A Multi-Purpose Space Integrating Psychological Recovery, Care, and Education
Targeting Completion in 2027
Mayor Lee Kangdeok: "A Crucial Milestone for Community Recovery Beyond Earthquake Pain"
The city that endured pain is now moving beyond recovery, embarking in earnest on a new phase of urban revitalization and renewal.
On December 19, Pohang City held a groundbreaking ceremony for the "Pohang Community Complex Facility Construction Project," officially launching the creation of a multi-purpose space aimed at restoring the local community and rebuilding the daily lives of citizens affected by earthquake damage.
In November 2017, Pohang suffered a triggered earthquake that resulted not only in loss of life and property but also caused long-term psychological trauma and the collapse of the community.
In response, over the past eight years, the city has continuously promoted urban regeneration projects, restored residential and daily life infrastructure, and implemented community recovery programs to help residents in the affected areas rebuild their lives.
The Pohang Community Complex Facility Construction Project, being pursued as an extension of these efforts, aims to establish a key hub for psychological recovery and community rebuilding for residents in earthquake-affected areas. The goal is to create a complex space that integrates care, cultural, and educational functions for the community.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Pohang Mayor Lee Kangdeok, Pohang City Council Vice Chairman Lee Jaejin, National Assembly member Kim Jeongjae (Pohang North), city and provincial council members, officials from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Gyeongbuk Province, heads of local institutions and organizations, and about 300 local residents, all celebrating the launch of the project together.
The Pohang Community Complex Facility will be built in Yangdeok-dong, Buk-gu, with three above-ground floors and a total floor area of approximately 3,700 square meters. The total project cost is about 19.8 billion won, and completion is targeted for the first half of 2027.
This facility, established under Article 21 of the "Special Act on Pohang Earthquake," will feature a psychological counseling room, disaster safety swimming pool, shared childcare center, educational and cultural classrooms, and a memory space, among other functions reflecting residents' needs. It is designed so that residents in earthquake-affected areas can access counseling, care, and educational and cultural programs all in one place.
In particular, the city has visited key central government ministries such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as the National Assembly, on numerous occasions to explain the necessity of the project, continuously advocating for institutional improvements and increased national funding. Through this cooperation with the central government, the city has created favorable conditions for advancing the project.
Additionally, through gathering residents' opinions and encouraging their participation, the Community Complex Facility Construction Project has been officially established as a key hub project for the recovery of earthquake-affected areas.
Through this initiative, the city plans to consolidate previously dispersed community recovery functions and utilize the facility as a "community recovery platform" where residents can reconnect and heal.
Mayor Lee Kangdeok stated, "The groundbreaking of this community complex facility marks an important starting point for moving beyond the pain of the earthquake toward community recovery," adding, "We will do our utmost to heal the wounds of the local community and lay the foundation for future generations to grow up safely."
Pohang City will thoroughly manage every phase of construction to ensure the project is completed safely within the planned timeframe and, after completion, will enhance the effectiveness of community recovery by operating the facility with a focus on local residents and linking various programs.
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