By Kim Young Deok and Kim Young Shin

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has won the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, an international award known as the "Nobel Prize for cities" that recognizes outstanding practices in urban solutions. Seoul received the award at the World Cities Summit in Singapore on July 9.

Organized by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore and the Centre for Liveable Cities, the prize was established by the Singaporean government and is awarded to city governments that present solutions to create liveable, vibrant and sustainable urban communities.

The jury praised Seoul's conversion of an old traffic overpass into the Seoullo 7017, an elevated green space and walkway, and the rehabilitation of disused oil tanks into the Mapo Culture Depot, both of which engaged the Seoul citizenry in their decision making process.

Seoul is now the fifth winner of the prize, beating prominent rivals such as Tokyo, Hamburg in Germany, Surabaya in Indonesia and Kazan in Russia.

“It is very meaningful that Seoul won the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize for the regeneration projects led by the citizens,” said Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon who accepted the prize on behalf of the city. “Seoul will share its solutions with other international cities, including North Korean cities, such as Pyeongyang, for the prosperity of Northeast Asia.”

kyd1991@korea.kr