Green Remodeling Project Kicks Off This Year... Representative Projects Selected by Province and Landmark Expectations

Participation from 203 Local Governments Nationwide and 16 Public Institutions... A Total of 1,645 Sites in Progress

[Asia Economy Reporter Kangwook Cho] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 29th that it plans to select this year's signature projects for the 'Public Building Green Remodeling Project,' a representative task of the Korean New Deal, in collaboration with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and the Korea Infrastructure Safety & Technology Corporation, designated as Green Remodeling Centers, to actively promote the spread of green remodeling.

The public building green remodeling project is a flagship initiative of the Korean New Deal promoted by the government. Over two years from last year to this year, a total of 450 billion KRW in national funds have been invested to install high-performance windows and facilities, solar power, and more, improving the energy performance and indoor air quality of public buildings such as national and public daycare centers, health centers, and medical facilities.

As of the end of this month, 826 public building green remodeling projects are underway this year. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to select buildings with potential in terms of project performance as 'Public Building Green Remodeling Signature Projects' next month through recommendations from each city and province and separate evaluations.

The Ministry, local governments, and Green Remodeling Centers plan to develop the signature projects into regional green remodeling landmarks by applying high-quality designs considering performance and aesthetics, as well as leading energy-saving and indoor environment improvement technologies. For example, among the 32 signature projects last year, the 'Sejong Ssangryu Health Clinic' achieved nearly 70% energy savings through external insulation, low-E double glazing, and solar power installation. Additionally, by installing a heat recovery ventilation system, it provided a more comfortable treatment environment, receiving great acclaim from local residents.

Alongside this, the Ministry is conducting comprehensive evaluations including performance improvement effects before and after green remodeling construction, centered on the regional hub green remodeling platform, a public-private consultative body. The regional hub green remodeling platform is a cooperative system involving universities and research institutes in five regional zones to expand the base of green remodeling.

Analysis of 76 sites completed early last year showed energy usage reductions of up to 88%, with an average of 33.6%. Upon project completion, the effect was equivalent to forest creation over an area of 140 soccer fields (pine trees).

Furthermore, a survey of local government officials and building users (133 people) revealed high life satisfaction (92%) due to energy savings and indoor environment improvements (such as enhanced insulation, high-performance windows, and high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment), along with a confirmed need to expand support targets (elderly welfare facilities 49%, office facilities 26%, educational and research facilities 10%, community support facilities 8%).

In addition, the Ministry is operating the 'Youth Digital Job Project in the Green Remodeling Field' and the 'Green Remodeling Internship' program in collaboration with related ministries to create jobs for young talents in the green remodeling sector and establish a sustainable foundation for its expansion.

Junghee Eom, Director of Building Policy at the Ministry, stated, "The public building green remodeling project, launched as part of the Korean New Deal, is a cornerstone to respond to global environmental and policy changes such as the building sector's 2030 national greenhouse gas reduction target and carbon neutrality by 2050." She added, "We plan to actively support the full-scale spread of green remodeling and green buildings through various support methods, including mandatory application of green remodeling in the public sector after 2025 and expansion of interest support projects for private building green remodeling."