Support for Safe Design in Dokkaebi Market, Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu

Selected for Seoul Small Business Owner Safe Design Support Project, Secured 300 Million KRW in City Funds, Additional 15 Million KRW from District... Open-Type Sales Counter Replacement and Installation Support for About 90 Stores, Market Pavement Improvement for Environmental Enhancement

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is launching a project to improve facilities in local traditional markets.

This project was selected through the '2021 Seoul Small Business Owner Safe Design Support Project' competition and aims to help increase sales for small business owners by improving facilities and the environment within traditional markets.

The target traditional market for this project is Dokkaebi Market in Gongneung-dong. Dokkaebi Market in Gongneung-dong is the largest traditional market in Nowon-gu, with an average daily foot traffic of about 2,400 people. Located near a university area, it has a high volume of passersby and is adjacent to the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, which has recently become a tourist attraction known as 'Gongridan-gil' and 'Gongtrel Park,' making it a place with high potential for revitalizing the commercial district.

The district plans to invest an additional 15 million KRW from the district budget to the 300 million KRW secured from the city through the competition, supporting the installation of open-type sales stands in about 90 stores, excluding new stores, out of 115 stores in the market.

The sales stands will be installed in five main types, maintaining overall market uniformity while considering the characteristics of each industry and store. A design stand reflecting the market’s own character and the regional features of Gongneung-dong will be introduced to develop a unique element exclusive to Dokkaebi Market.

The district expects that installing open-type sales stands will not only breathe new life into the traditional market, which has been struggling due to economic downturn and decreased sales, but also improve the working environment for merchants.

In addition, pavement construction will be carried out within the traditional markets. With an investment of 250 million KRW from the district budget, the 2,500㎡ passageway of Dokkaebi Market in Gongneung-dong and the 1,500㎡ passageway of Sanggye Central Market will be cleanly and freshly renovated.

Currently, consultations with the merchants' association are underway to select pavement designs that can enhance both the urban aesthetics and the market atmosphere, with construction scheduled to begin in November. The construction will be completed as quickly as possible to minimize business disruption for merchants and inconvenience for visitors.

Moreover, Nowon-gu has been making systematic efforts to revitalize traditional markets. In August 2020, a research project was conducted to strengthen the self-sustainability of traditional markets and local commercial districts. Based on the results, briefing sessions were held and residents’ opinions have been reflected in related projects.

Construction of a customer center and parking lot for the modernization of the traditional market is also underway. The Dokkaebi Market Customer Center, scheduled for completion in 2024, will serve as a place for harmony and exchange among merchants as well as a convenience facility and cultural space for visitors.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “Traditional markets have been greatly weakened due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. We will strive to create a safe and pleasant environment that satisfies both merchants and visitors so that traditional markets and the local economy can regain vitality.”

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