The Strong Sail of National Wando Subtropical Arboretum Development, Notable Ripple Effects

Published 13 Oct.2021 09:48(KST)

Economic Impact of 1.2 Trillion KRW, Creation of Over 17,000 Jobs

National Subtropical Arboretum Project Site, Wando Arboretum View ⓒ Asia Economy

[Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] At the end of last year, Wando-gun was selected as the site for the establishment of the National Subtropical Arboretum, with 100% national funding and approximately 190 billion KRW to be invested by 2025.

According to Wando-gun on the 13th, the annual number of visitors is expected to be 850,000 when the arboretum opens, but it is anticipated to far exceed that figure. The economic effect is estimated at 1.2 trillion KRW, with an employment inducement effect of about 17,000 jobs, indicating a tremendous impact on the region.

As this is a large-scale national project with significant expected benefits, Wando-gun is accelerating preparations for the establishment of the National Subtropical Arboretum.

In July, a service report meeting was held to prepare for the feasibility evaluation of the National Subtropical Arboretum, and in October, the Korea Forest Service, Jeollanam-do, and Wando-gun plan to sign a business agreement to ensure smooth project promotion.

The National Subtropical Arboretum is planned to be developed as a Living Museum, setting the direction as a "living museum," going beyond the traditional functions of an arboretum such as plant collection, exhibition, and utilization, to evolve into cultural facilities like museums, art galleries, and science centers.

This reflects Wando-gun’s opinion, considering the high proportion of children, adolescents, and young adults in the populations of Jeollanam-do and nearby Gwangju Metropolitan City, aiming to set them as the main users and operate related specialized facilities and educational programs to serve as a platform for nurturing local talent.

Going forward, five specialized zones will be promoted within the 400-hectare Wando Arboretum site: exhibition and viewing zone, service and education zone, conservation and restoration zone, research and support zone, and back support facilities.

In particular, the exhibition and viewing zone, the focal point, will be equipped with various spaces including an education-specialized theme garden, a winter garden filled with evergreen subtropical species throughout the four seasons, Jangbogo Garden, Wando Holly Garden, Treetop Eco Road, and a musical fountain.

Additionally, the largest glass greenhouse in the nation and a mountain train circulating the vast arboretum will be installed.

Furthermore, Wando-gun plans to develop the arboretum as a public benefit space, a complex leisure space, and an environment that grows alongside residents.

A local food street selling traditional foods made from ingredients produced in Wando will be created to increase residents’ income, and nearby idle farmland will be transformed into cultivation sites for landscaping trees and flowers to supply the arboretum, with plans to launch resident-led agricultural flower cooperatives.

Governor Shin Woo-cheol said, “The National Subtropical Arboretum will be a major driving force for revitalizing the local economy,” adding, “We will do our best to promote the project so that the National Subtropical Arboretum, linked with the marine healing industry, will develop Wando into a healing hub encompassing forests and the sea, and become a representative arboretum of Northeast Asia, allowing the public to enjoy its value.”