By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger
I was very pleased with a recent Korean language article in San Diego Korean American Community Magazine. The 2 page spread highlights Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway, which was released in August. The book has been very well received by the Korean community, both in Korea and abroad. A high quality complimentary web version of the pictorial history book is available online. Click Here.
By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger
Songdo IBD continues to draw much attention. Its Green and eco-friendly technology interests many. For example this Joongang Ilbo article shares some of the city’s eco-friendly features.
The article notes among other cutting edge technologies the city’s automatic garbage gathering system.
Songdo International Business Complex has been chosen for the LEED-ND pilot project, an environmental grading system for buildings run by the U.S. Green Building Council. It is the highest environmental certification available for a building, and the entire city of 5.72 million square meters has been selected, reflecting its eco-friendly construction. Songdo is the largest single LEED-ND pilot project outside North America.
To receive the LEED-ND certificate, which no city has ever received before, Songdo International City will compete with other cities.
When graded according to the LEED system, Songdo International City hopes to rank at silver. For individual buildings in Songdo, the Northeast Asia Trade Tower, a landmark of the city, is also aiming for silver. If it succeeds in that goal, it will be the first and only building to do so in Korea.
The U-Life Complex building, which will serve as the Asian headquarters of Gale International Korea, is aiming for the highest level: platinum.
Meanwhile, Korea’s first eco friendly seawater “road” connecting the center of a city directly to the sea, is now under construction. The canal, to be built through Songdo’s 400,000-square-meter Central Park, will pump seawater into the city, a first for Korea.
The seawater will fill a 4.8-kilometer canal starting at the western water treatment plant in the business complex. Filling it up with seawater instead of fresh water minimizes the environmental disturbance due to the ultimate discharge into the Yellow Sea, while a double filtration system eliminates the need for chemical purifiers.
Automatic garbage collection will make use of underground conveyers inside pipelines, with automatic sorting, compression and dehydration – no garbage trucks required. If people follow the guidelines to dispose of their trash, the entire system can run cleanly and efficiently, contributing to a more pleasant city life.
The pipeline network will cost 390 billion won to build and will be finished by 2020, when it will be the largest of its kind in Korea.
By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger Songdo IBD continues to draw global attention. This recent Forbes magazine article points out the strong technology partnerships (CISCO, UT, and 3M) Gale International and the Songdo IBD project have attracted.
Very Smart Cities by Elizabeth Woyke, SONGDO, SOUTH KOREA – John B. Hynes III got the jitters when he first spied the mudflats of Songdo, South Korea, in June 2001. How would he transform the expanse of muck into a smart urban center with an integrated network of utility, transportation, real estate and recreation systems?
Eight years and 82 globe-crossing flights later, Hynes is far more assured about Songdo’s prospects. The man-made island, 40 miles southwest of Seoul, is now dotted with more than 100 buildings, including a 7,800-person apartment complex, a massive convention center and a Sheraton hotel.
Hynes’ employer, New York-based real estate developer Gale International, estimates the 1,500-acre city is 40% underway. Completion is slated for 2014. The cost: $35 billion, making it perhaps the world’s largest private real estate venture in history.
Songdo’s backers, which include Gale, Morgan Stanley and Korean steelmaker Posco, are betting the city can become a northeast Asia trade hub, linking nearby Shanghai and Tokyo. It will also be a model for a new Gale project, Meixi Lake, to be built in China’s Hunan Province starting later this year. Both cities will be “smart, sustainable and technologically ambitious,” says company Chairman Stanley C. Gale.
To conform to the U.S. Green Building Council’s energy-efficient LEED standards, Songdo buildings are incorporating special window glazing and ventilated double facades. Greywater and rain will be collected for irrigation and use in cooling towers. A network of underground pneumatic pipes will move solid waste, reducing the need for garbage trucks.
Songdo is also a petri dish for green transportation schemes. Water taxis already zip along the city’s seawater canals. Soon, a citywide bike rental service modeled on Paris’ Velibre system and a car-share system will be added. Buses powered by fuel-cells are expected within the next two to three years.
With its more than 40% green space, including a $220 million park, the city is designed to feel as airy as Vancouver. (Gale estimates Songdo will eventually house 65,000 residents and 300,000 workers.) Hynes is particularly proud of the park, which is dubbed Central Park after the New York City landmark. “Convincing the government and our partners that 100 acres of prime land should be reserved for a park was a tough sell,” he notes.
