From Sidewalks to Skylines: Seoul Turns to Data for Smarter Governance (Image supported by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, July 17 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Thursday it will begin integrating big data analytics into the early stages of policymaking, marking a major shift toward predictive, evidence-based urban governance.
The initiative, dubbed “data-first administration,” aims to assess the impact of key municipal projects across five sectors—urban space, transportation, housing and welfare, economy and commerce, and culture and tourism.
By forecasting policy outcomes in advance, the city intends to tailor public services more precisely to residents’ needs and strengthen policy accountability.
One of the first applications will focus on designing a “30-minute city,” where all essential services are accessible within a half-hour walk. By analyzing population demographics, pedestrian infrastructure, and even age-specific walking speeds, the city will identify underserved neighborhoods and prioritize facility upgrades accordingly.
Example of big data analysis on pedestrian activity zones by age group (Image provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government)
Other projects include:
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Green space access: Data on park usage and spatial distribution will guide the rollout of neighborhood greenery within a five-minute walk.
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Public safety: Using 3D spatial data—such as building heights and terrain—the city will pinpoint blind spots and optimize locations for CCTV and lighting.
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Light rail expansion: By modeling the post-launch impact of existing lines like the Sillim and Ui-Sinseol lines, the city will evaluate proposed routes on criteria including convenience, environmental effects, and job creation.
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Housing policy: Big data will forecast redevelopment-related housing gaps and rental volatility, supporting proactive planning in a context of declining birth rates.
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Local economy: Payment and visitor flow data will help measure the real-world effect of events at traditional markets and guide regional commercial revitalization strategies.
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Tourism: Analysis of foreign card spending and visitor behavior will inform high-value tourism strategies and personalized cultural programming.
Seoul City Hall exterior view (Image courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government)
The city currently conducts over 100 data analysis projects annually and has operated an integrated public-private analytics system since late last year. These efforts have already influenced real-world policy: after a fatal accident near City Hall Station in 2023, the city used spatial crowding and sidewalk data to bolster pedestrian safety infrastructure.
Similar methods were used to strategically install EV charging stations based on patterns in car registration, charging demand, and parking availability.
Seoul plans to enhance its analytical models by the end of the year and begin applying them across departments in 2026. The tools will also be made available to local districts via a new Big Data Service Platform, enabling decentralized, data-informed decision-making.
“Seoul is transforming into a city that designs public life based on data,” said Kang Ok-hyun, head of the city’s Digital Urban Bureau. “We will continue expanding data-driven administration to deliver more effective and responsive public policies.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
