Mapo-gu Achieves 93% Implementation Rate of 7th Term Elected Mayor's Pledges... Yeongdeungpo-gu Obtains WHO Age-Friendly City Certification

[Seoul District News] Mapo-gu Unveils 5 Major District Goals and 47 Pledge Projects, Completes 32 Projects, Plans to Complete 15 More by Mid-2024... Yeongdeungpo-gu Achieves Success Following Last Year's UNICEF Child-Friendly City Certification, Promotes 33 Detailed Projects Across 10 Areas Until 2024 to Create a Livable City for All Generations... Guro-gu Offers 650 Weekend Farm Plots

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu announced on the 17th that it achieved a 93.43% implementation rate of the 7th local government administration's campaign pledges as of the end of December last year.

Following a 81% implementation rate in July last year, despite adverse conditions caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic in the second half of 2021, the rate rose by 12.43 percentage points compared to the first half, and it is expected to achieve a 100% implementation rate of the 7th local government administration's campaign pledges in the first half of this year.

To realize the 7th local government administration's slogan, "A bigger and happier Mapo through communication and innovation," the district has been carrying out a total of 47 projects in five areas: ▲A people-centered city with balanced development (6 projects) ▲A reliable city that takes responsibility for my life (17 projects) ▲A city of opportunity opening an era of North-South prosperity (8 projects) ▲An eco-friendly and safe city to live in with peace of mind (9 projects) ▲A competent city leading local autonomy (7 projects).

Among these, 32 projects have been completed, and 15 are ongoing, with no campaign pledges being suspended or discarded.

In particular, among the campaign pledges completed last year, projects that residents could tangibly feel included ▲Early completion of World Cup Bridge to resolve frequent congestion on Seongsan Bridge ▲Expansion of senior citizen centers and provision of massage chairs ▲Expansion of after-school care through Our Neighborhood Kiwoom Centers, which received great public response.

Including the Mapo-type rental housing "MH Mapo Housing," which won the grand prize at the 6th Korea Local Autonomy Policy Awards, 19 projects such as elderly care services for those with mobility difficulties, gentrification prevention measures, and revitalization of alleyway commercial districts continue to be pursued with additional goals even after achieving their initial targets.

In addition to the ongoing construction of Ahyeon 2 District parking lot with 132 spaces and Yeonnam-dong public parking lot with 96 spaces to solve the shortage of parking spaces in aging residential areas, 15 projects such as ▲Tourism industry promotion to expand tourism infrastructure ▲Expansion of jobs for the disabled are being properly implemented and are expected to be completed during the 7th local government administration.

The progress of the 7th local government administration's campaign pledges can be checked on the Mapo-gu Office website under 'Open Mayor's Office ? Keeping Promises ? Campaign Pledge Progress.'

An official from the district said, "The high implementation rate without any suspension or discard of campaign pledges was due to the hidden efforts of the staff who prioritized managing the pledges as promises to the residents," adding, "We will focus administrative power on the remaining period to ensure the 15 ongoing projects are also completed properly."

Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) announced that it has received certification as an age-friendly city from the World Health Organization (WHO) and joined the international network.

The Age-Friendly Cities International Network is a project promoted by WHO since 2006 to effectively respond to the global trends of aging and urbanization. It certifies cities that establish policies, related services, and systems to enable elderly people to live healthy and active lives and make multifaceted efforts to solve social problems arising from population aging.

The district obtained WHO age-friendly city certification following UNICEF child-friendly city certification in December last year, gaining international recognition as an inclusive welfare city where everyone from children to seniors can live well.

Yeongdeungpo-gu has already entered an aged society with over 16% of its population aged 65 or older. Facing the approach of a super-aged society, the district has made proactive preparations for changes in the community.

Last year, it established the "Ordinance on the Creation of an Age-Friendly City in Yeongdeungpo-gu" to lay a legal foundation, held forums to share international trends on aging societies with experts, and explored development directions.

It also conducted about seven months of research including policy and environmental analysis and age-friendly surveys, completing a three-year basic plan to implement a sustainable Yeongdeungpo-type age-friendly city.

Over the next three years, the district plans to pursue strategic goals such as ▲Leisure 100-year city ▲Economy 100-year city ▲Safety 100-year city ▲Health 100-year city ▲Democracy 100-year city ▲Smart 100-year city, implementing 33 detailed projects across 10 areas to meet WHO international standards.

Additionally, based on progress checks of task implementation, it will prepare a more advanced five-year mid- to long-term plan for the age-friendly city and steadily prepare for re-certification in 2025.

An official from the district said, "We will faithfully implement strategic projects to realize a sustainable age-friendly city and actively respond to aging and urbanization issues based on cooperative networks with domestic and international member cities," adding, "We will do our best to create a community where not only seniors but all generations can enjoy a happy life throughout their lifetime."

Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Sung) is leasing weekend farms.

Guro-gu announced on the 17th, "We operate weekend farms to provide residents with healthy leisure activities and opportunities to experience rural life."

The weekend farms are established in five areas around Gung-dong. A total of 650 plots are available for lease, with each household able to use one plot (16㎡, approximately 5 pyeong). The usage fee is 60,000 KRW per year.

Among them, 550 plots at Gung-dong 4, 53-2, 70-1, and 62 are open for application by residents aged 19 or older living in Guro-gu or workers in the area, while 100 plots at 59 are available for application by communities such as daycare centers and welfare institutions.

Guro-gu lends simple farming tools such as shovels, hoes, hand rakes, and watering cans free of charge to residents and has installed rest areas including benches and Mongolian tents. It also plans to operate an urban farmer's market where residents can sell or barter crops they have grown themselves.

Those who wish to lease a plot can apply through the district office website's news section from the 21st to the 25th of this month. Guro-gu will select recipients by random computerized drawing and announce the results on March 4.

Guro-gu said, "We hope residents will heal their bodies and minds tired from COVID-19 by experiencing harvesting agricultural products they have grown themselves at the weekend farms."

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