Will Suwon Introduce Its Own 'Green Flag Award' for Aging Park Management?

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] A proposal was put forward to introduce the 'Suwon-style Green Flag Award' to efficiently manage aging urban parks.

The Suwon Research Institute for Urban Policy and the Korea Landscape Architecture Society held the 'Suwon City Urban Park Policy Symposium' on the 15th at the Novotel Ambassador Suwon. Jung Su-jin, research fellow at the Suwon Research Institute for Urban Policy, who served as the keynote speaker, said, "By introducing a certification system like the Green Flag Award, surveys and inspections of aging park facilities can naturally be conducted."

The UK's Green Flag Award is an honor bestowed on excellent parks and green spaces after evaluating 'green spaces.' It began in 1997. The evaluation consists of document review (30%) and on-site inspection (70%), and assesses the 'quality of green spaces' based on eight evaluation criteria including landscape maintenance, environmental management, biodiversity, and community participation. The Green Flag Award targets not only parks but also cemeteries, canals, reservoirs, universities, and hospitals. Spain, Australia, and the Netherlands have also adopted it.

Jung Su-jin, research fellow who presented 'Research on Regeneration Plans for Suwon's Aging Urban Parks,' said, "There is a need to inform citizens using parks about park management matters," and predicted, "By introducing a park certification system, park management can be systematized based on citizen participation."

As methods for effective management of aging urban parks, the research fellow presented ▲establishing diagnostic and evaluation measures for aging urban parks ▲continuously collecting and analyzing basic data on aging urban parks ▲determining grades for park regeneration, among others.

The symposium proceeded with keynote presentations by Jung Su-jin, Ahn Seung-hong (professor at Hankyong National University and parks and green space director of the Korea Landscape Architecture Society), and Choi Shin-hyun (CEO of Citopos) of Jeonju City's master landscape architect, followed by discussions among designated participants and observers.

Ahn Seung-hong, who presented 'Issues and Regeneration Strategies for Aging Urban Parks,' also proposed introducing a park certification and evaluation system similar to the Green Flag Award as a regeneration strategy for aging urban parks. He also presented 'inducing private sector participation' and 'convergence with smart technology,' among others. Choi Shin-hyun, CEO of Citopos, explained the spatial composition of 'North Seoul Dream Forest.'

Subsequently, landscape architecture experts including Oh Ki-young, Suwon City's parks management division chief, Kim Yeon-geum, director of 'Landscape Atelier Wool,' Lee Sang-min, head of the Landscape Center at the Architecture and Urban Space Research Institute, Lee Min-woo, professor at Kongju National University, and Choi Yong-ho, director of the Urban Parks Association participated in the discussion.

Choi Gwang-yeol, Suwon City's parks and green space project director, said, "When park land is withdrawn from park use due to the 'Urban Park Expiration System' effective July 1 this year, the importance of urban park management will grow even greater," and added, "We will establish park regeneration strategies that enable sustainable park management and prepare for the future of Suwon City's urban parks."