533 entries from 68 countries competed — district recognized in Living & Inclusion category
Gwanak Smart Senior Hub praised for integrating digital education, health and leisure services
Gwanak-gu's Smart Senior Hub project — designed to bring the benefits of digital technology to elderly residents as it becomes more embedded in daily life — has earned recognition on the world stage.
Gwanak-gu took home the project award in the Living & Inclusion category at the World Smart City Awards 2026, held Wednesday in Barcelona, Spain.
The World Smart City Awards is the official awards program of the Smart City Expo World Congress, one of the world's leading smart-city events. It recognizes outstanding policies and projects by cities, companies and research institutions around the world that have contributed to improving residents' quality of life.
The Living & Inclusion category evaluates projects that enhance citizens' quality of life and ensure that the benefits of technological innovation are accessible to all. Gwanak-gu has consistently expanded the program since opening its first Smart Senior Hub in 2022 and now operates 58 locations, integrating digital technology into the familiar setting of senior community centers to deliver education, health management and leisure services in one place.
This year's competition drew 533 entries from 68 countries. Gwanak-gu's Gwanak Smart Senior Hub project claimed the Living & Inclusion prize in the project category, demonstrating the strength of the district's smart welfare policy.
The district helps elderly residents incorporate new technology into their daily lives through hands-on education sessions covering AI and kiosk use. In addition, it has transformed senior centers into spaces for learning and social connection, working to broaden interaction among older residents and narrow the digital divide.
The award carries particular significance as international recognition of Gwanak-gu's efforts to weave digital technology into the daily lives and welfare services of its elderly population. The district plans to use the occasion to share the program's results at home and abroad, and to continuously improve its offerings to enhance convenience and user satisfaction.
"This award is the fruit of our efforts to ensure that elderly residents are not left behind by digital technology and can enjoy a convenient, healthy daily life," Gwanak-gu District Mayor Park Jun-hee said. "We will continue building a people-centered, warm smart city in Gwanak where every generation can share in the benefits of technological progress."
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