Gwacheon Knowledge Information Town Public Housing District Enters Final Phase of Infrastructure Completion

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Yu Je-seong] Gwacheon City held its third and final working-level task force meeting of the year on December 5 with representatives of (prospective) residents, the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), Gwacheon Police Station, and other related agencies to examine major pending issues at the Knowledge Information Town Public Housing District. The working-level task force serves as a channel to share progress on infrastructure development and discuss resident requests, with three meetings held throughout this year.

At the meeting, progress on stream and park construction was shared, and it was forecast that once transmission tower demolition, which began recently, is completed, walking paths and parks will be available for use beginning next spring. Accordingly, the city decided to conduct detailed advance inspections of pedestrian safety elements such as lighting, crime prevention, and accessibility for mobility-impaired individuals.

The meeting also discussed progress on transportation infrastructure, including the installation of underground public passage as reflected in the 14th District Plan change and the expansion of Gwacheon-daero 7-da-gil road. The underground public passage is expected to play a major role in strengthening pedestrian safety and dispersing ground-level traffic, while the road expansion project is anticipated to enhance mobility between the Knowledge Information Town and the city center.

Currently, following the completion of Phase 1 of the Knowledge Information Town, major infrastructure is being sequentially transferred to the city. This has expanded the city's administrative roles in water and sewage, sanitation, and road and traffic management, and a system is being established to enable faster response to resident complaints.

Meanwhile, the city plans to develop the Knowledge Information Town into an eco-friendly, cutting-edge industrial city through expanding essential living infrastructure, including converting the area above subway stations into parks and establishing a new middle school. The city will also continue regular communication with (prospective) residents through the working-level task force to reflect resident opinions in the business implementation process.

Mayor Shin Kye-yong stated, "While some inconveniences remain due to ongoing infrastructure construction, many pending issues have been resolved through cooperation with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation and centered on the working-level task force. Going forward, as the transfer and handover of facilities expands, the city will actively engage to ensure the Knowledge Information Town is completed successfully."