As part of the project taking place from September 2023 to April 2024, Uman, with the participation of Korean and Ukrainian experts, will develop a Master Plan for a Smart City. This plan will cover various sectors, including tourism, infrastructure, transportation, and security. The initiative aims to create a "General Plan for the Smart City of Uman" that encompasses these different areas. Uman's Mayor, Irina Pletnyova, discussed the city's victory in the global cooperation program, K-City Network 2023, initiated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of the Republic of Korea (MOLIT), during an interview with the "Suspilne.Sprotiv" telethon.

Why was Uman chosen for the reconstruction?

People want real development and an improvement in their lives. However, it should be understood that very few in Ukraine know how to practically attract international resources for city development. Working with major international financial centers requires a different way of thinking and even a state of mind. A year ago, we had the opportunity to meet a Ukrainian team that knows how to work with international capital. They told us that the South Korean government has long been offering Ukrainian cities to participate in a city development program funded by South Korea. I said that Uman is ready for development! So, in order to become the winner in the competition of the global cooperation program, K-City Network 2023, initiated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of the Republic of Korea (MOLIT), we worked for a whole year. We worked and learned how to work... Our partners helped us prepare the competition application. The application was prepared by experts engaged by the public organization "Hi-Tech Office Ukraine." In 2023, 18 countries participated in the K-City Network competition, and 30 applications were submitted. The Ukrainian city of Uman emerged as the winner! It's worth noting that we became the first and only city in Ukraine to kickstart real collaboration with South Korea. After our victory, the Koreans started to believe in working with Ukraine. On October 11 and 12, 2023, our partners offered 1,250 Ukrainian communities the opportunity to receive grants ranging from $20 to $100 million USD for post-war reconstruction projects. These are fantastic resources. As proof of their intentions, our partners are using our city, Uman, as an example to inspire our colleagues across Ukraine. It's very gratifying. 

Opportunities arise when you don't just wait but actively demonstrate to both local and foreign partners that the local government is open, responsible, and has zero tolerance for corruption (which is the most critical factor today). This can only be demonstrated through practical actions. We understand that development is possible through the incorporation of new technologies and investments. Investors have long sought to enter Ukraine. Of course, the war has shifted priorities. Our focus is now on providing assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, creating the safest possible conditions for the people of Uman, and resolving all issues for families affected by shelling and those who have lost loved ones.

However, the duty of the government is to ensure that while addressing immediate concerns, we don't forget about strategic development. That's why we're working on a post-war recovery and development strategy with the involvement of domestic and foreign partners. This approach will allow us to direct budget funds towards strengthening the country's defense capabilities. We have already initiated projects for the modernization of the water supply system, achieving energy independence, automating administrative services, and much more. We will provide separate updates on all of these endeavors.

In the context of the project, which will run from September 2023 to April 2024, a Master Plan for a smart city will be developed in Uman, involving Korean and Ukrainian experts. This Master Plan encompasses various sectors. It pertains to creating a "General Plan for the Smart City of Uman" that covers various areas, including tourism, infrastructure, transportation, and security?

The concept of "smart cities" has been discussed in Ukraine for some time now. In different cities, individual solutions are being implemented, such as electronic tickets, situational centers that analyze data from external surveillance cameras, and the management of outdoor lighting, among other things. However, there have been no examples of comprehensive ecosystems in cities that unify all these solutions into one. The primary goal is to make life in the city convenient, safe, and comfortable for its residents. The key is to plan solutions that are relevant to our community. Through our victory, we can tap into the experience of Korea, one of the most advanced and innovative countries in the world. Importantly, as part of the project we are working on with our Korean partners, a business model and a plan for securing financial resources for the creation and management of a smart city will be developed. This is crucial because such projects cannot be realized solely through the budget funds.

What are you currently working on?

As of now, we are working closely on various aspects of the project. On September 18, during the SMART CITY EXPO WORLD CONGRESS 2023 in Korea, the "Uman Smart City Master Plan" project was presented. The project is managed by Cheil Engineering, and four other companies are involved in its execution: Korea Water Resources Corporation, HANA Urban Institute, Korea Institute of Land and Urban Planning, and Samjong KPMG. We are providing our Korean partners with all the necessary information pertaining to various aspects of city life, including analytics, statistical data, and strategic documents.

Furthermore, we are compiling a list of state institutions, Ukrainian experts, and companies that will be involved in the specific directions of "Smart City Solutions." Most importantly, all the directions and components included in this plan will be discussed and reviewed with the ultimate authority and sponsor – our community. Our aim is to ensure that the Smart City Master Plan aligns with the needs and aspirations of the people of Uman.

What will Uman look like in the future? What is your vision for this city?

We want Uman to become more than just a place to visit Sofiyivka, our local gem, or the largest Hasidic pilgrimage center in Europe. Through the implementation of this project, Uman has the chance to become the first real example of a smart city in Ukraine, where all solutions are integrated into a single system that creates a comfortable living space. People can come and witness how technology serves the residents, changing their lives in practice. We believe that this can be achieved by utilizing advanced technologies and investments. Furthermore, we hope that, based on our practical project implementation, other cities in Ukraine will receive a proven model for reconstruction and development. This project signifies the beginning of South Korea's involvement in Ukraine's post-war recovery. Our Korean colleagues understand the difficult situation Ukraine is in, including the war, an aggressive neighbor, and the challenging reconstruction process from the ruins. South Korean partners are interested in enhancing cooperation with Ukraine, not only in the digital sector. They are ready to be reliable partners in projects related to city reconstruction, urban infrastructure modernization, and establishing new production facilities. Therefore, we need to keep moving forward and continue our efforts towards victory and post-war recovery together.