Yongin Mayor Baek Kun-gi: "Green Space Utilization Contract is a Groundbreaking Case That Changed Park Development Perspectives"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] "Creating a rest area for citizens through green space utilization contracts for the first time in the nation is a groundbreaking case that has changed the existing perspective on park development."

Yongin Mayor Baek Kun-gi made this statement on the 2nd while visiting the completion site of the Citizens' Green Rest Area within the Giseong Urban Nature Park located around Site 1-1 (Beophwasan Mountain) in Mabok-dong, Giheung-gu.

Until now, to create recreational spaces for citizens such as parks, the city either utilized public land or purchased private land after investing substantial land compensation costs.

This site was secured through a green space utilization contract between the city and the landowner to create a citizens' green rest area on private land within the urban nature park zone, covering an area of 790,000 ㎡, equivalent to the size of 110 soccer fields.

The urban nature park zone is a land use district that strictly limits development activities for purposes such as landscape protection, making it difficult for landowners to exercise property rights.

Unlike long-neglected urban parks, this area does not fall under park designation expiration application, and even when owners request the local government to purchase the land, the requirements under the law are so stringent that sale is not easy.

From the city's perspective, despite having lush forest resources, the area could not be utilized for greenery because it is private land.

In response, after careful deliberation, the city concluded the nation's first five-year green space utilization contracts with landowners within the urban nature park zone last November.

During the contract period, the city provides property tax reduction benefits to landowners and has installed walking trails and exercise facilities, allowing citizens to use the area as a rest space.

A total of 450 million won in city and provincial funds was invested in creating the Citizens' Green Rest Area in the Giseong Urban Nature Park. Facilities including one observation deck and 19 meditation benches were installed.

In addition, the surrounding landscape was improved by planting 16,320 red spider lilies, 9,610 liriope plants, and 9,000 azalea shrubs.

On this day, Mayor Baek walked through the Azalea Hill, Meditation Path, and Phytoncide Forest Trail in sequence, encouraging related personnel.

At this event, Mayor Baek stated, "Please actively utilize green space utilization contracts to secure spaces that any citizen can enjoy," and added, "We will continuously create green spaces befitting an eco-friendly ecological city."

Meanwhile, the city is developing land within eight urban nature park zones including Yubang, Giseong, and Hagal, covering an area of 7.11 million ㎡, into citizens' green rest areas. As of last June, Yubang, Hagal, and Jukjeon completed the first phase of construction and sequentially unveiled their facilities.

The city is continuing discussions to enable more land within urban nature park zones to be used by citizens as recreational spaces.

Additionally, the city is promoting Yongin Eoulim Park, which connects Cheoin-gu greenery as one axis, and the development of 13 long-neglected urban parks. Through these efforts, the city aims to increase per capita park area from 6.5 ㎡ in 2021 to 11.3 ㎡ by 2025.