Goheung-gun Secures 20 Billion Won for Urban Regeneration New Deal Public Contest Project

‘Dasi Banjjagineun Byeol, Goheung’ Where Tradition and Culture Shine Together

Creating Hub Spaces for Complex Community Centers and Revitalizing Alleyway Commercial Areas

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Goheung County is facing an urgent need to devise revitalization plans for the central commercial district of Goheung-eup as the relocation of public institutions, including the county office, to the outskirts has caused the local core business area to decline.

On the 5th, Jeonnam Goheung County announced that it has been selected for the Urban Regeneration New Deal contest project to breathe new life into the old downtown area of Goheung-eup, securing a total project budget of 20 billion KRW.

The Goheung-eup urban regeneration project focuses on enhancing regional competitiveness through revitalization of the old downtown under the vision of "A Star Shining Again, Goheung," emphasizing the creation of new jobs and improving residents' quality of life through community restoration.

Goheung-eup’s urban area has been formed around public facilities such as the county office, registry office, and education office used for decades, residential areas established since the early Joseon period, and commercial districts including the traditional Goheung market.

However, due to continuous population decline over the past 20 years, vacant and abandoned houses have appeared, leading to deterioration of the residential environment.

In response, since the second half of 2019, the county has conducted surveys targeting about 600 residents in the project area and operated an urban regeneration university to identify various local issues. Through continuous consultation with urban regeneration experts, the basic direction of the Goheung-eup urban regeneration project was established.

The county opened an Urban Regeneration Support Center and formed a promotion council to build governance within the region for smooth project implementation.

Additionally, by signing memorandums of understanding with 12 private organizations to establish a public-private cooperation system, the county made systematic and strategic preparations, achieving the great success of attracting the contest project from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The main project contents include purchasing long-neglected aging commercial buildings and vacant houses to create ▲ customized welfare and communication spaces for each household ▲ startup incubation programs for prospective entrepreneurs ▲ a complex community center serving as a space for interaction among all ages.

Upon completion of the urban regeneration project, it is expected to provide residents with a safe and convenient living environment, revitalize alleyway commercial districts through support for startup activities, and give birth to a new resident-centered city through community restoration.

County Governor Song Guigeun said, “This contest project selection is the result of residents’ participation and passion, and it is expected to be a good opportunity to breathe new life into the old downtown area of Goheung-eup,” adding, “We will make every effort to ensure the project’s success so that all residents can enjoy a happy Goheung-eup.”

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