[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Yoon Byung-tae, mayor of Naju, recently inspected the progress and discussed future plans and improvement measures at major urban regeneration project sites in Geumcheon-myeon, Juklim-dong, and the Eupseong area.
According to the city on the 10th, Mayor Yoon visited the construction site of the Ihwa Eoullim Center in Geumcheon-myeon, the Juklim-dong field support center, and the Naju Eupseong Core Center site on the 8th to brainstorm with residents and stakeholders for the efficient promotion of the old downtown urban regeneration project.
After touring the project sites, Mayor Yoon emphasized that the revitalization projects of the old downtown, such as historical and cultural restoration and urban regeneration, which are being promoted as individual projects, should be pursued from an integrated perspective through mutual linkage.
Visiting the construction site of the Ihwa Eoullim Center in Geumcheon-myeon, Mayor Yoon said, “The establishment of the center should focus on revitalizing the underdeveloped Geumcheon area and serving practical functions for the resident community, requiring active communication and opinion gathering with residents.”
The city plans to demolish the aging Sambo Apartment complex located in Ogang-ri, Geumcheon-myeon, as a core urban regeneration project, and build a four-story resident cultural complex facility called the ‘Ihwa Eoullim Center’ on the 6,911㎡ site by next year.
He then moved to the Juklim-dong field support center to listen to the progress and plans of 11 projects, including the ‘Student Movement Road Historical and Cultural Street Development.’
Mayor Yoon said, “Urban regeneration must be carefully pursued by examining whether it genuinely helps improve residents’ quality of life, attracts tourists, and revitalizes the local economy, considering the facility’s purpose and sustainability,” urging in-depth review of each project’s scale, necessity, and efficient budget execution.
At the construction site of the ‘Cultural Arts Communication Creation Center’ and ‘Guesthouse,’ he meticulously checked the progress rate, internal facilities, operating entities, utilization plans, and activation strategies.
At the ‘Naju Eupseong Core Center’ site, where remodeling work is underway on Naju Jeongmiso buildings 1 to 5, he urged the promotion of projects aligned with the original intent of urban regeneration.
Mayor Yoon said, “Since Naju Jeongmiso has historical significance and rarity, construction should proceed while preserving the original form of the building as much as possible,” adding, “It should be developed as a complex cultural space unique to Naju, enjoyed by both resident communities and tourists in various ways.”
He continued, “Development projects in the Eupseong area, currently pursued individually by each department, should be promoted with an emphasis on mutual balance and harmony from an integrated perspective.”
Furthermore, he said, “Various development projects such as the four gates of Naju Fortress, Naju Mokgwana, restoration of Naju Stream, Naju Nabilella Culture Center, and Naju Theater have been rampant, but paradoxically, the downtown area is declining,” adding, “We will systematically establish urban development strategies through an integrated approach that aligns with Naju’s historical identity and make Naju the number one historical and cultural tourism destination.”
Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong baekok@asiae.co.kr
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