Daegu City to Invest 4.4 Billion Won This Year to Create Six 'Climate-Responsive Urban Forests'

On the 15th, Daegu City announced that it will create climate-responsive urban forests at six locations, including facility green spaces within the city, to realize a carbon-neutral city by 2050 and respond to the climate crisis.

Daegu City is promoting the creation of urban forests using green spaces along major roads in residential areas, railroad green belts, and idle lands near sources of fine dust emissions to build a comfortable forest city in Daegu called the 'Climate-Responsive Urban Forest.'

An urban forest created in Buk-gu, Daegu City to block fine dust.

Urban forests not only reduce fine dust but also lower tropical nights in midsummer, reduce noise, and provide rest and psychological stability. They also have value as ecological complex spaces where urban wildlife can live.

From 2019 to 2022, Daegu City invested 15.4 billion KRW to create 44 hectares of fine dust blocking forests at 20 locations, including the Seodaegu Industrial Complex and buffer green spaces of the National Industrial Complex. This year, it will invest 4.4 billion KRW to create 4.4 hectares of climate-responsive urban forests at six locations: Yeonggyeong District, areas around Donghwacheon Stream, buffer green spaces of Chilgok 1 Residential District, Seongseo 3rd Local Industrial Complex, Dalseong 1st General Industrial Complex, and Technopolis facility green spaces.

According to research by the National Institute of Forest Science, one hectare of urban forest (10 years old) absorbs an average of 6.9 tons of carbon dioxide annually, and it is effective in lowering fine dust concentration due to lower temperatures and higher humidity compared to urban areas.

Choi Byung-won, head of the Forestry and Greenery Division of Daegu City, said, “We will do our best to improve citizens’ quality of life through the creation of urban lungs, urban forests that have effects such as climate mitigation, noise reduction, air purification, and fostering rest and emotional well-being.”