Yangju City Wins Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award in Public Sector Living and Welfare Category at Urban and Regional Innovation Awards

Yangju City in Gyeonggi Province received the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award in the public sector for the living and welfare category at the '2025 Korea Urban and Regional Innovation Industry Expo' awards ceremony held on the 24th.

Yangju City received the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award in the public sector for the living and welfare category at the '2025 Korea Urban and Regional Innovation Industry Expo' awards ceremony held on the 24th. Provided by Yangju City

This expo, which runs for four days from the 24th to the 27th, recognizes outstanding cases from local governments, public institutions, and private companies that have contributed to urban innovation and balanced regional development, including the creation of smart cities, carbon neutrality, and the expansion of living social overhead capital (SOC). Yangju City received high praise for its achievements in living and welfare innovation carried out in the Deokjeong urban regeneration project area.

As the original downtown area centered around the traditional market and station district in Deokjeong-dong declined due to new town development and population outflow, the city has been promoting an urban regeneration New Deal project with the goal of making Deokjeong a place where people want to live and stay. In particular, the city dramatically improved residential conditions by expanding living SOC based on key facilities and establishing welfare infrastructure tailored to each generation.

Major achievements include the establishment of the 'Wagle Wagle Community Center' (village cafe, care center, lifelong learning space), the 'Gyeonggi Kumtle Community Center' (daycare center, administrative welfare center, living culture, sports, and startup support functions), the addition of 200 parking spaces, the creation of a family forest, and the operation of the Happy Village Management Center, which has provided more than 12,000 living services.

In addition, the city operated generation-specific programs for children, youth, and seniors to enhance residents’ satisfaction. In the children’s sector, the city addressed gaps in care by operating care rooms and training care teachers. Young people directly planned and managed local activities and cultural events through entrepreneurship academies, art studios, and the 'Deokji-ro Festival.' Seniors achieved employment outcomes through specialized training such as health and welfare programs and expert courses in AI drones and forestry education.

Lee Eunsuk, Director of the Urban Housing Bureau, said, "This award is the result of collaboration between Yangju City and local residents to improve living conditions in the original downtown of Deokjeong," adding, "We will continue to make Yangju a top-tier city in northern Gyeonggi Province where everyone can be happy, through innovative living and welfare policies that truly resonate with residents."

Yangju City plans to use this award as an opportunity to further expand living SOC and resident-led welfare and cultural programs, focusing on the Deokjeong urban regeneration hub facilities.

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