Jongno-gu Changsin Living Commercial Area Revitalization Project Kicks Off

On the 12th, Opening Ceremony of 'Changsin Saenghwal Sangkwon Promotion Committee Office Space' Held... Selected as Final Target for Seoul City's 'Saenghwal Sangkwon Development Project'... Receiving 3 Billion KRW Support and Promoting Various Projects to Revitalize Local Economy

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) opened the office space of the Changsin Living Commercial Area Promotion Committee (55 Changsin-gil) on the 12th to revitalize the neighborhood economy and officially launch the Living Commercial Area Development Project.

This follows Jongno-gu being finally selected as the target site for the 'Living Commercial Area Development Project' announced by Seoul City in July this year.

The district is receiving a total budget of 3 billion KRW over three years until 2022 and is implementing various projects to invigorate the local economy in the Changsin-dong area.

According to the city, 7 out of 10 self-employed businesses in Seoul are located in 'living commercial areas' that residents can access within about 10 minutes on foot. However, due to changes in living environments such as online shopping and competition from large franchise corporations and big marts, their monthly sales are lower than the average for all self-employed businesses in Seoul, causing difficulties.

Therefore, Jongno-gu aims to boost the competitiveness of shopping districts so that residents' consumption and leisure activities can take place within the local commercial area, thereby revitalizing the local economy.

From November last year to June 2020, as part of a pilot project, the 'Changsin Living Commercial Area Revitalization Promotion Committee' was formed, consisting of small business owners in Changsin Alley Market, social economy and village organizations, residents, and various economic actors in the region. Numerous meetings and resident briefings were held.

Additionally, a 'Community Store' was operated, integrating living services needed by residents such as umbrella rentals, printers, and restroom use. The project also discovered 'Handmade Stores' where shop owners personally prepare food using domestic agricultural products as main ingredients and season them with natural seasonings.

To carry out the project more professionally, the district formed a dedicated team and reorganized the promotion committee. Until 2022, they plan to induce consumption, restore relationships among local members based on economic activities, and strive to nurture resident activists.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong said, “The Changsin Living Commercial Area Development Project is a good example of participatory administration where residents take the lead in discovering business items, participating in operations, and conducting final evaluations and feedback themselves.” He added, “We will continue to implement policies to support local small business owners and overcome the current crisis caused by COVID-19.”

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