AI Future Cities Can Open Korea's Next Chapter

The proposal outlines a vision for cities where an AI platform acts as an urban operating system, coordinating services from housing and transport to healthcare. This system would use data to continuously diagnose city conditions and anticipate residents' needs, aiming for an innovative and livable environment. The emphasis on an ontology-based approach suggests a structured understanding of urban elements and their interrelationships, moving beyond simple data aggregation.

Beyond technology, the plan stresses the importance of a governance structure that upholds citizen sovereignty to manage technological risks and safeguard residents' rights. This suggests an acknowledgment that advanced urban systems require a corresponding framework for oversight and public participation, aiming to prevent technology from dictating urban life without accountability.

The physical design of these cities is also detailed, focusing on scale, density, and connectivity. They would feature high-density mixed-use districts with extensive green spaces, rapid transit connecting city centers and neighboring cities, and advanced mobility options like self-driving shuttles and urban air mobility. Housing is presented as basic infrastructure, with public land ownership near transit hubs intended to return development gains to residents and provide universal public housing options, aiming to address societal challenges like housing insecurity and educational gaps.