[Suncheon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu of Suncheon City announced that in the 8th term of the elected government, Suncheon City will "relaunch as a creative city and a standard model city that presents the criteria and direction of future cities, with the administrative goal and motto of 'Korea's Ecological Capital, First-Class Suncheon.'"
Mayor Noh stated in a briefing with the press on the 4th that since he was given the opportunity to present the vision of 'Korea's Ecological Capital,' he will make 'Korea's Ecological Capital' not just a declarative existence in words but a city called 'First-Class Suncheon.'
He emphasized, "Being first-class is not about imitation but creation," adding, "Among countless cities, we will achieve a unique and unparalleled first-class city, not the number one, but a city created with dignified citizens and trusted administration together with 290,000 citizens."
He continued, "The first step to relaunch as a first-class city is the 'successful hosting of the Garden Expo,' and based on the philosophy of declaring the ecological capital and the experience and wisdom of planning, attracting, and creating the first expo, we will successfully lead the 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo."
He also declared revitalization of the local economy through carbon neutrality.
Mayor Noh said, "Through a major shift in eco-friendly awareness, we will create new jobs related to carbon neutrality and nurture professional manpower," emphasizing, "Waste comprehensive treatment facilities should not threaten citizens' lives, so we will reconsider appropriate sites considering the operation of carbon capture facilities and combined heat and power plants and the wide-area development of the eastern region."
He also presented plans for revitalizing the old downtown area.
He said, "We will connect the aging Jungang Market with Okcheon to create an open-air cafe street, and make the Chamselije Street in the old downtown a cultural street connected with Okcheon and Nammunteo Plaza, turning it into a new landmark of Suncheon," and added, "We will attract the complex cultural space Starfield to the new residential district of Shindae, Suncheon's representative new town."
Furthermore, he said, "Now is the era where companies integrate regions," and stated that by attracting a consumer base of one million people encompassing the eastern region of Jeollanam-do and the western region of Gyeongsangnam-do, Suncheon will solidify its role as the central city of the South Sea and South Central region and as a regional hub city.
He plans to avoid indiscriminate housing construction and development on the outskirts of the city, reset spaces to be emptied and protected, and create efficient and future-oriented urban spaces, while expanding opportunities for cultural enjoyment so that citizens can lead healthy lives through culture, arts, and sports.
To this end, he plans to create a large-scale sports park to promote citizens' health and develop it as a winter training hub, thereby driving regional economic revitalization.
To overcome the population cliff and local extinction era, he also presented a vision of an integrated mega-city specializing in functions through cooperation with neighboring cities.
He emphasized that through this, they will jointly solve common issues such as wide-area waste treatment and attracting university hospitals.
Mayor Noh said, "We will relaunch as a first-class city, Suncheon, creating the standard of Korea based on the dignity of first-class citizens and trusted administration," and added, "Let us all move together toward 'Korea's Ecological Capital, First-Class Suncheon,' which will revive Suncheon's future."
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