Completion of 'Yeoja District Urban Development Project,' the New Heart of Jinhae Western Area

Plan to Develop Advanced Industrial Research Complex on 99,000 Pyeong Site

Aerial perspective rendering of 'Jinhae Advanced Industrial Research Complex' in Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam. [Image source=Changwon-si]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] The long-awaited project in the western area of Jinhae-gu, Changwon, has completed preparations to become a new driving force for regional development after four years.

On the 17th, Changwon City, Gyeongnam, completed the 'Yeoja District Urban Development Project' and held a major business briefing session with research institutions moving in from December.

The event was attended by Mayor Heo Seong-mu, Chairman Kim Ha-yong of the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council, representatives from the Agency for Defense Development, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Small and Medium Shipbuilding Research Institute, Gyeongnam Technopark, Changwon Industry Promotion Agency, Korea Asset Management Corporation, and about 300 local residents.

The Jinhae Yeoja District Urban Development Project was designated as an urban development zone following the lifting of the development restriction zone in August 2017, with construction starting in February 2018 and site formation and infrastructure works completed in November.

The city aims to attract a concentrated influx of talented young people to promote balanced development and economic revitalization in the western area of Jinhae-gu by creating large-scale research facility sites, as well as education, sports, and office facility sites. It has successfully attracted five innovative research institutions in key local industries, including the Korea Institute of Materials Science, Small and Medium Shipbuilding Research Institute, and the Agency for Defense Development’s Marine Technology Research Institute.

Additionally, to improve the educational environment in the western area, the city plans to establish an integrated Jinhae Middle School in cooperation with the Gyeongnam Office of Education, and improve living conditions for local residents by creating the National Health Insurance Corporation, Yeoja-dong Administrative Welfare Center, and National Sports Center.

The research complex was named 'Jinhae Advanced Industrial Research Complex' through a public contest for citizens, and prize money was awarded to the winners at the commemorative ceremony held that day.

The research complex, covering a total area of 327,291㎡ (99,179 pyeong), will see the Korea Institute of Materials Science invest 596.7 billion KRW to develop a comprehensive demonstration research complex for advanced materials research and commercialization on a 78,080㎡ site.

The Agency for Defense Development’s Marine Technology Research Institute will invest 87.9 billion KRW on a 23,273㎡ site to establish the 'Advanced Warship Research Center' by 2026.

It plans to build world-class open research testing facilities and a marine defense industry cooperation center to support technology development and advancement of local small and medium-sized enterprises related to the defense industry.

The Small and Medium Shipbuilding Research Institute is promoting the 'Small and Medium Special Ship Advancement Support Platform Construction Project,' selected in May this year by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

With a budget of 28 billion KRW on a 10,613㎡ site, it will establish 18 types of reliability and performance evaluation equipment related to special ships such as patrol boats and unmanned vessels, supporting business diversification and technology assistance for small and medium shipbuilding companies.

Gyeongnam Technopark will invest 48.1 billion KRW on a 14,324㎡ site to build the 'Power Unit Commercialization Support Center' and the 'Gas Turbine Manufacturing Technology Support Center.' Through these, it plans to promote material and component testing and analysis, commercialization support, and professional workforce training projects.

The Changwon Industry Promotion Agency will build a 'Public Rental Knowledge Industry Center' as office space for companies collaborating with research institutions moving into the research complex.

On a 9,628㎡ site with a total budget of 28.4 billion KRW, 68 companies including technology startups and corporate research institutes are expected to move in.

These institutions plan to begin construction mostly in the first half of next year, starting with the groundbreaking of the Agency for Defense Development’s Advanced Warship Research Center in December.

In addition, an 'Energy Park,' a demonstration space for renewable energy supply such as hydrogen and eco-friendly future mobility dissemination, will be created. Approximately 24.7% of the total area will be developed into neighborhood parks and scenic green spaces, open to citizens, providing the highest level of residential environment in the region.

Mayor Heo Seong-mu said, "With innovative research institutions concentrated in a research complex spanning over 99,000 pyeong, the influx of high-level research resources and job creation centered on creative talent will be the driving force for regional economic revitalization."

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