Page 25 - U4SSC Case study Daegu, Korea (Republic of), February 2022

Additionally, the U4SSC KPIs serve as effective tools for self-assessment for cities. The U4SSC KPIs
can identify the key areas for improvement and lay the foundation for reviewing city strategies and
the basis for measuring and monitoring activities.

4 Overview of Daegu

4.1 Introduction

Figure 4: Image of the city of Daegu

Situated in the inland south-east of the Korean Peninsula, the Daegu Metropolitan city covers an
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area of 883 km and is home to more than 2.4 million people. Being the third-largest city in the
Republic of Korea, Daegu has served as one of the country's cultural centres. The following events
are held every year: the Daegu Colorful Festival, the Chimac Festival, the Daegu International
Musical Festival and the Daegu International Opera Festival. Daegu has also hosted several leading
conferences and events including the World Energy Congress (2013) and the World Athletics
Championships (2011).

The city of Daegu has developed machinery/metal, automotive parts and textile manufacturing,
and is focusing on new industries such as medical, future automotive, water, energy, robotics and
other smart city-related industries to boost the city's sustainable growth trajectory.

Following the inauguration of Mayor Kwon Young-jin, in 2014, a smart sustainable city vision was
prepared in 2015 through a process that included an inhabitant roundtable meeting, followed by
an expert meeting.

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