Meixi Lake will be helmed by the same architects–Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and Arup–and follow a similar philosophy, but with a 400-acre lake instead of a park.
Data networks developed by Cisco are key to both projects. The company plans to deploy video networking technology and energy management software tools city-wide and meld municipal systems, such as education, health care, transportation and hospitality into a common network. Wim Elfrink, Cisco’s chief globalization officer, says Cisco has identified 20 services that could be linked, but will start with six or seven. The company declined to specify its investment in Songdo, but says it has committed $2 billion to South Korean projects over the next three to five years.
Residents will be able to chat with their children’s teachers, consult doctors and apply for city permits and licenses via flat screen monitors in their apartments. Buildings will be intelligent enough to guide cars to available parking spots and queue up elevators as people approach. Hotels will recognize regular guests and automatically adjust room system settings.
The projects leverage Cisco’s earlier work with schools, stadiums and utility grids. “All our expertise is coming together in Songdo,” says Elfrink. Like Gale, Cisco views Songdo as a model it can replicate around the world. It plans to build a global center for “intelligent urbanization” in Songdo and work on 10 similar projects in places like India and Saudi Arabia over the next two years. “It’s an adjacent business we expect a lot from,” says Elfrink.
United Technologies and 3M are also providing technology to Songdo and Meixi Lake. 3M is making digital signs and “stick-on film” to be used throughout both cities. UTC is providing energy-saving elevators and water-cooled air conditioning units designed to cut energy use by 20%.
Despite all the talent involved, building Songdo has hardly been a smooth path. As a city designed and constructed with private financing by a foreign company, Songdo has few precedents. Tying together people’s home, work and civic lives online has required new regulations. “This is an entirely new industry,” says Cisco’s Elfrink. “We have new questions to answer.”
Permit delays pushed the opening of Songdo’s flagship commercial building, the $500 million Northeast Asia Trade Tower, from December to late summer 2010. Gale says the building’s mixed-use nature–a combination of retail, commercial and residential space that is unusual in Korea–was the main reason for the hold-up and that all necessary permits have now been obtained.
Gale also tussled with the Korean government over a rule that the majority of students in Songdo’s International School be non-Korean–a challenge when most current Songdo residents are Korean nationals. Gale says the issue has been resolved and the school will open this September for grades kindergarten through six.
Gale is currently focusing on luring corporations to Songdo under the theory that people follow jobs. The project will be a success, says Hynes, when Songdo is full and the areas around it are “buzzing.”
Hynes isn’t expecting to see a return on Gale’s billions for two to three years. First he has to finish covering the mudflats.
By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger
On Saturday August 22 PST (Sunday August 23 in Korea) from Cisco’s Irvine, CA offices, I shared an amazing experience with a team of new Korea-based International School Songdo ISS) educators. My work centers on training and coaching executives and teams on Korean culture, norms, history, and expectations. I was thrilled to use Cisco’s TP 3000 telepresence technology to provide the new ISS team with insights into Korea and Songdo IBD.The training session aligned with both Songdo IBD core value as an ubiquitous city, and ISS as a model for Classroom 2.0 education. (For more information of ISS teaching model see Headmaster Dr. Jorge Nelson’s December 2008 comments of Learning- centric teaching).
By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger
On my recent trip to Songdo IBD, I attended and participated in a number of events. The unveiling of the Gale International–POSCO E&C whales’ statue was memorable. It commemorates the strong partnership between NYC-based Gale International and Korea-based POSCO E & C. Among the Korean and American VIPs and officials on hand at the unveiling were a number of Gale International chairman Stan Gale’s family, friends, and long time business colleagues–many in Korea for the first time. Gale noted in his speech the importance of family and building strong long lasting ties–stressing his family’s long business roots. Moreover, Gale stressed the strong bond between America and Korea, and Gale International and its partner POSCO. Significantly, the statue’s whales showcase both Gale and POSCO maritime roots.
Some details… Huntington, NY… August 13, 2009… What is a familiar image to residents of Long Island’s North Shore—the Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty whale logo, is getting a whole new audience in the Far East.
