Naju-si Selected as Final Site for 'Bitgaram Innovation City Life SOC Complex Center'

Perspective view of Bitgaram Innovation City Life SOC Complex Center (subject to change according to architectural design) Photo by Jeonnam Naju City provided

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Kang In-gyu) announced on the 21st that the ‘Bitgaram Innovation City Living SOC Complex Center Construction’ project was finally selected for the 2021 Living SOC Complex Project hosted by the Office for Government Policy Coordination’s Living SOC Promotion Team, securing 7.9 billion KRW in national funding.

‘Living SOC’ (Social Overhead Capital) refers to essential infrastructure needed in daily life, including various facilities that enhance citizens’ everyday convenience and safety such as childcare, welfare, medical care, culture, sports, and parks.

The Living SOC Complex Project means a project that constructs these facilities as single or linked structures on one site.

Riding on the project selection, the city plans to invest a total of 15.8 billion KRW including national funds to build a children (family)-specialized ‘Living SOC Complex Center’ by 2023 on city-owned land of 1,325㎡ (total floor area 6,300㎡) at Bitgaram-dong 383 (next to LH Complex 2 Apartments).

The center will be a total of 5 floors (4 above ground, 1 underground), housing the ‘Local Food Coexistence Food Market’ (1st floor) where fresh farm produce can be purchased, as well as a ‘Children’s Theme Library,’ ‘Childcare Support Facilities,’ ‘Together Care Center,’ and ‘Agricultural Experience Center’ on floors 2 to 4.

The construction of the center is expected to be welcome news for young parents in the innovation city who have been concerned about the lack of cultural and experiential community facilities necessary for child care, providing greater convenience for child care.

The proportion of children aged 12 and under among the total population living in the innovation city is 22.7%, which is twice the national average of 11%.

Additionally, the proportion of parents aged 30 to 44 is 33.7% overall, exceeding the national average of 21%.

Mayor Kang In-gyu said, “Through the final selection of the Innovation City SOC Complex Center construction project, we will be able to meet the welfare and cultural needs of residents raising young children in the innovation city,” adding, “We will continue to strive to discover new Living SOC projects to enhance citizens’ everyday convenience and improve urban living conditions.”