A strategic engagement with South Korean universities is one of the ways the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is strengthening its global alliances to further its Mumbai 3.0 vision. When a distinguished South Korean delegation met with MMRDA officials at the India Global Forum 2025, which was hosted at the Jio World Centre, to discuss collaboration in smart infrastructure, urban mobility, and innovation-led development, the initiative took a major step forward.
Led by MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, the meeting focused on fostering collaborative frameworks to accelerate Mumbai’s transformation into a future-ready, tech-driven, and globally competitive urban ecosystem. The delegation included Sang-ho Lee, Director of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ); Byeong-il Woo, Director of KOTRA Mumbai; Young-sup Joo, Distinguished Professor at Seoul National University and former Minister of SMEs and Startups; Jaewon Peter Chun, Chairman of the World Smart Cities Forum (WSCF); Grant Guk-hwan Cho, Vice Chairman of Kanavi Mobility and former Samsung Electronics executive; and James Jung-Beck Kim, Policy Special Advisor at IFEZ.
Central to the discussion was the intent to replicate successful global models of development, especially the Incheon Free Economic Zone’s transformation into a $100 billion smart urban economy. The collaboration aims to attract foreign direct investment into key sectors such as transit hubs, logistics, fintech innovation zones, and affordable housing clusters, leveraging investor networks facilitated by IFEZ and KOTRA. Korean expertise will also guide the integration of AI-powered urban management systems, green mobility infrastructure, smart housing models, and data governance protocols into Mumbai’s urban planning.
Under the WSCF’s Twin Cities programme, MMRDA and its Korean counterparts will also initiate joint pilot projects, capacity-building efforts, and sustainability benchmarking to refine smart city strategies. These partnerships align with upcoming mega-projects under Mumbai 3.0, including transit-oriented development (TOD) zones, mixed-use urban townships, and next-generation technology parks.
Areas like data centres, cleantech clusters, industrial corridors, and inclusive housing were seen by officials as having a significant impact on international investment and innovation. MMRDA’s dedication to creating an inclusive, ecologically sustainable, and economically resilient urban future is reflected in the partnership.
Commenting on the development, Sanjay Mukherjee said, “Mumbai is poised for its next transformation as a global urban hub — Mumbai 3.0. The collaboration with IFEZ, KOTRA, and WSCF offers us access to world-class expertise in smart governance, high-tech infrastructure, and global investment ecosystems. This partnership will help catalyse inclusive growth, create high-value jobs, and elevate the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s competitiveness on the global stage.”
Source: Swarajya
