Pohang Mayor Lee Kangdeok: "Focusing on Securing Urban Competitiveness for a Sustainable Future"

Overcoming Disaster through the Heunghae Special Regeneration Project:
A Model Case Presenting New Possibilities for Urban Reconstruction
Daily Recovery and Healing, Cultural and Economic Urban Regeneration
through the Construction of Poeun Heunghae Library

Pohang Mayor Lee Kangdeok urged officials to dedicate themselves to improving citizens' quality of life and achieving sustainable development in order to secure the city's competitiveness.

On the 10th, Pohang City held the March on-site extended executive meeting at the Poeun Heunghae Library music auditorium, presided over by Mayor Lee Kangdeok.

Mayor Kangdeok Lee is presiding over an on-site expanded executive meeting at Heunghae Poeun Library on the 10th. Photo by Pohang City

This meeting held special significance as it took place at Poeun Heunghae Library, a historical site of urban reconstruction where the city overcame the Heunghae Special Regeneration Project's earthquake disaster and restored daily life.

The meeting included a report on the current status of the Heunghae Special Regeneration Project, followed by an in-depth discussion on the operation plan for Poeun Heunghae Library, achievements of the Greenway Project, and future visions. Participants exchanged ideas on ways to enhance the city's dignity and competitiveness, directly impacting citizens' lives.

First, there was a renewed commitment to restoring citizens' living spaces and communities through the construction of anchor facilities such as the Complex Community Center, Ainuri Plaza, Buk-gu Health Center, and Trauma Center, aiming to complete a model case that presents new possibilities for urban reconstruction where culture, safety, and economy coexist.

In addition, as the largest public library in Daegu and Gyeongbuk and the first music-specialized library in the Yeongnam region, the operation plan for Poeun Heunghae Library?a cultural hub for citizens' daily recovery and healing?was shared, and areas for improvement were explored ahead of its official opening.

Mayor Lee especially requested that every effort be made to ensure that the successful implementation of the Special Regeneration Project becomes an opportunity for a new leap forward, going beyond simple earthquake damage restoration.

Furthermore, during the themed report on "Greenway Vision 2030," in-depth discussions were held on creating a pleasant city where everyone wants to live, a healthy and vibrant city that attracts people, and a safe city resilient to climate change, through the promotion of a green city where urban and natural spaces are connected like a garden.

Mayor Lee asked for every effort to be made to enhance quality of life through the creation of a green city based on citizen participation and consensus, and to secure Pohang's status as a global leading city in carbon neutrality and climate change response.

He also emphasized the need for thorough efforts to overcome crises in the steel and secondary battery industries, restore the local economy, and steadfastly pursue key projects that citizens can truly feel.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of dedicating all efforts to fostering future industries such as AI, MICE, hydrogen, and bio, as well as establishing a preemptive and thorough response system to disasters such as wildfires and heavy rain.

Mayor Lee Kangdeok said, "This on-site meeting was a meaningful opportunity to reflect together for a better daily life for our citizens," adding, "Let's do our utmost to enhance the city's capabilities and create a sustainable future based on a broad perspective and comprehensive thinking that looks toward the future."

After the extended executive meeting, Mayor Lee inspected the Poeun Heunghae Library and Heunghae Ainuri Plaza, which are scheduled to officially open on the 18th of this month.