Gwangju Metropolitan City Seo-gu's Gwangju Gwangcheon, Geumdang, Geumho, and Uncheon Elementary Schools have opened their school parking lots wide for the convenience of local residents.
Seo-gu announced on the 20th that it held a 'School Parking Lot Sharing Proclamation Ceremony' on the 19th at the parking lot of Geumdang Elementary School in Pungam-dong.
The proclamation ceremony was attended by Seo-gu Mayor Kim Ikang, Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Lee Jeongseon, and principals Park Sujeong of Gwangju Gwangcheon Elementary, Jeong Byeongseok of Geumdang Elementary, Jo Myeongcheol of Geumho Elementary, and Park Seonyeong of Uncheon Elementary.
Seogu held a 'School Parking Lot Sharing Declaration Ceremony' on the 19th at the parking lot inside Geumdang Elementary School in Pungam-dong. [Photo by Seogu]
The proclamation ceremony is the first result since Seo-gu and the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education signed a business agreement last month on the 12th to promote coexistence, cooperation, and sharing activation. The four elementary schools decided to open 111 parking spaces in their affiliated parking lots (21 spaces at Gwangju Gwangcheon Elementary, 21 at Geumdang Elementary, 34 at Geumho Elementary, and 35 at Uncheon Elementary) to local residents.
The shared school parking lots will be maintained by installing parking control systems during the summer vacation to ensure student safety and smooth operation, and starting from September, only vehicles registered through prior recruitment will be allowed to use them.
The opening hours are from 7 p.m. on weekdays to 7:30 a.m. the next day, a time that does not infringe on students' right to learn, and they are available 24 hours on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
In particular, Seo-gu has prioritized securing children's commuting safety and will support the overall maintenance and operation of the parking lots.
The Metropolitan Office of Education and the schools will also actively participate in spreading a culture of sharing and giving.
Seo-gu Mayor Kim Ikang said, “Starting with these four schools, I hope many schools in Seo-gu will join the shared parking lot operation,” and added, “I hope that schools and local governments will cooperate based on the values of sharing and giving to actively solve various local issues, big and small, creating a win-win relationship.”
He continued, “Creating one new parking space requires a budget of over 100 million won and a considerable construction period, and securing land is not easy. Sharing already established school parking lots can contribute to budget savings as well as resolving conflicts among residents caused by parking and severe parking shortages.”
Meanwhile, Seo-gu has secured 1,234 shared parking spaces in schools, apartment complexes, churches, and private buildings, and supports facilities participating in the shared parking lot project with parking facility improvement costs.
Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dongho baekok@asiae.co.kr
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
