Changwon Mayor Hong Nam-pyo Visits Japan to Explore Global Urban Regeneration Trends

Nam-pyo Hong, the Mayor of Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam, visited Japan from July 30 for three days along with Chairman Tae-hwa Son and other members of the Changwon City Council leadership. The purpose of the trip was to observe exemplary cases of port and compact city development, such as Yokohama's "Minato Mirai 21," Tokyo's "Roppongi Hills," and the "Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building," in order to apply these insights to Changwon's urban regeneration projects.

Hong Nampyo, Changwon Special Mayor, Conducts Short-Term Inspection in Japan to Incorporate Global Urban Regeneration Trends.

This visit was arranged after Mayor Hong accepted a proposal made by Councilor Tae-hwa Son (currently the chairman) during a city council session on June 20. Son suggested that they jointly examine the Roppongi case in Japan to proactively address local issues such as the development of Masan Marine New City and urban hollowing-out.

For their first stop, Mayor Hong and the delegation visited Yokohama's "Minato Mirai 21." As one of Japan's most prominent mixed-use development zones, it is recognized as a global model of successful urban regeneration, having transformed into both an economic center and a major tourist destination.

In Japanese, "Minato" means port and "Mirai" means future. This area integrates office buildings, commercial facilities, hotels, amusement parks, museums, and other cultural venues, attracting over 50 million visitors annually. It is regarded as a role model for current port development and urban regeneration projects in Korea, and as an important case study for the future direction of city planning.

Next, the delegation visited Tokyo's Roppongi Hills, a comprehensive development project that integrates residential, commercial, cultural, and office spaces. The design allows people to work, shop, and enjoy leisure activities all in one place, effectively responding to a shrinking society and fostering community through connections with local community centers. Amid the global trend toward compact cities rather than urban sprawl, Roppongi Hills is considered to possess all the key elements of a successful compact city.

During the trip, Mayor Hong carefully examined various sites to find ways to revitalize the declining old downtown areas of Masan and Changwon. He also actively exchanged ideas with experts who were directly involved in designing these urban plans.

Mayor Hong stated, "It was a very meaningful activity to visit exemplary sites overseas with Chairman Tae-hwa Son and several council members to address Changwon's challenges. Through our inspections of Yokohama and Roppongi Hills, we shared solutions for urban regeneration that restore the public value of the sea in Masan Bay and Jinhae Bay?areas with the sea but without accessible waterfronts?and respond to the era of global contraction."

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