Gwangmyeong Records Lowest 'Living Infrastructure Desertification' Rate in Gyeonggi at 10.5%

Even Distribution of Hospitals, Supermarkets, and Sports Facilities Improves Accessibility
Park Seungwon: "Balanced Development Policy for New and Old Districts Proves Effective"

In urban living environments, the distribution of infrastructure is just as important a metric as the quantity. Even if there is a large amount of infrastructure, if it is concentrated in specific areas, accessibility decreases for residents in outlying regions.

The Gyeonggi Research Institute recently evaluated the 'physical desertification' of living infrastructure in 31 cities and counties within the province in a report titled "Our Neighborhood Is Becoming a Desert." According to the assessment, Gwangmyeong recorded the lowest rate of 'physical desertification' at 10.5%.

'Physical desertification' refers to the phenomenon where large areas lack basic living facilities such as hospitals and supermarkets, as well as convenience facilities like gyms and private academies, making it difficult for residents to access essential daily services. A lower value for this indicator means that the city structure allows citizens to utilize a variety of services within close proximity to their homes.

The research results show that Gwangmyeong has a relatively even distribution of living infrastructure across the city, rather than being concentrated in specific areas.

The city cited its policy focus on strengthening a neighborhood-centered urban structure as the reason for its low desertification rate. It explained that, aiming for balanced development between new and old districts, it has managed urban redevelopment and reconstruction processes to ensure that residential functions and living convenience facilities are established together.

In particular, the city explained that it has promoted policies to foster local commercial districts and revitalize neighborhood-based businesses, enabling community-focused facilities such as local hospitals, supermarkets, sports facilities, and childcare centers to settle throughout the region. This has helped alleviate the phenomenon of living infrastructure being concentrated only in specific hubs.

The city added that improving mobility through a dense public transportation network and wide-area transit connections also contributed to lowering the desertification rate. By operating a semi-public bus system to provide stable public transportation services, reorganizing bus routes to reflect changing demand due to redevelopment and reconstruction, and establishing smart bus stops, the city has enhanced access to living infrastructure.

Park Seungwon, Mayor of Gwangmyeong, said, "These research results show that our policy for balanced development between new and old districts is working effectively on the ground," adding, "We will continue to reduce blind spots in living infrastructure so that every citizen can access the services they need close to home."