Every First Sunday Until December
Gwangju Dong-gu (District Mayor Lim Taek) announced on the 20th that starting next month until December, "Geumnam-ro Car-Free Street" (hereafter referred to as Car-Free Street) will be operated on the first Sunday of every month on Geumnam-ro.
Car-Free Street was planned to return Geumnam-ro, a street steeped in Gwangju’s history, to the citizens as a place of relaxation and to create a people-centered urban space. It focuses on realizing the future value of an eco-friendly city under the theme of "People, Nature, Earth" and emphasizes the creation of a people-oriented urban environment.
In line with the policy of Gwangju Metropolitan City, which declared itself a "Public Transport, Bicycle, Walking City" last year, the event aims to transition to a transportation system centered on public transport, bicycles, and walking, thereby building a sustainable city.
The Car-Free Street covers a five-lane (30m wide) section from Geumnam-ro Park to in front of Jeonil Building 245. It will be operated from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month until December. In July and August, separate water-themed events will be held, and it will not operate in October when the "Gwangju Memories Chungjang Festival" takes place.
The main slogan for Car-Free Street is "Geotjaing(ing)", a combination of local dialect and the message of "walking." Spaces such as "Jjigeoing" (Take a Photo), "Swijaing" (Rest), "Julyeoing" (Reduce), and "Noljaing" (Play) will be set up to run permanent programs.
First, "Jjigeoing" is a space featuring a large photo zone using the "Liquidity Control" folly in Geumnam-ro Park, where visitors can find the main sculpture symbolizing the car-free street.
"Swijaing" is an urban rest area created on the main road in front of Jeonil Building 245. Beanbags are placed on artificial grass for citizens to take a break while walking, and a bookstore booth will also be operated in collaboration with local bookstores.
"Julyeoing" is the space from Woori Bank to SBI Savings Bank, set up to promote carbon neutrality. Merchants' associations and social economy enterprises will participate to operate experience and sales booths. There is also a bicycle storage area so citizens using bicycles can store them and enjoy the booths.
The citizen self-governed space "Noljaing" stretches from Geumnam-ro Park to the May 18 Democratic Uprising Archives. An open stage for local artists is prepared, raising expectations that citizens will be able to get closer to the arts.
Monthly themed programs will also be held. Major events include: ▲March - Ordinary Luck, Street Art Performance ▲April - ESG Youth Soccer Tournament ▲May - Find the Bicycle Thief! ▲June - Lucky Day ▲September - Hurry Up, Hopping King ▲November - Strange Alarm Contest ▲December - Merry Santa in Advance, Ring the Geumnam Bell!
Additionally, spaces for recreational sports, a permanent children's playground, and a bicycle repair shop will be operated. Events to promote the use of public transport, bicycles, and walking will also be held, providing various souvenirs to users of these means of transportation.
District Mayor Lim Taek said, "We will create the future of Dong-gu together with citizens through this special space where rest and walking become one," and added, "We ask for your great interest in Car-Free Street, a space where happiness, laughter, and stories of residents blend together in everyday life."
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