Innovation in Education, Welfare, and Transportation
“Hanam Life Changing in 2026” Set to Launch
From Local Libraries to Easing Traffic Congestion
On February 2, Hanam City in Gyeonggi Province announced “Hanam Life Changing in 2026,” which includes 71 projects across 7 sectors that will revolutionize the daily lives of its citizens in 2026. This policy goes beyond simply achieving administrative indicators and is focused on driving tangible changes that citizens can feel in areas such as education, welfare, economy, and transportation.
Hanam City announced on the 2nd the "Hanam Life Changing in 2026," which includes 71 projects across 7 sectors that will revolutionize the daily lives of its citizens in 2026. Provided by Hanam City
Becoming an 'Education-Specialized City' Ideal for Raising Children
The most notable change is the significant expansion of childcare and educational infrastructure. In October, a children’s library will be completed in Mangwol-dong, and in Pungsan-dong, the construction of a children’s traffic park (scheduled for March) and a children’s center (targeted for 2027) is accelerating. The children’s traffic park in Pungsan-dong, to be established in March, and the Cheonmasan Children’s Forest Playground, to be completed in August, will offer children a safe play environment in nature.
In particular, the “Hanam Citizens’ Day” program stands out, allowing Hanam citizens to visit KidZania Seoul at a 50% discount on the last Monday of every month.
Policies to ease the childcare burden for dual-income couples will also be strengthened. On the first floor of the Misa 3-dong Complex Government Building, which will be completed in April this year, the “Momdaero A+ Playground” will begin operation in May to fill childcare gaps.
Additionally, the establishment of the Hanam Education Support Office will be pursued within the year, and Hanhol Middle School, with 31 classes, will open in March. The 100,000 won admission support fund for elementary school students will serve as a driving force to boost Hanam’s educational competitiveness. The city’s intention to create a comprehensive childcare environment is reflected in the increase of meal support for undernourished children (10,000 won per meal) and the expansion of child care support services.
Hanam City announced on the 2nd the "Hanam Life Changing in 2026," which includes 71 projects across 7 sectors that will revolutionize the daily lives of its citizens in 2026. Provided by Hanam City
“Reliable Companionship in Old Age”… Support for the Transportation Disadvantaged and a Robust Welfare Network
The welfare network to prepare for a super-aged society will become even more detailed. Notably, transportation support policies to guarantee the mobility rights of seniors have been expanded. Starting this year, the scope of support has been extended beyond existing public transportation to include voucher taxis and special transportation for the mobility disadvantaged. Socialization programs for seniors, centered around the Misa Senior Welfare Center, have been greatly expanded to 59 courses.
The city will not be limited to simple financial support but will also strengthen job and social activity support projects for seniors to enhance their quality of life. Early dementia screening and customized health management services, centered on public health centers, will be linked to create an environment where seniors can enjoy healthy aging in their own communities. In particular, the “Universal Care Project,” which will be implemented from February, aims to realize a “Warm Hanam” free of welfare blind spots by providing customized services worth up to 1.5 million won per year to households with mobility difficulties.
“A City That Never Lets Go of Learning”… From Lifelong Learning Counseling to Content
The lifelong learning environment will be reorganized so that anyone, regardless of age, can have opportunities for growth. Starting in March, the city will expand the regional lifelong learning counseling system to 10 locations, helping citizens receive timely guidance on the educational programs they need. The online integrated education platform “Hilearn” aims to provide over 8,000 pieces of content to support the capacity building of each citizen.
Customized courses for each stage of life, such as senior digital education and middle-aged reemployment programs, have been established to enhance the effectiveness of lifelong learning. The Hanam Lifelong Learning Portal, revamped in January, offers more than 1,700 courses linked with Gyeonggi Province’s “GSEEK” platform. With these initiatives, any Hanam citizen can continue their desired learning anytime and anywhere, making the vision of “Learning City Hanam” a reality.
“The Pillar of the Livelihood Economy”… Expansion of Local Currency and Reduction of Household Burdens
Policies to protect citizens’ wallets in this era of high inflation will be further strengthened. From January, the holding and purchase limit of the local currency “Hanamoney” has been raised to 2 million won, and the threshold for merchant registration has been lowered to include businesses with annual sales of up to 3 billion won, aiming to boost small business sales and ease consumer burdens. The water bill reduction for multi-child families will be expanded from July, allowing for a discount of up to 15 tons (14,590 won per month) depending on the number of children, thereby contributing to a tangible reduction in household expenses.
The expansion of the Youth Culture and Arts Pass, which provides 150,000 won annually to 19- and 20-year-olds, and the increase in the living wage (from 10,940 won to 11,210 won) will support stable living conditions.
Hanam City announced on the 2nd the "Hanam Life Changing in 2026," which includes 71 projects across 7 sectors that will revolutionize the daily lives of its citizens in 2026. Provided by Hanam City
“Unblocking Congested Roads and Enhancing Safety”… Transportation Innovations That Give Time Back to Citizens
The city will focus its administrative resources on alleviating traffic congestion and ensuring pedestrian safety. The Bangadari-gil connecting road, which opened on January 1, along with the expansion of Seondong IC and Seobu-ro, will relieve chronic congestion points. The undergrounding of overhead power lines in the old downtown, starting with the completion of the Sinjang Traditional Market section in March, will provide a pleasant pedestrian environment.
The elevator at Gam-il 1 Overpass, to be completed in June, and the Beolmalcheon pedestrian bridge, scheduled to open in the first half of the year, will maximize walking convenience for residents. The installation of manhole fall prevention facilities and the sewer odor reduction project at Sinjang Traditional Market (scheduled for completion in December) will ensure both safety and comfort for citizens. The city’s transportation philosophy of reducing the time citizens spend on the road and returning precious moments to families stands out.
Lee Hyunchae, Mayor of Hanam, stated, “Hanam Life Changing in 2026 is the result of considering what is most needed from the citizens’ perspective,” adding, “We will do our utmost to ensure that all 71 projects naturally become a part of citizens’ daily lives.”
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