Idle Urban and Rural Spaces
Revitalized Through Housing, Returning Farmers, and Tourism
Gimcheon City Council in Gyeongbuk has presented concrete solutions to transform abandoned vacant houses into assets that can revitalize the community.
Gimcheon City Council in Gyeongbuk is taking a commemorative photo after holding the final presentation of the vacant house utilization study group.
The Vacant House Utilization Research Group of Gimcheon City Council (comprising Assembly members Kim Eungsook, Na Youngmin, Park Daeha, and Lim Dongkyu) held its final report meeting on September 25 in the council conference room, presenting the results of its study on “Utilization Plans for Idle Vacant Houses to Attract Population and Revitalize the Region.”
This report meeting was organized to address the growing problem of vacant houses throughout both urban and rural areas, which has been exacerbated by population decline and aging demographics.
The research suggested that vacant houses could be repurposed as ▲residential spaces for young people and newlyweds, ▲housing for returning farmers, new rural residents, and foreign workers, and ▲tourism resources. The report proposed multi-layered utilization plans that go beyond simple management to encompass housing, culture, and tourism.
Representative Assemblywoman Kim Eungsook stated, “The decline in Gimcheon’s population and the increase in vacant houses are urgent issues that can no longer be postponed. I hope this research will be implemented as real policy and become a turning point for revitalizing the region.”
Chairman Na Youngmin also emphasized, “At the council level, we will cooperate with the executive branch to ensure that the research results are translated into practical policies.” This report meeting was significant in that it presented concrete measures to transform abandoned vacant houses from sources of risk into valuable opportunities.
This initiative by Gimcheon City Council goes beyond simple urban regeneration, offering practical solutions that encompass attracting young people and strengthening regional competitiveness. There is growing interest in whether vacant houses, once symbols of decline, can be reborn as “spaces of opportunity.”
Gimcheon City Council is holding the final report meeting of the Vacant House Utilization Research Group.
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