Kim Byung-nae, Nam-gu Mayor, "Strengthening Urban Competitiveness Next Year, Opening an Era of Prosperity"

The Cornerstone is the Old Downtown Rebuilding, New Industrial Complex, and Nam-gu Style New Deal Project

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Kim Byeong-nae, Mayor of Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, stated on the 24th regarding the New Year of the Ox, “We will awaken the heart of the old downtown where development has stalled, and based on the policy achievements pursued for balanced development within the district, we will strengthen urban competitiveness and open a new era of prosperity.”

He presented a grand vision to further solidify Nam-gu’s competitiveness through the urban regeneration projects in the old downtown area, which have been built over the third year of the 7th elected term, the creation of a new industrial complex in the Daechon-dong area, and the discovery of Nam-gu-type digital and green New Deal projects following the current government’s Korean New Deal initiative.

Mayor Kim Byeong-nae viewed that with the completion of the demolition of Baegun Overpass, Nam-gu has entered a new era of prosperity.

He emphasized, “One-sided urban development has limits in enhancing urban competitiveness. To solve this problem, we have refined urban development strategies and promoted large-scale New Deal projects such as Baegun Square, Yangnim-dong, and Sajik-dong. Through closing the gap between the old and new downtown areas, Nam-gu’s competitiveness will also be significantly strengthened.”

In particular, he expressed great expectations for the Baegun Square area New Deal project, which is the largest single project since the opening of Nam-gu Office with an investment of 87.9 billion KRW, the Yangnim-dong urban regeneration project to be completed in the New Year of the Ox, and the new Bangnim-dong urban regeneration project with an investment of 9.1 billion KRW.

From the beginning of the year, various projects such as the media facade of the Nam-gu Office building, a landmark of Baegun Square, the aerial walkway, and the street food zone are being promoted simultaneously. He plans to rapidly advance 10 projects including the Yangnim-dong Eoullim Center and the Youth Creative Studio and complete them within the year.

He also plans to strengthen urban competitiveness through diversification and advancement of the industrial structure.

To this end, efforts will be focused on attracting companies to two new industrial complexes, creating the Energy Valley 2nd Industrial Complex as a local industrial complex, the second relocation of public institutions from the metropolitan area, and discovering Nam-gu-type New Deal projects.

Mayor Kim Byeong-nae explained, “Attracting companies has excellent ripple effects in various areas such as job creation and revitalization of the local economy, which greatly contributes to strengthening urban competitiveness. We will build an environment conducive to corporate activities and discover creative projects in the digital and green New Deal sectors to accelerate innovative growth.”

He added that he will do his best to create a self-sufficient economic city with a population of 300,000 by actively promoting the creation of the Energy Valley 2nd Industrial Complex and the second relocation of public institutions in connection with local political circles.

Investment in living infrastructure, safety, education, and welfare will also be expanded to improve residents’ quality of life.

First, a healing forest will be newly created in Yuan Neighborhood Park, a fine dust blocking forest for residential areas to address climate change and greenhouse gas reduction will be established in Hyochon 1 District, and an indoor garden at Bitgoeul Senior Town and a barrier-free exploration trail at Mulbit Neighborhood Park will be constructed.

In addition, to strengthen the social safety net and public care, three Together Care Centers will be established within the district, and support for employment of the disabled and cultural and artistic activities will be expanded to create a happy welfare Nam-gu that considers minorities and the vulnerable.

Along with this, efforts will be made to strengthen the functions of residents’ autonomy committees and foster resident-led village communities to realize living autonomy based on responsibility and autonomy.

Mayor Kim Byeong-nae said, “Policies that do not change residents’ lives have no meaning,” and added, “We will promote highly perceptible policy projects to create a vibrant Nam-gu where all 220,000 residents can enjoy happiness in their daily lives and share dreams and hopes for the future.”

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