Harmony of Nature and Space
Building a Desirable Rural Community in Cheongsong
Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, is investing a budget of 36.7 billion KRW this year to promote various projects aimed at building a desirable rural space where nature and space harmonize.
Cheongsong-gun has set four core strategies: △ systematic rural space maintenance and creation of desirable rural villages △ pleasant and planned urban construction △ regional development through urban regeneration of underdeveloped urban areas △ implementation of practical and creative public design and construction of public buildings.
Through these efforts, the county plans to provide a stable residential environment and create a “desirable Cheongsong” through systematic spatial maintenance, while promoting regional revitalization through planned urban construction and creative urban regeneration.
First, the “Cheongsong-eup Rural Hub Revitalization Project,” which has been underway since 2019, is expected to be completed by the end of this year, bringing positive changes to the local community.
With the completion of the Cheongsong-eup Administrative and Cultural Center, which began construction last December, by the end of the year, it is anticipated that residents’ quality of life will improve and Cheongsong-eup will be reborn as a competitive rural hub.
Additionally, the “Rural Agreement Project,” selected in last year’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) competition, will establish a basic plan this year and apply for approval from MAFRA.
This project is a collaborative investment between MAFRA and Cheongsong-gun, focusing investments according to the development directions established by the region itself. From 2025 to 2029, a total of 38.3 billion KRW will be invested over five years to build and remodel various multipurpose facilities and implement resident capacity-building projects in seven townships excluding Cheongsong-eup.
The “Vulnerable Area Living Conditions Improvement Project” (Hasok 1-ri, Sinjeom 1-ri, Geodae-ri, Cheoncheon 1-ri) is also progressing smoothly. It includes remodeling village halls, fence maintenance, slate roof removal, and resident capacity-building education. Village-making projects tailored to local characteristics (Gaksan-ri, Songgang 1·2-ri, Gowa-ri, Jangjeon 2-ri) are also being promoted to expand safe living infrastructure and improve residential environments. Furthermore, customized education for residents will ensure basic living standards and create villages that highlight regional characteristics.
The “Deokri District Rural Space Project,” which started in 2023, is also progressing well. It is expected to create synergy effects in improving residential services and building desirable rural villages by linking with various rural development projects such as the “Rural Hub Revitalization Project,” “Rural Agreement,” and “Vulnerable Area Living Conditions Improvement Project.”
Urban planning road maintenance for pleasant and planned urban construction is also underway. The “Hyeonseo and Andeok-myeon Underground Power Line Project,” selected in the 2023 competition, is currently in the final design stage and is scheduled to begin construction in the first half of the year. This project will underground power and communication lines (L=2.2km) in Hyeonseo-myeon and Andeok-myeon to create a pleasant urban landscape.
Moreover, urban regeneration projects for revitalizing underdeveloped urban areas and regional development, such as the “Jinbo-Jinan District Urban Regeneration New Deal Project” and the “Cheongsong Geumgok District Urban Regeneration Recognition Project,” are progressing smoothly.
The Jinbo Complex Community Center, which began construction last November, is expected to be completed in the first half of next year. The underground power line project on Jinbo-ro (L=2.3 km) to improve the urban landscape of Jinbo-myeon is also scheduled for completion in the first half of this year.
Additionally, a roundabout was installed last year at Wolmakgyo Bridge in front of Cheongsong Market on Jungang-ro, Cheongsong-eup, to resolve traffic inconveniences caused by illegal parking. Another roundabout is planned for completion in the first half of the year at the bypass intersection (National Road 34) in Jinbo-myeon to ensure smooth traffic flow and alleviate signal waiting inconveniences.
The “5080 Youth Life Complex Center” of the “Cheongsong Geumgok District Urban Regeneration Recognition Project” is scheduled for completion in August. It will operate programs such as startup support, health culture, and hobbies to promote social integration and community revitalization across generations. This is expected to bring significant vitality to the region.
To resolve the major issue of youth outmigration and provide a stable residential environment for young people, a public rental housing construction project is also underway. The “Youth Village,” consisting of 44 households in Wolmak-ri, Cheongsong-eup, is scheduled for completion by the end of this year. Additionally, a 100-household public rental housing for female correctional officers and youth is currently in detailed design in Jinan-ri, Jinbo-myeon.
Cheongsong-gun plans to gradually expand the public rental housing project to secure a young residential population and revitalize the stagnant region through housing stabilization.
Finally, landscape lighting will be installed and a walking trail created around the Hyeonbiam area in Cheongsong-eup. Old and cluttered signs in the townships will be reorganized to provide residents and visitors with a clean and pleasant urban landscape.
Governor Yoon Kyung-hee stated, “To attract new residents and improve living conditions for residents, a stable residential environment and sufficient infrastructure are essential,” adding, “We will do our best to prevent indiscriminate development and build a desirable Cheongsong-gun where nature and space harmonize.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