A commemorative statue, “Cruising Together,” depicting two whales spanning the globe, has been installed in South Korea’s Songdo International Business District, an emerging urban center developed by Gale International and POSCO E & C. Stanley C. Gale, grandson of the founder of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, is the Chairman of Gale International.
The statue, which was installed in Songdo’s Central Park, is modeled after the first and current Daniel Gale Sotheby’s whale logos, and symbolizes the unique partnership and friendship Gale International and Posco E&C have achieved over the course of this project.
“The Gale family and its associated businesses, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty included, have a history of being at the forefront of new ideas and opportunities,” said Patricia Petersen, President and CEO of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty. “This latest accomplishment reflects and honors that tradition, and presents another yet another unique opportunity for real estate buyers and investors around the world to be aware of what Long Island, and Daniel Gale Sotheby’s, has to offer.”
The Songdo International Business District, roughly the size of downtown Boston, is being constructed on reclaimed land near Inchon, South Korea, an easy flight from China and other rapidly developing areas of Northeast Asia. Begun in 2002, Songdo represents a $35 billion city-within-a-city near Seoul’s international airport. It is one of the world’s largest commercial developments.
The statue, constructed of bronze, is 18 ft in length, 15.7 ft in width and 20 ft in height, and was made by Han Jeong-ho, Head of Soto Design Architect and Lee Young-song, a famous Korean artist.
Founded in 1922, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty consistently leads the nation in achieving one of the highest average sales prices in the country.
By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger
I had the opportunity to meet and spend time with the Cisco team at the Songdo IBD Grand Opening last week. I also was given a VIP tour of their pavilion at the Incheon Fair. Songdo IBD fits well with Cisco plans as noted in this PR. I’ll share more as it unfolds.
INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA — 08/11/09 — Cisco today announced its intention to expand its relationship with Gale International by bringing together complementary skills, capabilities and solutions to create smart, sustainable cities of the future. The collaboration combines the Cisco®Smart+Connected Communitiesvision with Gale International’s experience as a smart-city builder to provide a connected and sustainable living and working experience to communities worldwide. Cisco shares a common vision with Gale International that in cities of the future urban services will be delivered more innovatively, and cities will be managed more efficiently using technology that enables newer models of managed and hosted services within public-private partnerships.
Highlights / Key Facts:
Cisco is building on its collaboration with Gale International in Sondgo International Business District (IBD) and intends to jointly develop and deliver a robust, repeatable platform and transformational solution set that will help customers deploy Smart+Connected Communities solutions globally, including near-term opportunities in China.
In April 2009, Cisco signed a framework agreement with Gale International to establish the ‘Cisco Global Center for Smart+Connected Communities’ in Songdo IBD, a 1,500-acre new city being developed off the coast of Incheon by Gale International and POSCO E&C under the auspices of the Incheon Free Economic Authority. The same month, Cisco also announced it would work closely with Incheon Metropolitan City to develop network-enabled innovation and to support sustainable economic development in the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ).
The two companies intend to partner to help accelerate the development of such smart and connected cities, which will be designed to improve economic development, environmental sustainability, and the quality of life for citizens. They will also assemble a broad ecosystem of strategic design, development and technology partners to enable and drive network-enabled city-scale innovation.
Cisco and Gale International also today announced that they intend to collaborate on the Meixi Lake District project in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. The Meixi Lake District project will be the first city-scale development in China for Cisco and Gale International.
Focused on eight “tracks” within a city, Cisco’s Smart+Connected Communities initiative is designed to provide smart and connected solutions for real estate, safety and security, transportation, utilities, government, education, health care and sports.
“The vision for this new city is truly transformational, giving residents, businesses and government leaders within Songdo the opportunity to experience the city of the future — today. Our collaboration on Songdo IBD with Gale International is a living example of the globally replicable model we are building for Smart+Connected Communities. We are thrilled to be part of such a groundbreaking initiative, working closely with Gale International to develop new business models for managing and delivering urban services using the network as the platform for transforming cities and countries. We look forward to future visionary projects like this one, such as the efforts currently underway in Meixi Lake District in China.”
