Seoul City to Invest 12.7 Billion Won Next Year to Improve Living Environment in Greenbelt Areas

This Year: 8 Projects in 5 Autonomous Districts → Next Year: Expansion to 10 Projects in 8 Districts

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] On the 20th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will secure 6 billion KRW in national funds and add 6.7 billion KRW in local funds next year to promote a resident support project totaling 12.7 billion KRW to improve the living environment of residents in the development-restricted areas.

This amount is an increase of 4.9 billion KRW compared to this year's total project budget of 7.8 billion KRW.

The project consists of 10 initiatives across 8 autonomous districts, including the creation of a parking lot in the Pyeongchang Residential District in Jongno-gu, construction of the Musugol Green Welfare Center in Dobong-gu, development of the Suraksan Sports Healing Town (construction of a community sports facility at 125 Sangye-dong) in Nowon-gu, establishment of a Hinoki Cypress Healing Forest in Eunpyeong-gu, ecological restoration and creation of an ecological adventure forest at Gaehwasan Neighborhood Park in Gangseo-gu, expansion of the Green Arboretum and creation of Hang-dong Urban Agriculture Park in Guro-gu, construction of a living sports park at the foot of Hoamsan in Geumcheon-gu, and development of Amsa Historical Park and Goduksan Leisure Green Space in Gangdong-gu.

The development-restricted areas in Seoul cover a total of 149.13 km² across 19 of the 25 districts, excluding Yongsan, Seongdong, Dongdaemun, Yeongdeungpo, Dongjak, and Jung-gu, accounting for 24.64% of Seoul's administrative area. Approximately 17,000 residents live there.

The city is promoting projects by supplementing national and local funds received from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to expand living infrastructure and improve environmental culture for residents whose living conditions have deteriorated due to strict regulations in the development-restricted areas.

Earlier this year, five autonomous districts are carrying out eight projects, including the creation of the Jindallae Village Community Forest Park in Gangbuk-gu, landscape maintenance around the traditional temples of Bukhansan in Eunpyeong-gu, creation of a small park in Yeonji Village, Cheonwang-dong, and the construction of a trail at the foot of Gaewoongsan in Guro-gu, ecological park development at Siheung Valley in Geumcheon-gu, and expansion work of Amsa Historical Park and Jinwhangdo in Gangdong-gu.