Gyeonggi-do to Create 'Restful Urban Spaces' in 55 Locations Across 28 Cities and Counties

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will create 'urban spaces for rest' in 55 locations across 28 cities and counties within the province.

On the 31st, Gyeonggi Province announced that it has selected 55 sites in 28 cities and counties as pilot project locations to create 'urban spaces for rest' so that residents can enjoy leisure activities outdoors in the post-COVID-19 era.

The selected pilot project sites include two projects each in 27 cities and counties such as Suwon, Goyang, Yongin, Seongnam, Bucheon, Hwaseong, and Ansan, and one project in Hanam.

By type, the sites include ▲ 21 parks such as Osan City's Goindol History Park ▲ 15 road spaces such as Gwangmyeong City's Cheolsan Rodeo Street ▲ 12 public open spaces such as near Sangdong Station in Bucheon City ▲ 7 river spaces such as the Chidongcheon area in Hwaseong City.

These locations will be equipped with benches, pavilions, stone chairs, and sunbeds (bed-type chairs) to create comfortable resting spaces for residents.

The 'Creation of Urban Spaces for Rest' is a key initiative by the province to address the lack of spaces for rest and communication in daily life.

Benches will be installed in places where residents feel the need and want them, including parks, rivers, apartment complexes, areas dense with academies, waiting areas for school vehicles, and around bus stops.

To this end, 950 recommendations were received from residents during the application period from January to February. Among the finally selected pilot project sites, 14 locations recommended by residents were included.

Reflecting the recent trend of leisure preferences shifting to open spaces following the spread of COVID-19 in enclosed indoor spaces, the province plans to promptly provide a total of 2.6 billion KRW in special adjustment grants to complete the projects within this year.

Additionally, under the concept of 'creating spaces for everyone,' a brand called 'Pyeongsang'?derived from the first and last letters of 'a fair world'?will be created and attached to the facilities related to this project.

Son Im-seong, Director of the Provincial Urban Policy Office, stated, "In the post-COVID-19 era, the demand from residents for universal 'rest' spaces in daily life is expected to increase further. We will steadily promote the 'A Fair World - Gyeonggi Pyeongsang' policy that enables rest for all residents and continue efforts to expand universal resting spaces close to residents' daily lives."