Incorporating Diverse Citizen Voices to Make the Big Tree
a Symbolic Resting Place of Changwon
Changwon Special City in South Gyeongsang Province announced on August 7 that it would actively reflect citizens' voices to establish a long-term improvement plan for the much-discussed Daesang Park Big Tree, which has been temporarily opened for two weeks from August 4 to August 17.
This temporary opening was arranged to check the completeness of the Big Tree's interior and exterior facilities together with citizens, and to gather a wide range of opinions through a survey on topics such as perceptions and evaluations of the Big Tree, design improvements, harmony with the surrounding landscape, and content development. For those unable to visit in person, it is also possible to participate in the online survey on the Changwon City website until August 17.
The city explained that there was significant public criticism over the lack of citizen input during the process of changing the Big Tree's appearance from the original rendering to its current form. Therefore, the city plans to closely review citizens' feedback and suggestions regarding the interior and exterior facilities, and reflect them in the improvement plan.
The city will analyze the results of the citizen survey by the end of August and complete short-term measures?such as supplementing greenery and landscaping, enhancing facility safety, and expanding convenience facilities like benches?by September.
In addition, for mid- and long-term improvements such as redesigning the upper part of the Big Tree, the city plans to develop a remodeling concept through public discussions involving experts and citizens starting in October, based on the survey results, and to further specify the design through a design competition.
The design selected through a nationwide competition will undergo another round of public discussion to ensure it reflects Changwon’s environmental and cultural values. The final design modification will be confirmed by the end of the year, and full-scale implementation will begin in the first half of next year, after the settlement and completion of the Daesang Park development project.
Jang Geumyong, Acting Mayor of Changwon Special City, said, "This temporary opening is a meaningful process to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Big Tree and to seek comprehensive improvement measures for the facility," adding, "We will discuss operational plans together with citizens and make the Big Tree a symbolic resting place for Changwon."
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