Seoul Gangseo-gu Accelerates Construction of Integrated Government Building

[Seoul District News] Gangseo-gu to Issue Construction Orders in December, Start Construction in April Next Year; Open Hall to be Developed into Cultural Hall with Completion Planned for 2026 & Existing Hall to be Used as Public Complex Cultural Facility ... Gwangjin-gu, 8th Term Civil Election '2022 Happiness Gwangjin Resident Satisfaction Survey' ... Gangbuk-gu Completes Expansion of 13 Resident Autonomy Committees ... Geumcheon-gu Installs Yellow Carpet to Create Safe School Routes

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Tae-woo) is accelerating the construction of the integrated new government building.

The district announced that it issued a construction contract in December for the integrated new government building and has entered a speed race aiming for completion in 2026.

The integrated new government building, to be constructed on a 20,244㎡ site at 745-3 Magok-dong, will have 2 underground floors and 8 above-ground floors with a total floor area of 59,377㎡. It will house the district office, district council, public health center, and other facilities in one place to maximize resident convenience and provide a one-stop administrative service space.

In particular, Mayor Kim Tae-woo has emphasized since his inauguration that "Gangseo where everyone from children to seniors is happy" is his administrative philosophy, stressing that the new government building must be a space solely for the residents.

Accordingly, the new government building will include cultural facilities such as a children's library and an open library, as well as resident convenience facilities like daycare centers and community centers, making it an open government building with leisure and relaxation spaces and a cultural government building. It will be developed as an eco-friendly and barrier-free building befitting a safe and environmentally conscious city, Gangseo.

Currently, the integrated new government building's construction contract has been requested through the Public Procurement Service to ensure a clean and transparent bidding process. Once the contractor is selected, a cultural groundbreaking ceremony with residents will be held in April next year.

Starting with the groundbreaking ceremony, upon completion in 2026, it is expected to create a synergy effect for regional development along with the Magok MICE complex, LG Art Center, and Seoul Botanic Park, becoming the central axis of the cultural and future city Gangseo.

At the same time, work is underway to transform the current district office located in Hwagok-dong into a complex cultural facility simultaneously with the relocation to the new building.

In October, the district began a basic plan study to convert the district office into a public complex cultural facility equipped with exhibition halls, performance venues, libraries, and family community facilities in line with the relocation of the new government building.

The district's plan is to develop the integrated new government building and the public complex cultural facility (current district office) as cultural anchor facilities and growth axes for regional development in the new town centered on Magok and the old town including Hwagok, creating a high-quality balanced city full of culture and arts.

Mayor Kim Tae-woo said, "The integrated new government building will be a new growth engine leading the 100-year Gangseo Renaissance and a landmark of the future city Gangseo," adding, "We will push forward the construction of the integrated new government building without delay to ensure that residents receive the most convenient and high-quality administrative services." For inquiries, contact the Gangseo-gu New Government Building Construction Promotion Team.

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) is conducting the '2022 Happy Gwangjin Resident Satisfaction Survey' on the overall district administration of the 8th elected term until the 14th of this month.

This survey was prepared to gather residents' opinions on the changes and administrative direction of the 8th elected term to realize a more developed Gwangjin. Based on the survey results, the district plans to implement customized policies that residents can genuinely feel.

The survey targets about 1,000 Gwangjin residents aged 18 and over.

The questionnaire consists of 18 items including ▲ residents' awareness and interest in district administration ▲ perception of changes during the 8th elected term ▲ opinions on Gwangjin's development direction, to proactively identify residents' perceived changes and improvements in the 8th term.

The survey is conducted by Gallup Korea through face-to-face interviews, and it takes about 20 minutes to complete the questionnaire.

The results will be announced on the Gwangjin-gu Office website at the end of December. It is expected that the annual resident satisfaction survey will help supplement improvements in the 8th term and provide resident-centered customized administrative services.

Mayor Kim Kyung-ho said, "We prepared this survey to hear sharp evaluations from the residents who are the owners of Gwangjin-gu, so we ask for active participation," adding, "We will faithfully reflect residents' opinions and achieve a happy Gwangjin that develops through communication."

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) held the Resident Autonomy Committee appointment and launch ceremony on the 1st and completed the expansion of the Resident Autonomy Committee to all 13 neighborhoods.

The district started the Resident Autonomy Committee in 2019 in five neighborhoods (phase 1): Mia-dong, Samgaksan-dong, Beon 3-dong, Suyu 2-dong, and Insu-dong. It then expanded to four more neighborhoods (phase 2) in 2021: Samyang-dong, Songcheon-dong, Suyu 1-dong, and Ui-dong. This year, it added Songjung-dong, Beon 1-dong, Beon 2-dong, and Suyu 3-dong (phase 3), operating the committee in all 13 neighborhoods.

The appointment ceremony was held at 5 p.m. in the district office auditorium. About 250 people including Mayor Lee Soon-hee, guests, and Resident Autonomy Committee members attended. The ceremony proceeded with ▲ progress report ▲ appointment letter presentation ▲ our pledge ▲ functions and roles of the Resident Autonomy Committee ▲ guidance on members' duties.

On the day, the district appointed 180 members from the phase 3 neighborhoods and 18 additional members from phase 1 and 2 neighborhoods requiring more recruitment such as Mia-dong, Insu-dong, Samyang-dong, and Songcheon-dong, totaling 198 Resident Autonomy Committee members.

During the pledge, all appointed members vowed to always listen to residents' opinions as community volunteers and take the lead in solving local issues.

Mayor Lee Soon-hee said, "The core value in the development of democracy today is realizing resident autonomy, and you, the Resident Autonomy Committee members, are at the center," urging, "With pride and confidence that residents are the owners, please work hard to solve village problems together with neighbors and make Gangbuk a place that empowers lives."

She added, "I hope the Gangbuk-gu Resident Autonomy Committee will be further activated with vigorous activities in all 13 neighborhoods and that the flower of resident autonomy will bloom."

Yellow Carpet installed at Sinheung Elementary School

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) has expanded yellow carpets in school zones to prevent children's traffic accidents and improve pedestrian safety.

Yellow carpets (children's crosswalk waiting areas) are traffic safety facilities that mark the ground or walls in yellow to provide a safe waiting area for children before crossing crosswalks and to make it easier for drivers to recognize them.

Geumcheon-gu newly installed yellow carpets at three schools: Geumdong Elementary School, Donggwang Elementary School, and Baeksan Elementary School, and repaired yellow carpets near six schools where the color had faded and visibility had deteriorated.

Starting with five schools in 2016, Geumcheon-gu has expanded yellow carpets to 14 schools to prevent children's traffic accidents.

Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon said, "We will continuously expand various systems to prevent children's traffic accidents and create an environment where children can commute to school safely."