Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun: "Tapdong Innovation Valley Will Be First Step Toward Advanced Science Research City"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "The Tapdong Innovation Valley development project will be Suwon's first step toward becoming an advanced science research city."

At the 'Tapdong Innovation Valley Business Attraction Briefing' held on the 6th at Convention Hall 1 of the Suwon Convention Center, the mayor said in his remarks, "Our goal is to make the western Suwon area an economic free zone centered on Tapdong Innovation Valley," adding, "The ultimate goal is to make western Suwon a 'Korean Silicon Valley.'"

He continued, "Suwon has excellent urban infrastructure, good transportation, and prestigious universities to supply talent," and expressed hope that "many advanced enterprises will establish themselves in Suwon, develop, and lead Korea's economy."

The briefing, which began with Mayor Lee's remarks, was followed by presentations from Heo Jeong-moon, president of Suwon Urban Development Corporation, a Q&A; session, and roundtable consultations.

The briefing was attended by about 60 domestic companies including Hyundai Engineering and Construction, CJ Logistics, E-Land Group, Juseong Engineering, and Doowon Heavy Industries.

Suwon City plans to develop the 'Tapdong Innovation Valley,' a complex business district to house advanced enterprises in the Tapdong area.

The Tapdong Innovation Valley development project, which Suwon Urban Development Corporation is pursuing as a major development initiative, is an urban development project to create an advanced enterprise-focused complex business district spanning 268,818㎡ in the Tapdong area of Gwonseon-gu.

The Tapdong district is planned with 132,000㎡ of advanced business sites, 33,000㎡ of mixed-use business sites, and 99,900㎡ of infrastructure sites.

Advanced business sites will host R&D; facilities, venture companies, and software facilities, while mixed-use business sites will be developed with sales, neighborhood living, and medical facilities.

Development plan notification was completed at the end of June, and the project is being pursued with the goal of 'implementation plan approval in the first half of 2024.' In the second half of next year, the city plans to announce information regarding land supply to businesses.

Heo Jeong-moon, president of Suwon Urban Development Corporation, said, "Suwon City is the top central city in the Seoul metropolitan area encompassing residential areas, transportation, green spaces, and history," and presented the strengths of Tapdong Innovation Valley as ▲abundant workforce and residential environment ▲accessibility to cutting-edge industries ▲infrastructure with concentrated green spaces and cultural, historical, and convenience facilities.

Suwon has the largest population among basic local governments nationwide, with a high proportion of people in their 20s and 30s. Additionally, within a 6km radius of Tapdong Innovation Valley, new districts including Dangsu 1·2, Imok, Bongdam 2·Hyohaeng, and Jinan are being newly developed, supplying 120,000 new homes by 2030, allowing workers at Tapdong Innovation Valley to commute from nearby areas.

Transportation is also convenient. By rail, there are the Gyeongbu Railway and the GTX-C line scheduled to open in 2028, National Railway Line 1, Shinbundang Line, Suwon-Bundang Line, and Shin-Suwon Line (scheduled to open). By road, the Gwacheon-Bongdam Expressway and Pyeongtaek-Paju Expressway are nearby.

Additionally, the Tapdong district is surrounded by green spaces, and has well-established infrastructure including historical, cultural, sports, commercial, and medical facilities.

Suwon Urban Development Corporation expects that when R&D; facilities, knowledge industry centers, and smart manufacturing facilities are established in Tapdong Innovation Valley, they will create approximately 800 jobs and generate economic effects of approximately 190 billion won, leading the development of the western Suwon region.