Agreement with 16 Domestic and International Companies Ahead of the International Garden Expo
Seoul City Provides Site, Companies Responsible for Design and Construction
Civic Participation Programs and Corporate Social Responsibility Activities Underway
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is set to enter into agreements with 16 domestic and international companies, including Samsung C&T and HDC Hyundai Development Company, to create gardens. The Seoul city government will provide the land, while each company will be responsible for design and construction, with the city also handling post-management. Currently, Seoul is promoting the 'Attractive Garden and Companion Garden Project' to establish around 1,000 large and small gardens throughout the city.
On the 23rd, Seoul announced that it signed a 'Business Agreement for the Creation of Corporate Companion Gardens' with domestic and international companies ahead of the 'Seoul International Garden Expo' scheduled to open on the 16th of next month. The agreement was conducted from the 18th to the 23rd, and including Mercedes-Benz, which signed an agreement in 2022, the total number of companies participating in the Corporate Companion Gardens at this year's Seoul International Garden Expo reaches 17.
Attending the 2024 Seoul International Garden Expo Corporate Accompanying Garden Creation Business Agreement Ceremony (from left) Shin Wang-seop, Executive Director of Hyundai Development Company; Kang Jin-du, Vice President of KB Securities; Lim Byung-sang, Manager of NH Nonghyup Property & Casualty Insurance; Lee Jung-jun, Executive of AIA Life; Lee Soo-yeon, Director of Seoul Green City and Leisure Bureau; Lee Eun-jung, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz; Jeon Jae-hyun, Manager of Samsung C&T; Lee Jung-hoon, Executive of Tongyang Life. [Photo by Seoul City]
The Corporate Companion Gardens project is promoted with Seoul city responsible for planning, promotional support, and providing locations, while companies support garden design, construction, promotion, and financing. After the parks are established, ownership is transferred to Seoul city through a handover process.
Notably, this year, Seoul upgraded the expo it has held since 2013 to an international scale as the 'Seoul International Garden Expo,' which increased corporate participation. Companies with strong interest in ESG management and social contribution activities expressed their intention to create gardens to support the successful hosting of the expo, and final participating companies were selected through detailed consultations.
Among the participating companies this year, the 'ESG Companion Garden' includes ▲Dongyang Life Insurance ▲Samsung C&T Resort Division ▲AIA Life Insurance ▲NH Nonghyup Property & Casualty Insurance ▲KB Securities ▲HDC Hyundai Development Company ▲Henkel Korea, totaling seven companies. The 'Display Attractive Garden' features eight companies: ▲Deco Gardening ▲Seoul City Forestry Cooperative ▲Woori Seed ▲Kingstar Lighting ▲Taeyang Sunroom ▲Shade and Space ▲Hansoo Comprehensive Landscaping ▲Herb Love, who will showcase beautiful and attractive works.
Additionally, the Mercedes-Benz Social Contribution Committee, which signed the 'Green Plus Urban Forest Project Business Agreement' in 2022 and has continued discussions, decided to create a 'Green Plus Urban Forest' at Ttukseom Hangang Park this year. Furthermore, Shinhan Bank and the agricultural corporation Jayeonhada will provide 40 planters that harmonize well with the expo site, and Sejong Garden Research Institute will donate flower seedlings to support the successful hosting of the expo.
The 'Corporate Companion Gardens' born from this agreement will be unique spaces reflecting each company's values and charm. Booths will also be set up within the expo site for citizen participation programs and introductions to each company's social contribution activities.
Lee Su-yeon, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Green City and Leisure Bureau, said, "The Corporate Companion Gardens created through this agreement are expected not only to contribute to the successful hosting of the expo but also to provide beautiful and pleasant resting spaces for citizens visiting Hangang Park after the event ends." She added, "We will continue to strive to create a ‘Garden City Seoul’ full of seasonal variety and charm through cooperation with various companies."
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