Seoul's Mountainous and Natural Parks to Be Managed as 'Urban Natural Park Zones'

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] The Seoul Metropolitan Government will designate and manage mountainous and natural parks as 'Urban Natural Park Zones.'

On the 29th, Seoul held the 5th Urban Planning Committee meeting and announced on the 30th that it had approved a revised proposal for the urban management plan (urban planning facilities, zoning) to designate Urban Natural Park Zones.

This urban management plan is part of the 'Basic Plan to Respond to the Expiration of Long-term Unexecuted Urban Parks' announced in April 2018. It underwent public hearings with residents and related organizations, reviews by the Urban Park Subcommittee of the Urban Planning Committee, consultations with the City Council, and coordination with central government ministries before being finally submitted to the Urban Planning Committee.

At this Urban Planning Committee meeting, revisions reflecting changes in circumstances after the public inspection of the urban management plan (draft) were incorporated. The city will manage existing urban planning facilities (74 locations, approximately 108㎢) by designating mountainous and natural parks as Urban Natural Park Zones (68 locations, approximately 70㎢).

This urban management plan is scheduled to be officially decided and announced in June. Seoul plans to establish the 'Seoul Urban Park Creation and Management (Operation) Plan' (tentative name) to comprehensively manage urban planning facilities (parks) and Urban Natural Park Zones.

Kwon Ki-wook, Director of the Seoul Urban Planning Bureau, emphasized, "The decision on this urban management plan fulfills the promise for the next 100 years declared in the 'Seoul Urban Planning Charter' and reflects Seoul's careful consideration and efforts to preserve the natural environment intact for future generations." He added, "We expect Seoul to become a city that conserves the natural environment where citizens can easily experience nature in their daily lives."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.