[Interview] Shin Dongheon, Mayor of Gwangju City, "Enhancing Urban Value through Dense Road Networks and Wellness Agriculture"

Expansion of 7 Road Networks Including Ring Roads, Gyeongancheon, and Gonjiamcheon by 2028
Promotion of Customized Healing Agriculture and Local Food Plans Such as School Farm, Kids Farm, and Healing Farm

Shin Dongheon, Mayor of Gwangju City, is explaining the plan to expand the local transportation network and the healing agriculture policy. Photo by Ra Youngcheol

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gwangju City, located in the eastern and southern metropolitan areas, is experiencing severe traffic congestion as population inflow increases alongside various development projects, given its status as a key traffic hub with frequent vehicle passage.

In particular, traffic volume is concentrated toward Seoul (30%) and Seongnam (40%) directions within the city. The section where National Routes 43 and 45 intersect, the increase in passing vehicles on National Route 3, and signal delays at 11 intersections are identified as chronic causes of traffic congestion.

Accordingly, Gwangju City has identified the construction of a ring road network and seven road networks along Gyeongancheon and Gonjiamcheon streams as fundamental solutions. The strategy aims to simultaneously achieve traffic volume dispersion, connection of disconnected bicycle paths, and secure safe pedestrian access by securing two lanes throughout the entire section.

The city completed the "feasibility study and basic plan establishment service" by the end of last year and plans to proceed with the project by 2028 based on the optimal plan considering project feasibility (B/C) and traffic volume for each section.

In an interview with this publication regarding traffic congestion relief measures and local road network construction projects, Gwangju Mayor Shin Dong-heon explained, "Expansion of existing roads was reviewed as less favorable than constructing a ring road network," adding, "The service level (LOS) improvement effect and traffic volume dispersion effect of the ring road network construction were found to be significant in the study."

Gwangju_Seongnam Local Road No. 338 Ibaejae Tunnel Section [Gwangju City]

According to Gwangju City, the ring road network project will cost a total of 906.5 billion KRW (total length 29.3 km), and the road construction along Gyeongancheon and Gonjiamcheon streams will require 133.6 billion KRW (total length 16.7 km).

The city plans to start with Section 4 (total length 6.83 km, Opo to Chowol) project, comprehensively considering the economic benefits and future traffic volume arising from the construction of six inner ring roads and one outer ring road.

Mayor Shin stated, "The bypass function of National Route 3 (Seongnam to Janghowon) and City/Province Route 23 Gyeongchung-daero is expected to improve accessibility between Opo, Chowol, and Gonjiam, as well as convenience in using the Sejong to Pocheon Expressway," explaining the background for prioritizing this section.

He added, "Considering the urgency of the project, design will commence as soon as the government's feasibility evaluation and administrative procedures are completed, and the remaining sections will be implemented step-by-step considering financial conditions."

The city also presented a plan to secure 1 trillion KRW in funding for the seven road construction projects, including the ring road network and roads along Gyeongancheon and Gonjiamcheon streams.

Mayor Shin said, "It is a huge budget for a local government with a population of 400,000, so we cannot avoid concerns," adding, "We are requesting national government support, public contributions and donations from urban development project implementers, and attracting private investment projects."

Operation of Eco-friendly Vegetable Garden Farm [Gwangju City]

Meanwhile, Gwangju City, a mixed urban-rural city, is also promoting 'wellness agriculture.' The policy focuses on customized healing agriculture such as school farms, kids farms, and healing farms aimed at alleviating and preventing physical and mental illnesses, along with a local food plan.

Agriculture is not merely about food production but is increasingly recognized as a content area aligned with consumer demands and social values.

Although introduced domestically, stable and specialized regional cases of agricultural wellness culture and business remain rare.

Mayor Shin emphasized differentiated healing and tourism linked to Gwangju’s rural environment and activities, which encompass culture, history, and natural scenery.

He stated, "Gwangju has been subject to eight overlapping regulations such as water supply protection zones and development restriction zones for over 40 years," but added, "It is rich in natural resources such as rivers, wetlands, and forests, with green environments distributed throughout the region."

He continued, "We are creating a ubiquitous agricultural environment where agriculture can be experienced in daily urban life, operating the public farm Dodam garden plots and supporting private farm operations."

Following the establishment of the Gwangju local food certification system, public direct sales markets, local food direct stores, and a Gwangju-type local food complex center are also under development.

Gwangju Paldang Lake [Photo by Ra Youngcheol]

In particular, habitats of the endangered level 2 wild animal species, the golden frog, along with rivers, wetlands, and forests, are raising expectations for the success of greenhouse gas reduction projects.

Mayor Shin expressed, "Gwangju City has advanced to the national finals as Gyeonggi Province’s representative in the Ministry of Environment-led 40 billion KRW carbon-neutral green city contest," and stated, "We plan to enhance the value of urban agriculture by establishing plans linking agricultural environment conservation and food plans."

The city plans to create added value for Gwangju by linking its cultural and natural resources if selected in the contest.

Additionally, 11 urban agriculture managers have been trained, and about 500 students have had opportunities to experience school farm education and garden farming.

Mayor Shin emphasized, "About 570 welfare facility users including the elderly, children, and disabled in the jurisdiction have utilized healing agriculture programs," adding, "Farming involves physical activity and sweating, which improves physical health and helps achieve psychological and emotional stability."