Jongno-gu Advances as a 'Wood-Friendly City' Leading Carbon Neutrality

Systematic Management of Wooden Architecture Including Hanok and Palaces Reflecting Jongno's Identity; Encouragement of Eco-Friendly Wood Use in Public Facilities and General Buildings

Wooden Architecture Pilot Projects, Establishment of Wooden Architecture Activation System, Participation in Korea Forest Service's Wood-Friendly City Contest, etc.

Nation's First 12-Story Public Building Constructed in Sinmunno to Be Used as a Public Office

Jongno-gu (Mayor Jeong Munheon) is promoting the use of 'wood,' recognized as an eco-friendly carbon-storing material, to realize a wood-friendly city and take the lead in practicing carbon neutrality.

The district aims to systematically manage various wooden architectures such as Hanok and palaces that embody Jongno's identity, and to respond to climate change by utilizing wood not only in public facilities but also in general buildings.

Accordingly, focusing on 'expanding resident convenience facilities' and 'revitalizing the local economy,' Jongno-gu is advancing ▲wooden architecture pilot projects for office use ▲establishment of a wooden architecture activation system ▲participation in the Korea Forest Service-designated wood-friendly city contest.

First, to make a full-fledged leap toward becoming a wood-friendly city, the district is conducting a wooden architecture pilot project for office use, planning to build the nation's first 12-story wooden public building in the Sinmunno 240-4 area.

Currently, a feasibility study determining the financial structure and project direction is underway, and related plans along with the formation of a dedicated organization are expected to enter administrative procedures within the second half of this year. After completion, the building will be used as a cultural and assembly facility as well as a public office.

Jeong Munheon, Mayor of Jongno District Office

Additionally, as part of the pilot project, the district plans to construct a 'public complex office building' using wood on three parcels including 107 Hyoje-dong. A five-story wooden building on the site will be donated and construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of the year, with plans to develop it into a social welfare facility for residents in the future.

Furthermore, the district is establishing a wooden architecture activation system based on the development of 'guidelines related to private and public wooden architecture procedures,' the formation of the 'Jongno-gu Wooden Architecture Expert Advisory Group,' and the hosting of an 'expert forum' in the second half of the year. As these plans are steadily implemented, it is expected to prevent various issues that may arise during construction of wooden buildings over five stories in both private and public sectors and contribute to the activation of wooden architecture.

The district is also making multifaceted efforts aiming to be selected as a 'wood-friendly city' by the Korea Forest Service. Representative examples include wooden transformation of living SOC (including benches, streetlights, and bus stops), remodeling of community centers using wooden finishing materials, establishment of woodworking experience centers, and modernization and high-rise development of wooden buildings.

Since March, Jongno-gu has been conducting the Seoul metropolitan area's first 'wooden house health checkup' in the urban regeneration activation area west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, continuing through October. This project diagnoses and prevents termite damage, which can easily occur in Hanok, and carries out pest control work, receiving positive responses from residents.

Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, “We will contribute to practicing carbon neutrality through the use of eco-friendly wood and strive to activate private and public wooden architecture. By transforming buildings and streets within the city into wood, we will leap forward as a wood-friendly city, creating a pleasant and eco-friendly community and improving residents' quality of life.”