

Future challenges and opportunities

Seoul is looking ahead with AI-powered urban operations and city-wide data platforms, aiming to cover 100% of public administrative services by 2030, in order to support infrastructure planning and enable adaptive responses. The city also seeks to strengthen cyber resilience while enhancing urban development and public safety.

Paris faces similar challenges related to urban growth, climate change and cybersecurity but is intensifying on decarbonization strategies and green mobility investments. The focus remains on blending technological advancement with human-centered values.

To summarize...

Seoul and Paris exemplify two complementary models of Smart City development. Seoul’s approach is rooted in technological prowess and efficient urban management with growing emphasis on citizen participation.

Paris, while later to digital adoption, leads in integrating sustainability, participatory governance, and digital innovation.

Both cities demonstrate that the future of smart cities lies in blending advanced technology with inclusive governance, sustainability and people oriented design, offering valuable lessons for urban centers worldwide. Ultimately, the future of Smart Cities lies not just in cutting-edge technology, but in how well it serves the people who live within them.