Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Ilhyung Lee Declares 'City of Flowers'

Proclaiming the Creation of a Happy Dongdaemun-gu Connected by Flowers, Livable and Walkable

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the 31st, Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, declared the intention to transform Dongdaemun-gu into a livable and walkable "City of Flowers."

The auditorium on the second floor was filled with residents and officials who enjoyed a pre-ceremony event featuring sand art and songs, collectively wishing for the beautiful transformation of Dongdaemun-gu.

In the declaration, Mayor Lee found the answer to renewing Dongdaemun in flowers and set three goals: a city flowing with history and culture, a city connecting flowers, trees, and people, and a happy city together with residents, presenting a future vision of Dongdaemun-gu breathing with flowers and trees.

The declaration consists of a full text outlining the future and values of the "City of Flowers Dongdaemun-gu" and nine articles.

The full text was read by Lee Tae-in, Chairperson of the District Council, and the nine articles, which are the concrete strategies, were read together by Mayor Lee Pil-hyung, Vice Chairperson Jeong Seong-young, and residents including students from Baebong Elementary School, raising expectations for a "City of Flowers Dongdaemun" created jointly by the public and private sectors.

The district plans to create spaces in schools and public facilities where residents can enjoy gardens all year round, decorate green spaces alongside walkways, and develop a green environment where residents can enjoy life with flowers and trees anytime and anywhere. At the declaration ceremony, a commissioning ceremony for "Park Caretakers" who will manage green spaces through volunteer work was also held.

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, "Dongdaemun has been the first neighborhood outside the Four Great Gates for 600 years. At Seonnongdan, a 500-year-old juniper tree grows. Just as this tree has connected Dongdaemun’s past, present, and future for 500 years, we will create a 'City of Flowers' that connects people to people, mountains to streams, making Dongdaemun a 'walkable city,' a 'livable city,' and a happy Dongdaemun-gu." He promised to do his best so that residents can take pride in living in Dongdaemun-gu.

'City of Flowers' Declaration

Dongdaemun-gu has long been a vibrant place where agriculture developed on wide, flat land with fresh breezes, and a market formed as a transportation hub.

Today, the world is experiencing an unprecedented climate crisis. Planting and nurturing more trees and flowers makes both the environment and people healthier.

Through a city of flowers cultivated together, nature is enjoyed nearby, people connect, and a green culture blossoms. Through daily life cultivated together on a refreshing foundation, Dongdaemun-gu becomes a city of flowers.

One, we will make Dongdaemun-gu a livable city full of life, walkable for all.

One, we will create a happy city where green daily life spreads as culture.

One, we will make Dongdaemun-gu smart by integrating digital technology.

One, we will enrich living spaces with abundant green foundations.

One, we will enable green environments through participation and experience.

One, we will make Dongdaemun-gu a city rich in nature.

One, we will create villages where stories bloom like flowers.

One, we will make Dongdaemun-gu a sustainable city.

One, we will train gardeners and foster the green industry.

January 31, 2023

Dongdaemun-gu