Suwon Operates Task Force for 'Integrated Policy Development Model'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-seong] Suwon City is operating a 'Policy Innovation Task Force (TF)' to establish an 'integrated policy development model that plans and realizes.'

The Policy Innovation TF, composed of Park Dae-seung, director of Suwon's Planning and Coordination Office (task force leader), six researchers from the Suwon Policy Research Institute, and civil servants, plans to benchmark the Curitiba Urban Planning Institute (IPPUC) in Brazil, which directly plans and realizes innovative policies, to realize a 'Suwon-type IPPUC model.'

Curitiba, Suwon's international sister city, is well known as the model for Seoul's public transit reform, being the first city to introduce a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

The Brazil-based Curitiba IPPUC, established in 1965, performs tasks including △coordinating planning and implementation plans for Curitiba City △adjusting urban growth through appropriate distribution of urban activities △developing comprehensive alternatives for improving social and economic conditions △restructuring urban structure through policies and guidelines △researching financing methods for realizing urban plans.

Conventional policy development follows a dualistic structure where research institutes conduct research and cities review the results to implement them.

The Policy Innovation TF plans to establish an integrated policy development model where researchers and administrators collaborate to research, plan, and realize innovative policies. It will also lead urban innovation, rapidly formulate policies, and establish collaborative systems.

First, the task force will select priority tasks from three perspectives—livelihood awareness, innovative growth, and alternative policies—to lead urban innovation.

In the livelihood awareness sector, it will research △providing economic policy directions citizens can feel △introducing circular BRT systems in areas underserved by public transit △support systems for house repairs. In the innovative growth sector, it will discuss △campus towns linked with universities △implementing carbon neutrality △bio clusters. The alternative policy sector includes △developing civil planning committee models for urban policies △resolving traffic congestion areas △evaluating major financial projects.

The Policy Innovation TF will establish a 'policy fast-track' that plans and realizes by integrating preliminary research, planning, and budgeting. It will also create a system to immediately respond to urgent issues.

An integrated system combining administration and research will also be established. Synergy effects are expected by combining civil servants' on-site administration with research institutes' theory.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun of Suwon said, "Through operating the Policy Innovation TF, I hope Suwon City and the Suwon Policy Research Institute will cooperate to present a leading innovative policy development model," and urged, "Please actively engage in developing innovative policies with open thinking and a shift in perspective."