Aiming for a Future City that Balances Society, Economy, and Environment
Gwanak District in Seoul (Mayor Park Junhee) announced on November 11 that it is strengthening sustainable development policies across all administrative sectors to improve residents’ quality of life and enhance community resilience. Last month, the district established a mid- to long-term development strategy under the vision of “Sustainable Growth Gwanak: A City Dreaming of a Sustainable Future.”
On the 4th, Yoon Soonjin, Dean of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Seoul National University, gave a special lecture on "Sustainable Development and Climate Crisis Response" to the staff of Gwanak District. Provided by Gwanak District.
This vision reflects local characteristics and administrative capabilities, setting the “4S Strategic Directions” with “S” as the central keyword. The core strategies are: ▲ Social Well-being (a healthy society where everyone is happy), ▲ Smart Innovation (a sustainable and innovative economic city), ▲ Stable Ecosystem (a clean city for future generations), and ▲ Synergy & Communication (a collaborative and communicative city). These are further specified through 17 sustainable development goals, 41 indicators, and 70 detailed tasks.
The district has set various indicators, including addressing social issues such as solitary deaths, low birth rates, and high suicide rates, as well as expanding job opportunities for seniors in preparation for a super-aged society. Through these efforts, the district aims to strengthen policy support throughout the entire life cycle of residents and to present a regionally tailored model for solving social problems.
In addition, by promoting environmental indicators such as expanding rainwater utilization, increasing renewable energy generation, and enlarging green spaces, the district is responding to the climate crisis and working to realize a green ecological city where nature and people coexist.
On November 4, the district invited Yoon Soonjin, Dean of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Seoul National University, to deliver a special lecture on “Sustainable Development and Climate Crisis Response” to all district staff. Dean Yoon emphasized, “Sustainable development is not a matter of choice but of survival, and local communities must take a leading role in responding.”
Previously, in 2023, the district signed a “Sustainable Development City Gwanak Business Agreement” with the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Seoul National University, thereby strengthening the expertise and practical foundation of its sustainability administration.
Park Junhee, Mayor of Gwanak District, stated, “Sustainable development practices at the local government level will become a competitive advantage that creates a happy future for local residents. Through our basic strategies for sustainable development, we will implement policies that harmonize the economy, society, and environment, enabling the community to grow together and realize the dream of Gwanak as a city with a sustainable future.”
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