Asian Development Bank (ADB), in collaboration with LX Corporation, hosted a regional workshop in South Korea on 5–8 November 2024 in the context of the 2024 K-GEO Festa: Digital Earth Better for All. This workshop was a continuation of ADB’s initiative to support its Developing Member Countries (DMCs) in establishing robust national spatial data infrastructures (NSDI), aligning with ADB’s corporate strategy 2030. The event brought together approximately 30 participants, including representatives from six DMCs, ADB staff, and experts in NSDI, GIS, and earth observation technologies. 

 

The workshop facilitated knowledge exchange and capacity building by showcasing South Korea’s advanced geospatial data infrastructure. Participants had the opportunity to learn from Korean experiences and share their own, fostering regional collaboration and innovation. The focus areas of the workshop included national spatial data infrastructure, urban planning systems, cadastral management information systems, digital twins, and earth observation and satellite technologies. 

 

NSDI plays a crucial role in addressing urban development issues by providing a comprehensive framework for collecting, managing, and utilizing geospatial data. This aligns with ADB’s urban sector development strategy, which emphasizes making cities more livable, resilient, and sustainable. Key benefits include improved urban planning, enhanced land management, and effective disaster risk management. Additionally, NSDI and GIS technologies, including satellite data, are pivotal in addressing broader development issues including climate risk and resilience, sustainable development, and environmental monitoring. 

 

Over four days, the workshop featured focused sessions on each of the key topics, and a panel discussion on regional collaboration opportunities. Additionally, participants engaged in a field visit to observe practical demonstrations of South Korea’s geospatial technologies. The outcomes of the workshop included an enhanced understanding of geospatial data infrastructure among DMCs, identification of best practices and innovative solutions, strengthened regional cooperation, and the development of action plans for implementing geospatial technologies in urban planning and land management. 

 

This workshop represents a significant step towards building resilient and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. By leveraging South Korea’s expertise and fostering regional collaboration, ADB aims to empower its DMCs to harness the full potential of geospatial technologies, ultimately contributing to more effective and sustainable urban development.