<기사제목>Forest Service Establishes Urban Forest Creation and Management System to "Enhance Quality of Urban Life"

A panoramic photo of the railway urban forest created in Pohang City. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Korea Forest Service is establishing and implementing a system for the creation and management of urban forests.

The Korea Forest Service announced on the 7th that it will promulgate and enforce the "Act on the Creation and Management of Urban Forests, etc." (hereinafter referred to as the Urban Forest Act) on the 10th of this month.

The Urban Forest Act was enacted in June last year with the purpose of establishing a system for the creation and management of urban forests, living forests, and street trees to provide air purification effects, mitigate urban heat island phenomena, and offer spaces for experience, learning, and rest to the public.

Prior to the enactment of the Urban Forest Act, the Korea Forest Service prepared enforcement ordinances and rules over the past year through consultations with related ministries, collection and review of stakeholder opinions.

The main contents of the enforcement ordinances and rules of the Urban Forest Act include the establishment of basic plans and creation and management plans for urban forests, function-specific management of urban forests, scope and methods of surveys and statistical management, criteria for designation of urban forest support centers, designation of certification bodies and certification standards and procedures for model urban forests, donation and acceptance of urban forests, and activation of public participation.

Based on this, the Korea Forest Service expects to optimize the positive functions of urban forests such as responding to climate change, preserving urban ecosystems, and providing public rest spaces, and to expand green spaces in urban living areas by increasing public participation demand in the creation and management of urban forests.

Kim Ju-yeol, head of the Urban Forest Landscape Division at the Korea Forest Service, said, "With the enforcement of the Urban Forest Act, we will ensure that all citizens can enjoy the various benefits of urban forests in their daily lives."