IFEZ Journal

Urban evolution has always been driven by the inherent value of connectivity. The power and value of cities have always originated from exchange and interaction, as seen in the 17th-century trade information exchanged in small cafés at Amsterdam’s port, which eventually led to the world’s first stock exchange and laid the foundation of capitalism. Emerging modes of connectivity—including ports, railways, and printing technologies—have undeniably served as key engines of urban change and advancement.

Barcelona, Spain is setting the direction for future cities through digital transformation.

In the modern era, the channels that connect cities are no longer confined to harbors and railways. With the decline of purely physical connections, the era of digital platforms has arrived. Now, data has become a novel pathway that unlocks opportunities for transformation and progress. Urban spaces are transforming into platforms that connect the flow of data. Instead of ships, data flows; instead of sailors and passengers, digital citizens traverse the city. Today, urban connectivity extends beyond roads and railways, operating through digital networks and platform structures. At its core, the issue comes down to one question: How will cities connect data? Platforms, for example Google, Amazon, and Facebook, connect users with services, enabling self-directed production and consumption. The same principle applies to cities. While seaport cities once functioned as hubs for trade and information, modern platform cities have evolved into focal points of tangible economic and social innovation, where data, networks, urban experimentation, and international collaboration converge. Cities are being reshaped by data, ushering in an era where connectivity is the key to competitiveness. Estonia, Barcelona, and other cities are providing models for future urban development by leveraging digital transformation to build global knowledge and innovation ecosystems.

Estonia exemplifies how this potential can be realized at the national level. Through its e-Residency program, the country enables anyone in the world to become a digital citizen, establish a company, and access tax and administrative services. By transforming its borders into a platform, this small country now ranks first globally in startups per GDP and stands as a European city-state with outstanding digital capabilities. Meanwhile, Barcelona guarantees citizens’ data rights and makes public data accessible for hackathons and global startups. This cross-boundary collaboration has established Barcelona as a testbed for urban innovation on a global scale.In this context, the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) can be considered a city with exceptional strategic potential. Rather than updating existing cities for digital transformation, it is a newly built city on a digital foundation. IFEZ's status as a free economic zone with institutional flexibility further enhances its value as a testbed for technological adoption and global cooperation. The “IFEZ Smart City-Based Services – Phase 1” project by the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA) is a prime example of the openness of public data and innovation. Since 2024, IFEZA has adopted smart services focused on three areas: citizen safety and convenience, future mobility, and business environment innovation.

or instance, it has deployed AI-powered object recognition CCTV and video analysis technologies to eliminate monitoring blind spots and to significantly strengthen the urban safety network, such as by improving searches for missing persons and by supporting crime prevention. It has also installed a pedestrian object-recognition system based on data integration and open services to enhance pedestrian safety. In addition, it has upgraded the “Poom Platform,” which supports Incheon Startup Park tenants, to provide GPU resources and AI solutions, thereby strengthening an ecosystem where innovative startups can experiment and refine new ideas. The Smart City – Phase 1 thus goes beyond merely introducing technology, turning the city itself into a platform that encourages active engagement and innovation among citizens and enterprises. IFEZA is currently working on the AI Data Platform Architecture as part of the Detailed Design of Smart City services - Phase 2. Rather than just building infrastructure, this initiative structures how data is collected, integrated, and applied throughout the city, offering a blueprint that leverages AI to reshape the daily lives of the public, as well as industrial processes and urban infrastructure. It is expected to drive a major AI-led transformation across industries, enhance public safety through AI applications in healthcare and disaster management, and establish an AI- and autonomous vehicle-based transportation and logistics ecosystem in the southern part of Ganghwa. Moreover, if this framework is opened to external developers, global startups, and universities, Incheon will expand beyond a city for technological experimentation into a global co-creation hub. This approach will serve as both an actionable strategy for the city to function as part of the global knowledge ecosystem and the starting point for realizing a connectivity-driven economy. The competitive edge of a city is no longer determined by its area or population. The future of a city hinges on how many reliable connections it can make and what people and opportunities emerge from them. Realizing a connectivity-driven economy using data, human capital, and trust defines the very future of a city. If the IFEZ transforms into a true platform city, its development will go beyond the physical boundaries of a new city into a global hub of cooperation built on digital trust.Cities thrive on connectivity. Platformization is a way for cities to further expand and deepen their traditional strengths. By leveraging its airports, ports, and platform-based urban model, IFEZ is expected to connect global citizens and position Incheon as a global city.