HS Design, Diversity Key to Globalization Seoul
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
International experts proposed Wednesday that Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) should upgrade design, boost diversity and make a more business-friendly environment for stronger global competitiveness.
In an opening speech of the Global Metropolitan Forum of Seoul 2009 at the Shilla Hotel, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said the global financial crisis had left a lot questions for major cities including Seoul to ponder.
``Seoul is working on raising the brand value of the city in terms of design and culture,'' Oh said.
He said the charm of a global city should start at impressing foreigners who visit. Meanwhile, Seoul has created a Global Zone, Global Center and schools and housing for foreign residents.
Seoul has sought to make Yeouido, the home of many financial firms, an international financial hub and the mayor aims to establish an environment for foreigners to communicate in English easily.
``The most important business in terms of the urban development is banking, thus the financial hub project shouldn't be affected by the economic crisis,'' Oh said. ``Though we will focus on job creation and welfare this year, the hub project will continue in the long-term.''
Daniel Pink, a futurist and the author of ``A Whole New Mind,'' gave a special lecture on the theme of ``Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age'' and pointed out six concepts for successful businesses: design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning.
According to the futurist, Seoul is becoming a design city rapidly and, along with design, it is strong on story and symphony. He said the biggest challenge facing SMG was how to make the city more diverse and friendly for mixed industries.
Another noted scholar also stressed the importance of diversity. ``Diversity is critical for urban economies,'' said Prof. Saskia Sassen of Columbia University, one of the keynote speakers. She lectured on the advantages of specialization and costs of financialization at global cities.
Allen Scott, professor of geography and public policy at University of California, Los Angeles, also gave a speech on the future of global mega cities.
Seoul will reflect the proposals suggested at the forum toward the globalization policy of the city. The forum was created by SMG and the National Academy of Sciences in 2007 to increase the competitiveness of Seoul compared to other global cities.