[Seoul District News] Jo Seongmyeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, Presents Vision for Gangnam-gu 'Green Smart City' in 8th Term ... Guro-gu Opens Newmal Senior Center Near Guro 5-dong Hangari Bus Stop
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the 23rd, Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, announced the vision and major plans for the 8th term of the Gangnam-gu administration.
Having launched the 8th term with an overwhelming vote share of over 70%, Mayor Jo presented the vision of a ‘Green Smart City’ for Gangnam-gu along with key administrative directions including ▲development of the Setec site into an administrative complex cultural town ▲creation of a compact city ▲formation of a Reconstruction Dream Support TF ▲resolution of polarization ▲development of global tourist attractions.
The slogan for the 8th term of Gangnam-gu, ‘Green Smart City,’ is a compound of ‘Green’ and ‘Smart,’ meaning a city that respects ‘life’ encompassing both people and nature, and a city where everyone can enjoy convenience and happiness based on innovative technology. Through this vision, the district plans to lead Gangnam’s re-advancement aiming to become a world-class city where people and nature coexist and innovative technology lifestyles are realized.
First, to meet residents’ demands for expanded cultural and sports facilities and to provide convenient one-stop administrative services, the district will promote the creation of an ‘Administrative Cultural Complex Town.’ For this, an equal-value exchange between the city-owned land of Daechi-dong Setec site and the current district office site, which is district-owned land, must be carried out. The district plans to continue detailed consultations with Seoul City going forward.
Additionally, high-density mixed-use development centered around subway station areas will be pursued to realize a job-residence proximity type ‘Compact City.’ Gangnam-gu has a total of 30 subway stations, including 11 transfer stations, 17 single stations, and 2 newly opened stations on the Wirye~Sinsa Line. The district plans to enhance the business feasibility for private developers and expand living and cultural infrastructure by upgrading zoning around station areas. The plan is to create a compact urban space where residents can enjoy all the convenience facilities and benefits of the ‘Green Smart City’ Gangnam within walking distance, thereby resolving chronic metropolitan issues such as housing and transportation.
To accelerate the long-stalled reconstruction projects, a ‘Reconstruction Dream Support TF’ will be formed involving residents, experts, and the district office, enabling simultaneous provision of various data, legal review support, and collection of residents’ opinions.
Although Gangnam-gu is known as a wealthy neighborhood, polarization is severe, with the 12th highest number of basic livelihood security recipients among 25 autonomous districts, and the third largest scale of rental housing. To address this, the district will reorganize the Gangnam Welfare Foundation to focus support on vulnerable groups and promote a culture where the wealthy voluntarily practice donation and sharing.
Furthermore, small yacht docks will be created on Tancheon and Yangjaecheon streams, and the waterways connecting Gangnam to the Han River will be developed into global tourist attractions. The Dosan-daero area from Sinsa Station to Bongeunsa Station will be developed into a ‘Global Beauty and Culture Platform’ linked with Garosu-gil, Apgujeong Rodeo Street, and Cheongdam-dong luxury streets.
Also, targeting overseas patients seeking Gangnam-gu’s advanced medical infrastructure, the district plans to continuously promote SNS events and online patient consultation meetings to maintain Gangnam-gu’s reputation as the ‘World’s No.1 Medical Tourism City.’
Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, “Each resident is a better expert than I am,” and added, “I will listen carefully to diverse opinions and ideas and complete the vision of the Green Smart City for the 8th term together with the residents.”
Guro-gu (Mayor Moon Heon-il) announced that the newly established Saemal Senior Center held its opening ceremony on the 19th and has begun full-scale operations.
The opening ceremony was attended by about 30 people including Moon Heon-il, Mayor of Guro-gu, members of the National Assembly, Guro-gu Council Chairperson Kwak Yun-hee, city and provincial council members, the president of the Korean Senior Citizens Association Guro Branch, senior center members, and residents. The event proceeded in the order of ▲opening declaration and introduction of guests ▲greetings ▲congratulatory speeches ▲unveiling of the nameplate ▲commemorative photo session ▲closing declaration.
Until now, there had been continuous requests for the establishment of a senior center near the Hangari bus stop area in Guro 5-dong for the elderly.
In response, Guro-gu purchased a building located at 16 Gurojungang-ro 30-gil (Guro-dong) in May 2021 and, after about four months of remodeling, established a senior center with a total floor area of 156.6㎡, consisting of one basement floor and two above-ground floors.
Currently, 38 senior center members have been recruited, and the election of the president and executives has been completed through a general meeting.
A Guro-gu official said, “We hope Saemal Senior Center will become a comfortable resting place and communication space for local seniors,” and added, “We will strive to ensure that seniors have no inconvenience in using the senior center.”
Guro-gu has a total of 204 senior centers, including 53 public and 151 private centers. Among these, 201 centers are currently operating, excluding 3 private centers facing operational difficulties.
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