goyang Special City is focusing more on creating a healthy city where all citizens can enjoy a healthy daily life.
The city plans to actively reflect citizen health as an crucial issue in policy establishment and promote and continuously inspect 63 detailed projects in 72 departments in order to build a sustainable, healthy city through community participation and organic cooperation.
Goyang Special Mayor Lee Dong-hwan said, “Health is the most important factor that determines the quality of life, and by expanding parks, green spaces, and sports facilities as well as health support programs such as health promotion, mental healing, pregnancy and childbirth, and dementia prevention, we are promoting a healthy body and mind. “We will create an eco-friendly city where people can enjoy a happy daily life.”
A ‘healthy city’ refers to a city where participating community members cooperate with each other to improve the health and quality of life of citizens.
The World Health Organization presented the concept in 2004, and the government established a new provision related to healthy cities in the National health Promotion Act in December last year. The city plans to re-establish the basic plan based on the Goyang City Healthy City Basic Ordinance to build a sustainable healthy city, create a healthy environment, and respond to climate change. In addition, statistical data is prepared to promote healthy city policies through health impact assessment, development of implementation indicators, and community health surveys.
The city plans to reflect citizen health as a key issue in the policy establishment process and systematically manage project implementation standards, specific results, and sustainability to create a healthy city. 72 city departments promote 63 detailed projects in five major areas,including infrastructure construction,inter-sectoral cooperation,community participation,project planning and execution,and urban health information system. the city developed implementation indicators and an enhanced health impact assessment table to periodically check implementation, and established standards for considering health factors in projects.Next year, the city plans to revise the ordinance to reflect the law.
Support for citizen health promotion programs such as pregnancy and childbirth, dementia prevention, and support for the disabled
The city carries out various health promotion projects to help citizens enjoy a healthy daily life.
We support various health promotion programs such as infectious disease prevention, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, dementia prevention, physical activity activation, and customized health programs for each life cycle, and create a childbirth-friendly social atmosphere by providing information necessary for pregnancy, childbirth, and childrearing.
To cope with emergencies that may occur suddenly, we provide first aid training, such as CPR and the use of automatic external defibrillators, and provide citizen education for the correct use of medicines and prevention of misuse of medicines.
For an energetic and healthy daily life, the resident-participatory health club ‘Healthy Friends of Our neighborhood’ and the resident autonomy center’s cultural classes such as sports dance, Pilates, Korean dance, and dance sports are promoted. Health promotion projects for the disabled include the physical strength advancement program for adults with developmental disabilities, ‘Muscle Strength, Physical Strength,’ healing agriculture using plant resources, ‘Healing the Body, Healing the Mind,’ and ‘Complete Our Movement,’ a network for the developmentally disabled.
Based on various efforts to improve citizen health this year, the city public health center has implemented 11 areas, including dementia management, smoking cessation, prevention of alcohol harm, national cancer management, mental health, oriental medicine, disabled people, and integrated health promotion (nutrition, healthy lifestyle practice, obesity prevention). In this category, it received awards from major organizations such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Gyeonggi Province. In addition, last September, it was selected as an excellent local government in the evaluation of healthy city projects organized by the Korea Healthy Cities Council, and in the same month, it received the ‘Good Infrastructure Award’ in the field of healthy city development at the World Congress of the Western Pacific Healthy Cities Alliance.
Establishment of health infrastructure in daily life such as parks, urban forests, and sports facilities
In order to build a healthy living environment, we are also focusing on building eco-friendly green city infrastructure such as parks and green spaces.
We are actively promoting the creation of urban forests so that people can enjoy forests and trees in their daily lives in the city, and creating child safety and school forests in the area of Modang Elementary School in Ilsandong-gu and at Korea gyeongjin National School. Daeja-dong Ssamzie Park, Juyeop-dong pedestrian path environment improvement, Seongra Neighborhood Park, Jeongbalsan Mountain, and Angok Wetland children’s forest experience facilities and experiential education will also be implemented.
The long-term, unexecuted urban park creation project is also being continuously promoted with the goal of speedy completion of Tanhyeon Neighborhood Park (Phase 2) and Todang 1st Neighborhood Park.
last May, the city conducted a survey of Goyang citizens’ awareness of a healthy city, targeting 2,713 people, regarding citizens’ awareness of the city and its physical and environmental infrastructure. Respondents said that critically important matters for citizens’ health management are the creation of infrastructure such as urban forests, city parks, and sports facilities (44.1%), expansion of health programs (23.3%), high-quality medical services (14.2%), and response to climate change issues (15.8%). %) was chosen.
