[Planning] "Reducing Building Greenhouse Gases"... Goyang-si Promotes Eco-Friendly Green Architecture Expansion

Since 2021, the 'Green Building Creation Support Project' has started... This year, 45 households targeted
Support for construction costs such as insulation and windows for private old houses... High satisfaction with energy savings
Establishing cooperation system with local architectural institutions and experts... Expanding the base of green buildings

Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang.

According to the 2018 greenhouse gas total emissions status in Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan), approximately 57.1% of emissions were generated from the building sector. Since building usage emits the most greenhouse gases, promoting green building policies is essential to achieve carbon neutrality goals.

Mayor Lee Dong-hwan of Goyang Special City stated, “Green buildings are recognized as successful cases that simultaneously achieve energy savings and environmental preservation,” adding, “We will continue to promote projects that contribute to improving citizens’ residential environments as well as responding to climate change.”

From Old Buildings to Green Buildings... Up to 10 Million KRW Support for 45 Households This Year

Green Building Construction Support Project Notice.

Since 2021, Goyang City has been implementing the ‘Green Building Creation Support Project’ to improve the energy performance of old houses. This year, construction was completed in August for 30 households, and a second round of applications was accepted to carry out construction for 15 additional households.

The ‘Green Building Creation Support Project’ targets detached and multi-family houses that have been approved for use under the Building Act for more than 15 years, apartment complexes with 19 or fewer households, and neighborhood living facilities with a total floor area of 660㎡ or less (only the residential parts). The construction supports include interior and exterior insulation work, replacement of airtight windows and LED lighting, and installation of hot water heating panels.

The project is announced every February on the Goyang City website and via banners. After preparing the necessary documents, applicants can apply by visiting the Architecture Policy Division at Goyang City Hall or by registered mail. The city selects final beneficiaries through the Green Building Creation Committee’s review based on evaluation indicators such as building age and size. Support recipients can receive subsidies covering up to 50% of the total construction cost, with a maximum of 10 million KRW.

Ensuring Construction Expertise and Quality Assurance through Operation of Green Building On-site Advisory Group

The appearance after window replacement.

The ‘Green Building Creation Support Project’ is conducted in cooperation with the local architectural society and the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology.

The city operates a Green Building On-site Advisory Group in collaboration with the Goyang Regional Architectural Society. When selecting project beneficiaries, the advisory group connects applicants with local architects to provide highly professional consulting. After construction is completed, on-site inspections verify whether the project was carried out as applied and ensure that the support funds are properly used.

Additionally, the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology visits households one month after construction to survey actual residential energy usage. During these visits, residents are introduced to the Carbon Neutrality Point System, which provides incentives for energy savings.

90% Satisfaction with Residential Environment Improvement... Expectation for Enhanced Energy Performance from Private to Public Buildings

Household visit for the Green Building On-site Advisory Group.

Last year, a survey was conducted on 75 households that participated in the ‘Green Building Creation Support Project’ to assess the project’s effects and satisfaction. As a result, 86% of respondents reported a decrease in energy usage such as heating and electricity bills, and 90% expressed satisfaction with improvements in their residential environment. Positive responses were also given regarding subjective questions about noise levels and living environment improvements.

Since starting the Green Building Creation Support Project in 2021, Goyang City has supported a total of 251 households with 1.335 billion KRW through this year. The city plans to continue promoting the project actively so that more citizens can benefit.

Meanwhile, the scope of green buildings is expanding to public buildings, with Baekseok Library and Daehwa Library being transformed into eco-friendly buildings. Last August, the city was selected for the ‘2023 Public Building Eco-friendly Renovation (Green Remodeling)’ contest hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, securing a total of 8.5 billion KRW in national and local government funds. Old windows, ventilation, and heating/cooling systems will be replaced to transform these buildings into green buildings that practice carbon neutrality.

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