Busan City Creates 'Ssamji Forest' Using Savings from Toll Road Fees

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Yoseop] Busan City is undertaking the ‘Ssamji Forest Creation Project’ to transform leftover village spaces into forests. The budget utilizes 1.6 billion KRW saved from toll fees during last year’s Lunar New Year holiday.

According to Busan City on the 15th, Ssamji Forests make use of leftover spaces within residential areas, enhancing space utilization and contributing to improved green services that allow citizens to enjoy a green environment in their daily lives, resulting in high citizen satisfaction.

Ssamji Forests are not simply spaces for local residents to rest but are ‘spaces for coexistence between people and nature’ that also help solve environmental issues such as fine dust reduction and urban heat island mitigation.

From design to construction, residents’ opinions were fully reflected, and currently, 10 out of a total of 11 sites have been completed. The remaining site, Seogu Gobundori Ssamji Forest, will be completed by the end of this month. Among these, seven sites were created mainly in the western Busan area where toll roads are located, adhering to the principle that ‘citizens’ taxes should be used for citizens.’

Park Gilsung, head of the Busan City Park Operations Division, said, “We are making efforts to expand urban forests in various fields,” and added, “We will continue to take the lead in creating a green city Busan by utilizing various financial resources.”

Jurae Train Track Ssamsi Forest in Sasang-gu, Busan (Photo by Busan City)

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