Stan Gale, chairman of Gale International
“We are globalizing the real estate industry by identifying and deploying integrated solutions in a unique replicable model. City-scale development must fit the needs of the visionary communities daring to undertake them. The city of Incheon is to be commended for their vision. More than a decade ago, they believed that Songdo IBD could deliver a better quality of life and deliver economic benefit to the people of Korea. We are excited about this vision and look forward to working closely with IFEZ, Cisco, and other partners to make Songdo IBD and IFEZ the successful model for sustainable cities of the future. Similarly, our next project, China’s Meixi Lake development, seeks to provide an unparalleled quality of life for its inhabitants. Gale International and Cisco, working with other global partners, such as UTC and 3M, intend to deliver sustainable, smart cities of the future that will allow those who live and work there to thrive for generations to come.”
The prospect of the partnership was lauded by Mayor Xie Jianhui, vice mayor of Changsha, Hunan Province
“The Meixi Lake project is central to the success of the West Changsha Pioneer Zone. Our vision for the Meixi Lake District is to create a harmonious society that integrates innovative technology with environmental and sustainable design. The involvement of Gale International, a world-class city-scale developer, and Cisco, a leader in intelligent systems, will ensure that the Meixi Lake District will become a world-class city right here in Changsha, the heart of Hunan Province.”
Incheon, South Korea August 11, 2009 The global launch of the pictorial history Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway took place on Thursday August 6 at Incheon Korea’s historic Chemulpo Club. Hosted by author Don Southerton and sponsored by Gale International, the event was attended by notables including Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, Gale International chairman Stan Gale, and former Ambassador Donald Gregg. Also attending were local officials, Korean and American guests, and the media.
Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway documents 125 years of life in the port area through first hand accounts and historic photographs. Fittingly, the book’s launch was held at the foreign settlement’s former gentleman’s club, which was built in1901.
After warm opening remarks by Stan Gale, author Southerton shared his inspiration for writing the book—one built on collaboration. In fact, Southerton noted the early trade settlement and surroundings were home to Europeans, Americans, Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans. Likewise, the book was a collaboration of Korean and American teams. Building on this theme Southerton pointed out that today’s nearby Songdo International Business District (IBD) was, too, a diverse international collaboration of firms including Gale International, POSCO E&C, Kohn Pederson Fox, and most recently CISCO.
Joining Southerton on the podium, Mayor Ahn Sang-soo was presented with a copy of the book. The mayor then shared his vision for the city becoming one of the world’s top ten cities.
Following the book presentation, Southerton, conducted a tour for the American VIPs of Jayu Park and the historic Chinatown district.
Plans call for the book to be donated to Korea-focused organizations and universities in the U.S. and Korea. A full schedule of book promotion events is also planned.
About the Author Don Southerton has held a life-long interest in Korea and its rich culture. His previous books center on culture, entrepreneurialism, and early U.S.-Korean business ventures. Southerton extensively writes and comments on modern Korean business culture and its impact on global organizations. His firm, Bridging Culture Worldwide, provides consulting and training to Korea-based global business.
About Gale International Gale International is a premier international real estate investment and development company with headquarters in New York and offices in Boston; Irvine, California; Seoul and Songdo, South Korea.
Breaking News, Songdo IBD Korea The August 6, 2009 Korea launch of Chemulpo to Songdo IBD was attended by a huge crowd including including Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, Stan Gale- Chairman Gale International, former Ambassador Donald Gregg, local officials, Korean and American VIP guests, and media.
The event took place in the historic former Chemulpo Club, a gentleman’s club built in 1901. Following the book presentation, author Don Southerton, conducted a tour for the American VIPs of Jayu Park and the historic Chinatown district.
던 서들턴씨가 최근 자신이 발간한 책 ‘제물포에서 송도 국제무역지구(IBD)로; 대한민국의 국제적 관문’에 대해 설명하고 있다.
Korea Daily ( Jongang Ilbo) recently interviewed author Don Southerton. The Korea language newspaper shared Southerton’s intent for the book which covers 125 years of history for the port of Incheon with Songdo IBD and Gale International, the latest chapter in Korea’s long international development. Souttherton points out that like today the first westerners brought with them technology, commerce, new economic opportunity, and humanitarianism. The community also represents collaboration of Koreans and foreigners.
벽안의 미국인 사업가가 인천에 관한 의미있는 역사책을 발간해 화제다.
