Uijeongbu City (Mayor Kim Dong-geun) has taken one more step toward becoming a ‘city that changes my life’ with the Ministry of Public Administration and Security’s comprehensive development plan for the area surrounding the US military return grant land being finalized.
The city announced on the 6th that it has secured additional national funds following the final confirmation of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security’s ‘Comprehensive plan for development of areas surrounding USFK-donated areas (hereinafter referred to as comprehensive plan)’.
The confirmation of this comprehensive plan is the final result of the comprehensive plan change (draft) submitted by the city to the Ministry of Public Administration and Security last year. First, on August 30 of last year, the first confirmation of the project with no increase or decrease in national funding was made.
The main project reflected in the first round is to change ‘Camp Jackson Neighborhood Park (Arts) Construction’ to ‘Camp Jackson Urban Development Project’. The Camp Jackson site can now be used as a site for high-tech industries and self-sufficiency facilities, giving momentum to attracting companies to expand self-sufficiency in Uijeongbu City.
In addition, with this second (final) confirmation, the national budget for the ‘Camp Red Cloud Urban Planning Road (Gwangro Line 3-2) Land Purchase’ project, which was previously reflected, was increased from KRW 7.7 billion to KRW 21.9 billion, securing an additional national budget of KRW 14.2 billion. I did it. The new project ‘Minrak-Gosan Connecting Road Construction Project’ was also reflected, securing a large-scale national budget of 27.8 billion won.
The expansion of Camp Red Cloud’s urban planning road (Gwangro Line 3-2) is a wish of nearby residents, and the road from the sports complex, where chronic traffic congestion is severe, to the west will be expanded from 2 lanes to 8 lanes. In order to resolve the inconvenience to residents, the city plans to expedite the opening of the road starting with detailed design within next year.
The Minrak-Gosan connecting road project was also designed to improve transportation inconveniences for residents in the Gosan district. A total of 55.6 billion won (27.8 billion won in government funds, 27.8 billion won in city funds) will be invested to improve accessibility, resolve traffic inconveniences, promote balanced regional development, and strengthen urban competitiveness.
The city has been working hard to reflect the relevant projects in this comprehensive plan by frequently communicating with the Ministry of Public Administration and Security through the department in charge and conveying opinions. In particular, last August, Vice Mayor Park Seong-nam visited key government budget executives and actively requested government support, and in September, he visited the Balanced Development Promotion Division of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and strongly expressed the need to reflect the comprehensive development plan for major projects.
Mayor Kim Dong-geun said, “I am grateful to the central government officials who worked hard to ensure that national expenses were reflected. “This is an excellent achievement achieved through the efforts of the vice mayor and other responsible departments,” he said. “With the confirmation of this comprehensive plan, we have taken one step further in creating ‘Uijeongbu City that changes my life’ by not only resolving residents’ inconveniences but also creating favorable conditions for businesses to enter.” “We have moved on,” he said.
Meanwhile, Uijeongbu City (Mayor Kim Dong-geun) announced on the 6th that it will hold a special record storage (archive) exhibition at the ’Uijeongbu Memory Repository’ with the theme of the story of Uijeongbu during the Joseon Dynasty.
Uijeongbu Memory Repository is a record storage (archive) space for collecting, preserving, and utilizing data on modern and contemporary history of Uijeongbu. It opened in December last year on the site of the former Veterans Club, located across from the Heungseon-dong Administrative Welfare Center, and is being operated by the Uijeongbu Cultural Center.
The second exhibition, ‘500 Years of Uijeongbu’, held in the special exhibition room of the Uijeongbu Memory Repository, contains the story of Uijeongbu during the Joseon Dynasty as recorded through the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. You can also see traces of the Joseon Dynasty that still remain with us today.
The Uijeongbu Memory Repository is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM, and for groups of 10 or more, reservations can be made by phone (031-853-8374).
A city official said, “We also run various educational programs for children and families on Saturdays, so we recommend visiting as a family outing in the fall.”
Economy Queen Reporter Kim Hong-mi / Photo Uijeongbu City
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Urban Development Expert
Editor: Good day, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Jisoo Park, an expert in urban development and planning. We’re here to discuss Uijeongbu City’s recent announcement about its comprehensive development plan. Dr. Park, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Jisoo Park: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Editor: Uijeongbu City has recently finalized its comprehensive development plan for areas surrounding US military return grant land. Can you shed light on why this is a significant step for the city?
Dr. Park: Absolutely. This comprehensive development plan not only marks a pivotal moment for Uijeongbu but also symbolizes a broader vision for urban regeneration. The focus is on transforming areas once occupied by military installations into spaces that foster innovation and business growth. This reflects a shift towards a more sustainable and economically vibrant urban environment.
Editor: The city secured a substantial national budget increase, particularly for the Camp Red Cloud Urban Planning Road project. How will this investment affect the residents?
Dr. Park: The expansion from a two-lane to an eight-lane road is crucial, especially given the chronic traffic congestion in that area. It will improve accessibility for residents and facilitate smoother transportation to and from the sports complex. This kind of infrastructure investment not only alleviates immediate inconveniences but also enhances the overall quality of life for those in the community.
Editor: One of the major highlights is the ‘Minrak-Gosan Connecting Road Construction Project’. Can you explain the importance of this initiative in terms of regional development?
Dr. Park: The Minrak-Gosan project will play a vital role in promoting balanced regional development. By investing in these kinds of infrastructure projects, the city can enhance accessibility, which in turn attracts businesses and supports local economies. This is essential for a holistic urban strategy that prevents congestion and ensures that all areas of the city thrive equally.
Editor: Mayor Kim Dong-geun expressed gratitude for the central government’s support. What does this collaboration between local and central authorities indicate about governance in South Korea?
Dr. Park: It demonstrates a proactive approach to governance. Such collaboration is crucial for effective urban planning, as it allows local governments to secure necessary funding and implement projects that directly benefit residents. It reflects a model of governance that prioritizes community needs while working in tandem with national goals.
Editor: With the comprehensive plan now approved, what should residents of Uijeongbu expect in the coming years?
Dr. Park: Residents can look forward to significant improvements in their daily lives—better roads, reduced traffic congestion, and an enhanced urban environment. Additionally, the transformation of former military sites into high-tech industrial zones will likely create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth. It’s an exciting time for Uijeongbu!
Editor: It certainly sounds promising! Lastly, what are some broader lessons that other cities can learn from Uijeongbu’s approach?
Dr. Park: Uijeongbu’s case illustrates the importance of a clear vision and strong community engagement in urban development. By actively communicating with residents and focusing on their needs, the city not only improves living conditions but also fosters a sense of community pride. Other cities can take note of the strategic partnership between local and national government, which can serve as a model for successful urban redevelopment efforts.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Park, for sharing your insights on Uijeongbu’s ambitious plans. Your expertise adds valuable context to this important development.
Dr. Park: It was my pleasure! I look forward to seeing how Uijeongbu evolves in the coming years. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss it.
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. We’ll keep you updated as Uijeongbu City embarks on this transformative journey. Stay connected with Time.news for more insights on urban development and planning!