Suwon Takes First Step in Establishing '2040 Suwon Comprehensive Urban Plan'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-seong] Suwon announced on the 30th that it has begun establishing the '2040 Suwon Comprehensive Urban Plan' to present an urban vision and future development direction befitting its status as a special city.

The 'Suwon Comprehensive Urban Plan' is a '20-year long-term comprehensive development plan' and a 'legally mandated top-tier spatial plan' that presents Suwon's spatial structure, desirable future vision, and development direction. The city has currently secured related project funds and completed the selection of a consulting firm to establish the plan.

Next month, the city will begin basic surveys on urban characteristics and current conditions, as well as set indicators for establishing the basic plan. In the second half of the year, the city plans to establish and operate the 'Urban Policy Citizen Planning Committee' to actively reflect citizen opinions in the basic plan.

The 'Urban Policy Citizen Planning Committee,' through which citizens participate in urban planning to shape the future of the city, is Suwon's representative governance body, comprising diverse groups including citizens, city council members, civil society organization members, students, and experts.

Next year, the city will hold public hearings to gather expert and citizen opinions, followed by consultations with the city council, advice from the urban planning committee, consultations with central government agencies including Gyeonggi Province and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and deliberation by the Gyeonggi Province Urban Planning Committee to establish the plan. The city aims to complete it by the first half of 2023.

The '2040 Suwon Comprehensive Urban Plan' will reflect policy directions from higher-level plans such as the National Comprehensive Plan and Gyeonggi Province Comprehensive Plan, and will coordinate with sector-specific plans (transportation, parks, water and sewage basic plans, etc.) established in accordance with individual laws.

Additionally, it will reflect changing regional conditions and present directions on major urban indicators, basic infrastructure, and urban management strategies.

Furthermore, the city will conceptualize living area spaces to address urban issues including ▲regional development imbalance ▲low birth rates and aging population ▲shortage of available development land, and will set an appropriate population plan.

The city plans to establish land use plans that enable environmentally friendly urban development and present the basic direction for 'sustainable urban development.'

Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young stated, "The 2040 Suwon Comprehensive Urban Plan will present an urban vision and future development direction befitting the status of a special city," and added, "We will maintain close cooperation with the 'Special Committee on Comprehensive Urban Development' established in the city council to develop policies that meet citizens' expectations and seek concrete alternatives together."