[Interview] Park Ilha, Dongjak District Mayor, "Creating an 'Eco-friendly Green City'"

Creation of ‘Noise-Free Streets’ and Installation of Noise Measurement Systems... Connecting the Disconnected Noksabong Green Axis... Expansion of Eco-Friendly Infrastructure such as Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities... Creating a Safe Environment from Fine Dust

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “The year 2023 will be a year to lay the foundation for creating an eco-friendly green city.”

Park Il-ha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said this in an interview. Dongjak-gu plans to focus its administrative efforts this year on realizing an ‘eco-friendly green city’ by implementing various strategies including ▲establishing the first noise-free street in the autonomous district ▲connecting the disconnected Noksabong green axis ▲expanding eco-friendly infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging facilities ▲creating a safe environment from fine dust.

First, with the rapid increase in two-wheeled vehicle traffic due to the spread of delivery culture caused by COVID-19, noise from two-wheeled vehicles in densely populated residential areas has emerged as a social issue. Accordingly, Dongjak-gu will create the first noise-free street in an autonomous district. In April this year, through a residents’ briefing session, one side street in a residential area with high two-wheeled vehicle traffic noise was selected as a pilot area. The district plans to manage it as a noise impact management zone by painting noise-free street slogans and installing signs and guidance markers. Additionally, a two-wheeled vehicle noise measurement camera will be installed on Hyeonchung-ro in Dongjak-gu to manage noise emission sources. By measuring traffic volume and noise levels, the district plans to analyze the impact on residents’ lives and develop noise reduction measures.

Earlier, in October last year, the district enacted the “Ordinance on Prevention and Support for Noise Occurrence around Schools in Dongjak-gu, Seoul.” This ordinance was established to resolve complaints and conflicts caused by two-wheeled vehicle noise from a rider caf? near Heukseok-dong Elementary School by stipulating the authority for noise measurement, guidance, and enforcement. Mayor Park emphasized, “We are the first autonomous district in Seoul to enact an ordinance to prevent noise occurrence around schools,” adding, “Its significance lies in guaranteeing the right of students and residents to receive education and live in a peaceful environment.”

Along with this, Dongjak-gu will redevelop the Noksabong (Sangdo Neighborhood Park) green environment so that residents can enjoy green spaces for rest and leisure activities.

Residents walking along Dongjak Chung-hyo-gil (Section 6) in the Noksabong green area currently have to cross a road and climb the mountain again. The connecting path linking the green spaces on both sides, which are separated by the road, will be completed in June this year, integrating and expanding the Noksabong and Seodal Mountain trails into a green healing space. The green connection path will combine walking trails and wildlife corridors to create a path where nature and people coexist, planting tree species similar to the adjacent forest such as pine and Korean dogwood. Furthermore, with an investment of 1.6 billion KRW, the district plans to replace old decks and wooden stairs and level uneven surfaces along the 8.8 km section of the Noksabong and Seodal Mountain trails to improve user convenience. Mayor Park emphasized, “Once the Noksabong and Seodal Mountain trails are connected, the ecological environment will be restored, expanding residents’ green living areas.”

Efforts will also be made to expand eco-friendly infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging facilities. Although the number of electric and hydrogen vehicles is rapidly increasing every year, the supply of eco-friendly vehicle charging infrastructure is not keeping pace. Accordingly, the district plans to increase the number of electric vehicle charging facilities from the current 1,115 locations to 1,362 locations by adding 247 this year. In addition, in January, the district signed a business agreement with three eco-friendly private companies for the joint development of eco-friendly energy convergence projects. Through collaboration with private companies, the district plans to continuously expand eco-friendly parking lots, charging facilities, and solar power installations.

Moreover, the district is leading efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce greenhouse gases by supporting subsidies for electric vehicle purchases. Mayor Park stated, “At the district level, we will actively respond to the climate crisis in various ways and build living infrastructure that allows convenient use of eco-friendly energy.”

In addition, fine dust blocking and reduction projects are also indispensable for creating a pleasant eco-friendly city. Dongjak-gu is distributing indoor air purifiers to all 81 public facilities including libraries and welfare centers, and plans to provide an additional unit per 90㎡ of facility area to those already equipped. The district will also install air quality monitors to monitor the environment inside facilities and create a comfortable environment for users through active management such as ventilation and filter replacement.

The district is promoting various fine dust reduction projects, including supporting installation costs for eco-friendly boilers that reduce air pollutants and heating costs, providing 150,000 KRW for general households and up to 650,000 KRW for low-income households and welfare facilities. Park Il-ha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, “Since a pleasant urban environment is an important factor in improving residents’ quality of life, this year we will focus on laying the foundation for an eco-friendly green city,” adding, “In the Year of the Black Rabbit, working Dongjak-gu will achieve both development and environmental goals and create new changes.”