동서양 문화 교류를 자처하는 기업 ‘브리징 컬쳐’(Bridging Culture Worldwide)를 경영하는 사업가이자 역사가인 던 서들턴(56·SD거주)씨가 최근 인천의 125년 변천사를 담은 책 ‘제물포에서 송도 국제무역지구(IBD)로; 대한민국의 국제적 관문’을 펴냈다.
이 책 속에는 역사적으로 의미가 깊은 미공개 사진자료 70여장과 함께 다양한 계층의 서양인들의 눈에 비친 항구도시 인천의 모습이 충실히 담겨있다. 또한 125년전에 이미 중국과 일본은 물론 미,영,독,러,프랑스 외 유럽의 각 나라로 부터 몰려든 상인이나 관료, 선교사들이 활발한 활동을 벌이며 명실공히 국제도시의 면모를 자랑하던 인천(당시 제물포)의 모습을 각종 문헌 속의 증언과 자료를 바탕으로 상세히 기록했다.
또한 결론적으로 이책은 1880년대 서방에 개항한 이후 부터 국제도시의 면모를 착실히 다져온 인천 송도가 세계를 향해 무한한 성장 가능성을 갖고 있다고 역설하고 있다.
한편 전문가들은 이 책이 지금까지 출판된 어떤 자료보다도 인천을 역사적으로 정확히 재조명하고 있다는 평가다.
서들턴 씨는 이 책의 발간 동기에 대해 “수년간 사업차 양국을 오가며 송도가 국제도시로 선정된 이유가 궁금했다”며 “본격적으로 자료를 찾아보니 인천 역사의 수많은 부분이 일본에 의해 왜곡돼 있는 것을 발견하고 객관적인 시각을 가진 역사가로서 제대로 한번 알리고 싶었다”고 밝혔다. 때마침 송도국제도시 개발 프로젝트를 진행 중인 게일 인터내셔널(Gale International)사로 부터 적극적인 지원을 받아 1년동안 땀흘린 끝에 책을 완성한 것.
오는 6일(한국시간) 송도국제도시 오프닝 행사의 일환으로 ‘출판 기념회 및 리셉션’을 통해 최초로 공개될 이 책은 한글과 영어로 동시 표기돼 한국의 역사를 바로잡고 널리 알리는 데에도 크게 기여할 전망이다.
Don Southerton announces the release of a new pictorial history titled Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway. The book showcases 125 years of commerce, trade, and interaction in the nation’s first foreign trade hub, Incheon. The bilingual work is author Don Southerton’s latest writing on Korea and weaves key historic events with photographs and first-hand accounts, past and present.
Located on the western coast of Korea, Incheon has played a significant role in the history of the region since the late 19th century. Once called Chemulpo, as Korea opened its borders to the West, the backwater port quickly became home to a diverse group of foreign merchants, traders, entrepreneurs, and sojourners.
A century later, under the direction of Mayor Ahn Sang-soo and the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, the city’s waterfront region is again becoming an international community and center for business and trade. The book also highlights Songdo IBD, a 10-year project being developed by Gale International and POSCO E&C. The project seeks to make South Korea the preeminent business hub of East Asia.
Southerton notes, “With the world turning its attention to the Incheon Global Fair and Festival and the Grand Opening of Songdo International Business District sharing the port’s rich heritage is timely.”
In researching the book, the author explains, “Photographs from archives in Korea and the U.S. have been included, along with engaging stories about daily life in the port town from the past 125 years. To best showcase the port’s early progress, many of the photographs have been digitally reproduced from the original plates shot over 100 years ago.”
Finally, Southerton points out that the book shares the role of the foreign community in humanitarian efforts and the introduction of new technologies and innovations.
On August 6, 2009, a formal release will take place at the former Chemulpo Club in Incheon, Soon after, media events will follow in the U. S.
The global release of Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway is sponsored by Gale International.
About the Author Don Southerton has held a life-long interest in Korea and its rich culture. His previous books center on culture, entrepreneurialism, and early U.S.-Korean business ventures. Southerton also extensively writes and comments on modern Korean business culture and its impact on global organizations. His firm, Bridging Culture Worldwide, provides consulting and training to Korea-based global business.
Media preview of the book and select photographs are available by contacting the author.
Contacts For additional information and author interviews.
