Goyang City Faces Three Budget Cuts... Public Arboretum Project Fails to Take First Step

Goyang’s Public Arboretum Project Stalls in the City Center
Budget Cuts of 270 Million Won Delay Urban Forest for Plant Conservation and Recreation
Project Requires Over Six Years... Expected to Provide Educational and Experiential Spaces Upon Completion

The public arboretum project that Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) aimed to create as a green healing space within the city has not even taken its first step, due to three rounds of budget cuts.

Exterior view of Goyang Special City Hall. Provided by Goyang Special City.

Goyang Special City established a plan to create a public arboretum with the goals of conserving tree genetic resources and providing forest leisure and experiential spaces for citizens. The city allocated a total budget of 270 million won over three occasions?during the second supplementary budget in 2023, the main budget for 2024, and the first supplementary budget in 2024?for basic planning and feasibility studies. However, all of these proposals were rejected.

Establishing an arboretum is a long-term project that requires at least six years, involving gathering feedback from local residents, selecting a site, obtaining permits, land compensation, groundbreaking, and registration. However, the project has stalled at the very first step of basic planning services, making it impossible to predict when Goyang’s first arboretum will be established.

Goyang Special City possesses a diverse ecological environment, including Bukhansan, Goboongsan, and Hwangryongsan. The city undertakes afforestation projects and forest management of over 100 hectares annually and holds tree-planting events to plant various species, striving for sustainable forest resource development. However, there is a lack of space to conduct research on these resources.

Goyang Special City plans to establish an arboretum covering approximately 100 hectares, including more than 1,000 species of trees, and to equip it with propagation and cultivation facilities, exhibition spaces, and amenities for citizens. Through this, the city expects to conduct systematic research on the accumulated plant genetic resources, engage in joint research and resource exchange with domestic and international arboreta, and pursue multifaceted cooperation.

Additionally, Goyang Special City plans to create a differentiated arboretum that reflects the unique characteristics of the region by linking it with waterfront resources such as Changneungcheon and Gongneungcheon, aiming to develop it as a tourism resource that meets the demand for forest recreation. Among these, Changneungcheon was selected for the Ministry of Environment’s Integrated River Project in 2022, and Gongneungcheon was chosen for Gyeonggi Province’s Low-Carbon Waterfront Park Project last year, increasing the likelihood of linkage.

An arboretum utilizing urban forests can operate a variety of experiential and educational programs, such as children’s forest interpretation and wood culture experiences, and is also highly effective in reducing fine dust in response to the climate crisis. According to the Korea Forest Service, a single tree absorbs about 35 grams of fine dust annually, and 1 hectare of urban forest can remove 168 kilograms of pollutants.

Currently, there are a total of 10 public arboreta operating in Gyeonggi Province, 8 of which are located in the southern region. If an arboretum is established in Goyang, it is expected to serve as a green hub in northern Gyeonggi and have a positive impact on balanced regional development.

An official from Goyang Special City stated, "We are reviewing potential sites from various perspectives to provide citizens with nature-friendly and differentiated forest culture and recreation facilities," and added, "We will re-request the budget for basic planning and feasibility studies in the second supplementary budget this year and prepare a plan for an arboretum that can enhance quality of life and maximize its value as a tourism resource."

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