Mayor Lee Donghwan: "For Ilsan New Town Redevelopment, Infrastructure Comes First"...Urges Support from the Land Ministry

Mayor Lee Donghwan of Goyang Submits "13 Core Pending Issues" to MOLIT
Delivers proposal to Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoondeok at residents' meeting
Requests projects including "Extension of Incheon Subway Line 2 to Goyang" and "Extension of the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line to Ilsan"

Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, has called for full-scale support from the central government to ensure the successful redevelopment of Ilsan New Town. His position is that essential infrastructure such as roads and railways must be put in place first, going beyond merely improving the residential environment.

Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, is presenting a proposal titled '13 Major Priority Tasks', which contains the city's key issues, to Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who visited Goyang City on the 11th. Provided by Goyang Special City

Goyang Special City announced on the 12th that on the 11th it had delivered a proposal titled "13 Major Priority Tasks," which contains the city’s key pending issues, to Kim Yoondeok, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who visited Goyang to inspect the redevelopment project site of the Ilsan New Town pilot district.

At the meeting, Mayor Lee cited the early expansion of essential infrastructure such as schools, roads, and water and sewage systems as the top priority for the successful redevelopment of the first-generation new towns.

In particular, to resolve chronic traffic congestion, he strongly requested comprehensive support from the central government so that the following projects can be promptly reflected in and pursued under national plans: the extension of Incheon Subway Line 2 to Goyang; the extension of the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line to Ilsan; the construction of an underground expressway connecting Jayuro and Gangbyeonbuk-ro; the extension of the express service of Subway Line 9 to Daegok; and the extension of the Shinbundang Line.

Demands were also raised for improving long-standing regulations that hinder urban growth. Mayor Lee requested the easing of excessive overlapping regulations, including delegating to special cities the authority to lift development restriction zones (green belts), and adjusting the zoning under the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act along with allocating additional industrial area capacity.

In addition, to prevent Changneung New Town from deteriorating into a mere residential complex, he proposed measures such as expanding self-sufficient land and reducing the number of housing units, as well as creating a second lake park within the district, thereby presenting a blueprint for a future-oriented self-sufficient city where jobs and leisure coexist.

Mayor Lee Donghwan of Goyang Special City stated, "Due to various regulations, Goyang has not been able to fully realize its potential for urban growth," adding, "The 13 core pending issues we have proposed this time are essential tasks for Goyang to leap forward as a self-sufficient city, and we look forward to active review and support from the central government."

The city plans to continue close communication and cooperation with the central government and to keep up its efforts to make the leap toward becoming a self-sufficient city.