Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) announced on the 16th that it will create air-purifying urban forests in the 3rd phase new towns, including Incheon Gyeyang.
These forests, designed to purify the air by utilizing tree characteristics, will be established in urban living areas using parks or green spaces within the new towns, planting approximately 180,000 trees over a total area of 2.25 million square meters. This is comparable to the size of Yeouido (2.9㎢), equivalent to 315 soccer fields.
More than 40% of the park and green space planting areas will be planted with clusters of large trees, more than twice the number previously planted. The main species will be Japanese pagoda tree and oak, known for their excellent fine dust adsorption and absorption capabilities. LH explained that they plan to increase the air purification effect by more than 25%.
Aerial view of Pyeongtaek Godeok Hambaksan Neighborhood Park Urban Forest, opened last year. Provided by LH
It is expected to reduce about 10,000 kg of fine dust annually, equivalent to emissions from 6,000 diesel vehicles, while absorbing up to 2,500 tons of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. The company has previously created urban forests covering 750,000 square meters nationwide, achieving a reduction of 1,141 tons of carbon emissions.
Considering the increasing frequency of forest fires, the proportion of coniferous species vulnerable to fire, such as pine and Korean nut pine, will be reduced, and 36 fire-resistant species recommended by the Korea Forest Service, including maple and Mongolian oak, will be mixed in planting. Park Dong-seon, head of LH’s Land and Urban Headquarters, said, "The urban forests in the 3rd phase new towns will serve as a 'green mask' protecting the health of residents."
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