The city created information pictures (infographics) of various health indicators, such as local smoking rates, drinking rates, walking practices, and obesity rates, and posted them on the city website to share information with citizens. Next year, we plan to conduct a ‘healthy city creation feasibility study’ with the Goyang Research Institute to discuss development directions with experts and advance the healthy city plan.
Economy Queen Reporter Kim Hong-mi / Photo Goyang Special City
what are the key elements that define a “healthy city” according to urban health experts?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Health Urbanism Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to time.news, where we discuss the most pressing issues impacting global communities.Today,we’re joining forces with Dr. Jane Kim, an expert in urban health and sustainable city planning. We’re going to dive into the exciting initiatives being undertaken by Goyang Special City, which recently received the Excellence Award for their joint policy category at the Korea Healthy Cities Awards. Dr. Kim, thank you for being here!
Dr. Jane Kim (JK): Thank you for having me! I’m excited to talk about the innovative steps Goyang is taking towards building a healthier community.
TNE: To start off, can you explain what exactly defines a “healthy city” and how Goyang is embodying that concept?
JK: Certainly! A healthy city is one where community members collaborate to enhance their health and overall quality of life. The concept was introduced by the World Health Institution in 2004, and goyang is taking significant strides in this direction. They’re integrating health as a essential factor in policy-making, ensuring that projects across 72 departments are geared towards promoting sustainability and health.
TNE: That’s quite a extensive approach! Mayor Lee dong-hwan emphasized the importance of parks, green spaces, and sports facilities in fostering both physical and mental well-being. How do these elements contribute to a healthier lifestyle?
JK: Absolutely! Access to green spaces is critical for physical activity, social interaction, and mental relaxation. Parks provide not only a venue for exercise but also a community gathering space. This kind of environment encourages physical activity, reduces stress, and promotes a sense of belonging—key components of a healthy population.
TNE: Goyang is undertaking 63 detailed projects in five major areas. Can you tell us more about how they manage these projects and ensure their sustainability?
JK: Goyang’s approach to project implementation is very systematic. Firstly, they’ve established robust health impact assessments and implementation indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of health policies. By continuously monitoring these projects, they can adapt and improve based on community feedback and health data. This ensures that the initiatives remain relevant and sustainable over time.
TNE: It’s remarkable how community participation is integrated into this process.Could you elaborate on how Goyang encourages resident involvement in health promotion?
JK: Community participation is at the heart of Goyang’s healthy city initiative. They facilitate programs like the ’Healthy Friends of Our Neighborhood’ health clubs and cultural classes that not only improve physical health but also foster social ties. For instance, community-led sports dance and Pilates classes can be incredibly engaging, making health promotion a collective endeavor rather than a top-down approach.
TNE: Speaking of health initiatives, the city has outlined various programs to address specific health concerns, such as dementia prevention and support for pregnant women. How critical are these targeted programs in addressing public health needs?
JK: Such targeted programs are essential in addressing specific health challenges within the community. They allow for tailored solutions that consider the unique needs of different demographics. By providing resources and support for pregnancy, childbirth, and chronic disease prevention, Goyang is not just focusing on immediate health needs but also investing in the long-term well-being of its citizens.
TNE: It’s clear that Goyang is committed to fostering a healthier community. As we wrap up, what do you see as the future implications of their efforts for other cities looking to promote urban health?
JK: Goyang sets a compelling example for other cities nationwide and worldwide. Their model of integrating health into every facet of urban planning and community engagement can inspire other municipalities to adopt similar approaches. Additionally, addressing climate change and health together is a challenge we must face collectively, and Goyang’s proactive steps can guide other cities in achieving sustainable urban health.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Kim, for your insights on Goyang’s groundbreaking initiatives. It’s fascinating to see how urban settings can be transformed into healthier living spaces for all citizens.
JK: Thank you for the chance to discuss this significant topic! I’m hopeful that more cities will follow Goyang’s lead in creating healthier environments for their communities.
TNE: And that’s a wrap for today! Stay tuned for more engaging discussions on pressing topics impacting our world.