Gangjin-gun Wins Grand Prize for Urban Area Innovation

Recognition of Solving Social Issues through Vacant House and Hub Facility Operation

Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do recently received the Grand Prize in the ‘Urban Area Innovation Awards,’ which recognizes local governments that have achieved positive results in urban innovation.

According to the county on the 19th, it was selected as the winner in the social problem-solving category and received the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award. The county submitted a proposal under the theme “Happy Daily Life, Vibrant Gangjin, Opening the Future of the Region through Spatial Innovation,” and was finally selected after document screening and presentation evaluation.

Gangjin County won the 'Grand Prize' for Urban Area Innovation. Photo by Gangjin County

The Urban Regeneration Support Center was highly evaluated for its active efforts on the ground, such as solving community issues like vacant houses through urban regeneration projects and forming and operating a 100-member resident participation group for spatial planning to gather residents’ opinions and create spaces tailored to users.

The awards ceremony was held on the 13th at the ‘2024 Korea Urban and Regional Innovation Industry Expo’ in Daegu Metropolitan City.

The Korea Urban and Regional Innovation Industry Expo has been held annually since 2019 under the slogan “Vitality to Cities, Jobs to Regions,” aiming to promote government urban innovation policies and excellent urban innovation cases domestically and internationally, as well as to support the growth and expertise enhancement of companies in related fields.

This year, over 170 participants including metropolitan and basic local governments nationwide, public institutions such as Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), and private companies in the urban innovation industry sector took part, setting up 200 booths to introduce urban innovation policies, progress of urban maintenance projects by region, and excellent technologies in related fields.

Kim Dong-nam, head of the Rural Development Division of Gangjin-gun, stated, “Winning the Urban Innovation Award demonstrated the potential of a small county unit and recognized the achievements and efforts of the ongoing urban regeneration projects. We will continue to do our best to revitalize the region through urban regeneration projects.”