Differentiated Projects Utilizing Local Resources in Songjeong, Balhan, and Samhwa Districts
Highly Praised for Project Planning and Establishing a Resident Participation-Based Model
Donghae City in Gangwon Province (Mayor Shim Kyueon) has received an institutional commendation in the field of urban regeneration from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, in recognition of its creative and proactive administration tailored to local conditions through urban regeneration projects.
This award is presented to outstanding local governments that have contributed to the advancement of national land and transport work. Donghae City was highly praised for its differentiated project planning utilizing local resources and for establishing an operational model based on resident participation during the urban regeneration project process.
Focusing on the Samhwa, Songjeong, and Balhan districts, Donghae City has implemented customized urban regeneration projects that reflect local characteristics. In particular, the city introduced an innovative urban regeneration model that combines AI technology, cultural content, and resident participation, aiming for sustainable development and revitalization of the local economy.
The Samhwa district pursued a stay-type market platform, Songjeong district focused on a commercial district-centered approach, and Balhan district implemented a regeneration project based on a strategy that fuses AI technology and culture, each leveraging the unique characteristics of their respective areas.
In the Samhwa district, the "Samhwa Saturday Market" was held ten times to revitalize the Samhwa Market and invigorate the local economy by attracting external visitors, such as tourists to Mureung Valley. The implementation of a resident participation-based commercial district regeneration model, led by the residents' council and cooperatives, was particularly notable.
In the Songjeong district, programs such as "Friday Night Songjeong" were operated based on specialized resources like Donghae Port and Donghae Station, attracting young people and family visitors. The development of products using local specialty dried pollack and the regeneration of alleyway commercial districts led to a vibrant restoration of the local business area.
In the Balhan district, the historical value of Mukho Port was reinterpreted in a modern context, and the "Saturday O-Sam Festival" was held, utilizing squid, the area's representative fishery resource. Festival programs themed around O-Sam Bulgogi attracted more than 500 visitors each time, contributing to the economic revitalization of the Balhan district. The introduction of AI technology provided experiences such as photo restoration and music composition, creating an emotional connection point for both residents and tourists.
Donghae City actively utilized AI technology to present innovative cultural content, such as village music composition and photo restoration, offering a new direction for urban regeneration projects. Healing photo zones were installed in Samhwa district, Mukho Star Village, and Balhan district to provide emotional recovery and experiential opportunities, while SNS-based promotional efforts encouraged increased visitor inflow.
Shim Kyueon, Mayor of Donghae City, stated, "This ministerial commendation demonstrates that our urban regeneration model, which successfully combines resident participation, advanced technology, and local culture, has firmly taken root beyond simply improving urban infrastructure. We will continue to make Donghae City a better place to live through sustainable urban regeneration policies."
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