Lee Byung-hoon "Creating a Turning Point for the Revival of Commercial Districts in the Underdeveloped Old Downtown of Gwangju"

Ministry of SMEs and Startups Selects Gwangju Dong-gu as Final Winner of 'Commercial Renaissance Project'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] A new turning point has been established for the revival of the commercial district in the deteriorated old downtown area of Gwangju.

On the 31st, according to Lee Byung-hoon, Member of the National Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea·Gwangju Dongnam-gu Eul), Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, was recently selected as the final candidate for the government’s ‘Commercial District Renaissance Project’ led by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

The ‘Commercial District Renaissance Project’ is promoted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups nationwide to revitalize deteriorated commercial districts and revive local commercial areas.

If selected, the project will receive a budget of 8 billion KRW along with various national supports. This year, five local governments nationwide were selected, and Dong-gu was the only one selected in the Honam region.

Assemblyman Lee has been consulting with local residents to secure the selection of this project, showing particular interest in the formation and activity direction of the residents’ council for project promotion.

From the early stages of planning, a consultation table was established so that experts, administrative officials, and residents could discuss and formulate the project plan together. Residents, experts, administration, and legislative bodies cooperated to establish a special strategy to revive the old downtown commercial district.

Additionally, Dong-gu appointed a cultural field expert as an open-position administrative team leader for this project and secured expertise by incorporating experts in metaverse and smart system construction into the team.

The role of the commercial merchants’ association was also significant. The focus of the project evaluation was on ‘how much the commercial district residents are striving for the success of the project.’

Residents of Chungjang-ro 1·2-ga and 3·4-ga put aside past conflicts and united their efforts for the selection of this project and the revival of the Chungjang-ro Geumnam-ro commercial district.

In this process, Assemblyman Lee is reported to have met with merchants alternately, persuading them to cooperate and leading the creation of a new commercial organization to promote the project.

Assemblyman Lee said, “It feels like a long-cherished wish has been fulfilled, and I am glad to be able to deliver new hope to the commercial district residents,” adding, “The selection for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ Renaissance Project is the result of the combined efforts of residents, experts, administration, and legislative bodies.”

He also stated, “The answer lies in the alleyway commercial districts. The solution to urban regeneration in Gwangju’s old downtown depends on how creatively the alleyway commercial districts are revitalized,” and added, “It is important how artificial intelligence, the creative power of the Asia Culture Center, and other elements can be applied at a micro level to alleyway commercial districts. For example, how young makers, creators in the metaverse, and E-sports can be connected to commercial district revitalization.”

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