Special Report Vol. 62 (2021)

International Cooperation in Metropolitan Area Management in Developing Countries

Chapter I. Background and Purpose

Chapter II. Status of Metropolitan Area Management in Developing Countries and Issues

1. Urbanization and Metropolitan Areas in Developing Countries
2. Issues Relating to Metropolitan Area Management in Developing Countries

Chapter III. Changes in Korea's Metropolitan Area Management Policy and Implications

1. Changes in the Metropolitan Area Management Policy
2. The Seoul Metropolitan Area Management Policies by Period
3. Implications for Developing Countries

Chapter IV. International Cooperation in Metropolitan Area Management in Developing Countries

1. Direction for International Cooperation in Metropolitan Area Management in Developing Countries
2. Suggestions of Mid- and Long-term Projects to Take the Lead in International Cooperation in Metropolitan Area Management in Developing Countries

Summary

Rapid urbanizationin developing countries results in a need for planning-based development and management for metropolitan areas. In response to this, South Korea has consistently been requested to share its experiences with metropolitan area management and collaborate on international cooperation projects. However, South Korea’s international cooperation in the urban sector has consisted chiefly of development experience-based projects founded in high-cost, high-efficiency technology. This underscores the need for development of international cooperation contentson metropolitan area management to reflect this demand from developing countries, along with customized cooperation efforts. The purpose of this studyis to assess the status quo of metropolitan area management in developing countries and related issues, while drawing implications from South Korea’s experience of metropolitan area management to suggest avenues for international cooperation to meet the demand for said management in developing countries.

To demonstrate the importance of metropolitan area management policies in developing countries, this study assesses the current status of metropolitan areas by regions and income-levels and identifies metropolitan area management issues present in the existing literature. In addition, to identify a response to the demand for metropolitan area management policies in developing countries, this study reviews transformations in management policies for the Greater Seoul area in South Korea over different stages of its development, identifying details ofmajor regulation- and investment-related policies and development of enabling environment and assessing their respective strengths and weaknesses.

Lastly, this study identifies avenues for international cooperation on metropolitan area management and suggests intermediate- and long-term programs to guide international cooperation for metropolitan areas in developing countries. As intermediate- to long-term programs reflecting the importance of metropolitan area management in developing countries, it suggests establishing a system for identification and sharing of South Korea’s experience of metropolitan area management and spearheading an international cooperation initiative in terms of three areas, namely ① reinforcement of existing institutions for global networking, ② establishment of a new institution dedicated to the metropolitan issues, and ③ operation of an integrated ODA program.