Traffic, crime, fine dust top Seoul residents' smart city concerns: poll

Seoul residents identified traffic congestion, nighttime crime, and fine dust as the top issues requiring smart city solutions, according to a recent poll. Conducted from February 10-21 of the previous year, the survey polled 8,531 citizens both online and offline. Traffic, safety, and environmental concerns topped the list, with 37.5% of respondents prioritizing traffic, 21.2% focusing on safety, and 16.2% expressing concern for the environment.

When asked to pinpoint the most pressing smart city need within each category, traffic congestion emerged as the primary concern, cited by 34.2% of respondents. Insufficient infrastructure and parking difficulties followed, with 18.5% and 17% of respondents, respectively. In the safety category, nighttime crime stood out as the most alarming issue, with 22.5% of respondents expressing worry, followed by sexual crimes (16.7%) and concerns over children's safety at school (10.5%).

The environment sector was dominated by concerns about fine dust, with 29.2% of respondents deeming it the most pressing issue. General air pollution (26.7%) and water pollution (11.2%) also received significant attention. The Seoul metropolitan government has since developed a roadmap extending through 2030, with the aim of boosting the city's competitiveness and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

Proposed smart city initiatives include AI-powered closed-circuit security cameras, air-purifying drones, cleaning robots along the Han River, and autonomous vehicle infrastructure.