News

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  The Seoul Institute celebrates thirty years of research on public infrastructure

  등록일 2022-08-30 글쓴이 seoulsolution

  The Seoul Institute held the second session of its commemorative seminar “Thirty Years of the Seoul Institute, Discovering Values Together” in the conference room at 2 PM on Thu, Aug. 25. Following the welcome speech, the seminar covered presentations in three areas—transportation, safety/environment, and urban planning/housing—exploring the Seoul Institute’s thirty years of research on public infrastructure for a sustainable Seoul as well as for urban spaces of the future. The speakers presented not only on the Seoul Institute’s major cases of research by period, such as the enhancement of methods for urban planning and management as well as the concept of a future city reflecting the rapidly changing social and economic conditions, which correspond to the changes in spatial demand in the era of the great transition, but also suggested future research directions such as field-based research that can be implemented to respond to complex and diverse urban spatial issues. The seminar was followed by a panel discussion comprising past researchers of the Seoul Institute, discussing the Seoul Institute’s role and direction of research ahead through various opinions. This thirtieth-anniversary seminar session served as an opportune venue for participants to explore the various research conducted to diversify Seoul’s infrastructure, such as transportation facilities and housing, and to discover ways to preemptively respond to the future based on the Seoul Institute’s research.

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  Post-foster care self-reliance support measures for youths

  등록일 2022-09-15 글쓴이 seoulsolution

  The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced reinforced post-foster care self-reliance support measures for youths starting their adult life on their own at a relatively early age. Foster care refers to a system in which a minor has been placed into a ward, group home (e.g. residential child care community, treatment center) or private home of a state-certified caregiver (i.e. foster parent, foster family). The city is aiming to support youths who are emancipating from foster care after turning 18 (extended foster care available up to age 24) to start their adult life. About 300 youths leave foster care every year in Seoul alone, and there are currently 1,541 youths preparing to be self-reliant. The city had previously announced its post-foster care self-reliance support measures last September, and is reinforcing the support measures this time by supplementing its initial focus on supporting the financial independence of youths with an additional focus on psychological and emotional support to assist their self-reliance. This secondary approach reflects the collected voices of academic experts, social workers, and youths leaving foster care themselves who are of the opinion that financial support is not enough to assist with self-reliance without supplementary psychological and emotional support as seen from the recent cases serving as examples. Therefore, the city is providing post-foster care self-reliance support for youths to create strong human connections with one or more people so that they do not feel alone and empower them through social connections with their community and neighbors. The city will conduct comprehensive psychological assessments on youths before leaving foster care and offer assistance programs such as mentoring by experienced youths who have found self-reliance as well as financial support for club activities. Moreover, the city plans to establish a 24/7 hotline and a one-stop support center by December for youths out of foster care to receive assistance for self-reliance at any time and in person. The city will also reinforce its initial measure of financial assistance starting next year, raising the base grant to KRW 15 million and allowance funds to KRW 40 thousand. Also, the city will continue to secure additional SH public housing apartment units to assist their life as single-person households. Seoul is expecting that its newly reinforced post-foster care self-reliance support measures will provide much-needed support for youths leaving foster care to assist their preparations for starting their adult life on their own.

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  Seoul’s 50 major attractions at a glance

  등록일 2022-09-05 글쓴이 seoulsolution

  The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is releasing its newly developed urban data service that provides real-time data on 50 major attractions at a glance, such as tourist destinations, parks, and major commercial areas, via Seoul Open Data Plaza. This new service integrates urban data to provide a wide range of real-time data, including visitor congestion, public transportation status (i.e. bus/subway arrivals, Ttareungi bikes), parking spots (limited to some parking lots), traffic situations, and weather. This is the world’s first attempt to combine public and private real-time data by integrating real-time public data (traffic/environment-related) from the city and real-time population data (telecommunication operation) from KT. Moreover, the city will release this service as an open API so that citizens and tourists can access the real-time data as well as for private companies and developers to use it to create new services. Seoul plans to upgrade this service by acquiring more real-time data through collaboration with public institutions and the private sector, prioritizing real-time data on public transportation passenger congestion as well as visitor capacity of performance and cultural facilities, such as sports stadiums, cultural heritage sites, and parks.

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  Beta release of Metaverse Seoul

  등록일 2022-09-01 글쓴이 seoulsolution

  The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) rolled out the beta release of its virtual municipal world Metaverse Seoul on Wed, Aug. 31 as part of this year’s first service phase targeting real users. The purpose of the beta test is to monitor users’ reactions to improve service UI/UX as well as catch and fix bugs prior to the official release of the first service phase scheduled for the end of November. During the beta test period, users can experience the realistic virtual spaces of Seoul City Hall and Seoul Plaza via Metaverse Seoul as well as even get to experience exclusive programs that are difficult to encounter in real life. Users can access Metaverse Seoul using a personal avatar of themselves. Seoul Learn students, especially, can meet with their mentors for virtual consultation and interaction. Seoul plans to utilize the results of this beta test run to actively reflect users’ feedback to Metaverse Seoul, and the city will officially open the service to the public at the end of November. Reference 2 Beta release of Metaverse Seoul (images of main services)