Gwanak-gu Launches Consulting Service for Revitalizing Alleyway Commercial Districts

Specialized Operators Deployed to 10 Local Markets by Region for Customized Consulting... Full Support for Establishing Market Foundations Including Merchant Associations, Market Brand Development, and Marketing Projects

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Junhee) is promoting the "Consulting Service for Organizing Gwanak-gu Alley Commercial Districts and Improving the Business Environment" to ensure the sustainable development of alley commercial districts, which are the livelihood bases of local merchants.

The alley commercial district consulting service will begin with supporting merchant organization, followed by merchant capacity-building education and store-by-store consulting to strengthen individual competitiveness. A vision workshop will be conducted to establish a long-term master plan reflecting the vision pursued by merchants, thereby enhancing self-sustainability and helping the commercial districts grow into sustainable business areas.

Additionally, brands tailored to the characteristics of the alley commercial districts will be developed for use in guide signs and promotional materials. Various marketing projects such as events and specialized businesses will be planned and supported to revitalize the alley commercial districts, which have been stagnant due to COVID-19.

The service period is six months from April to September. To increase focus and effectiveness, 10 alley commercial districts are divided into four zones: ▲ Sillim-ro 11-gil (Daehak-dong), Haengun-gil (Haengun-dong) ▲ Nakseongdae Station Road (Inheon-dong), Jungang-gil (Jungang-dong), Cheongnyong-gil (Cheongnyong-dong) ▲ Dangok-gil (Boramae-dong), Sillim-dong-gil (Sillim-dong), Sillim-ro 28-gil (Seorim-dong) ▲ Nambusunhwan-ro 151-gil (Sinsa-dong), Jowon Jungang-ro 2-gil (Jowon-dong), with specialized contractors assigned to each zone.

The district plans to thoroughly prepare for smooth project implementation by holding outreach meetings with merchants and residents in the respective alley commercial districts by the end of April to provide project information and encourage participation, while listening carefully to the voices of residents.

In addition to the consulting service, various infrastructure projects such as ▲ road paving with distinctive designs ▲ signboard improvement projects supporting LED sign replacements ▲ artterior projects supporting design improvements of stores and products through local artists will be promoted, expected to create synergy with the alley commercial district revitalization projects.

Meanwhile, last year, the district conducted a "Research Service for Revitalizing Gwanak-gu Local Commercial Districts," shifting away from traditional market and shopping street-centered support to focus on revitalizing alley commercial districts, which are the foundation of small business owners and the local economy.

Also, 10 representative alley commercial districts were selected by zone, and activation plans tailored to the characteristics of each commercial district were established as the "Gwanak-gu Zone-based Alley Commercial District Revitalization Plan."

This year marks the full-scale implementation of these projects, with a total budget of 5.5 billion KRW invested in various projects such as merchant organization, business environment improvement, and infrastructure development, making every effort to revitalize the local economy, which has been challenged by COVID-19.

Mayor Park Junhee said, "Through this project, we hope to create a unique alley commercial district in Gwanak-gu that satisfies small business owners and residents and provides some help to merchants struggling due to COVID-19." He added, "We will continue to focus all administrative efforts on various projects to strengthen the self-sustainability of local commercial districts and help them grow into sustainable alley commercial districts."

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