Selected for Seoul Local Brand Commercial District Development Project Last Year...
1 Billion KRW Invested This Year in 16 Projects under 5 Major Goals
Expansion and Systematization in the Second Year:
- Establishment and Operation of Commercial District Development Organization
- Space Improvements Including Overhead Lighting Installation
Gwanak-gu (District Mayor Park Jun-hee) is rolling up its sleeves again this year to develop the nationwide hot place ‘Sharosugil’ into a representative local brand of Seoul.
Sharosugil, where young entrepreneurs have gathered in traditional markets to form a unique commercial district, is one of Gwanak-gu’s representative commercial areas bustling with numerous visitors despite the prolonged economic downturn, based on the district’s largest young population and floating population.
In March last year, the district was selected for the ‘Seoul Local Brand Commercial District Development Project’ and secured a total budget of 3 billion KRW over three years until 2026 to revitalize the Sharosugil commercial district.
This year, the district announced the vision of ‘Creating a Healing Local Brand Filled with Culture for a Day’ and is investing a total of 1 billion KRW. Unlike last year when the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation managed the project, this year the district will directly oversee it and establish a commercial district development organization from the second half of the year to enhance the value and appeal of the local commercial district.
First, the district will undertake a large-scale space improvement to create a comfortable commercial area to stay. Seasonal and themed ‘overhead lighting’ will be installed along approximately 500 meters of Sharosugil to create a distinctive and unified commercial district landscape. Through agreements with private parking lots, parking fees will be supported for visitors, and unique cigarette butt collection bins will be installed to maintain a clean and convenient commercial district.
In the dining-focused Sharosugil commercial district, ‘experience-centered’ local content will also be strengthened. Spring and autumn festivals will be held to increase visitor inflow, and seasonal and themed character sculptures and photo zones will be installed throughout the district to enhance recognition using SNS certifications.
As an officially youth-friendly city, the district will not miss discovering ‘favorite spaces for youth.’ Pop-up stores, a must-visit course for the MZ generation, will be operated, and cultural and artistic performances will be created with local young artists. In particular, the strategy is to focus on nurturing the ‘anchor stores’ associated with Sharosugil to solidify its image as a ‘youth cultural playground’ where young people want to visit.
Additionally, by utilizing the characteristics of the commercial district, the district supports the stable settlement of ‘local value entrepreneurs’ who create business value, and prepares a coexistence plan for the entire commercial district through a ‘commercial district promotion package’ including managing Sharosugil’s representative SNS accounts and producing local goods.
Furthermore, continuous support will be provided to the merchants’ association established last year, promoting autonomous growth of the commercial district by issuing Sharosugil-exclusive coupons and gift certificates to stimulate resident consumption.
District Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “Sharosugil, which has grown with the passion of young people, is still an attractive commercial district with high potential for development,” and added, “Through the local brand commercial district development project, we will do our best to help Sharosugil grow into Seoul’s representative local brand and develop into a sustainable commercial district where merchants and residents coexist.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
