Mayor Choi Dae-ho of Anyang, "Will Push Major Urban Transformation Centered on AI"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Yu Je-sung] Mayor Choi Dae-ho of Anyang stated that in response to the rapidly changing administrative environment and the transition into the artificial intelligence (AI) era, he will concentrate the city's administrative capacity on raising the city's future competitiveness and creating changes in citizens' daily lives.

Mayor Choi held a "2026 New Year Press Briefing" on the morning of the 13th at Anyang Art Center in Man-an Ward, outlining this year's policy direction.

The city has set "Smart Anyang that brings greater happiness to citizens beyond change and innovation in the AI era" as this year's policy direction, and plans to conduct city administration centered on the values of future leadership, prioritizing livelihoods, youth vitality, and happy security.

This year's city budget is 1 trillion 864 billion won, a 5.95% increase from the previous year. Among this, the social welfare budget of 816.8 billion won represents a 9.8% increase from last year, with emphasis on stabilizing livelihoods, improving citizens' quality of life, and recovering the livelihood economy.

Taking advantage of Anyang's strengths in accessibility and efficiency, the city aims to create an innovation cluster centered on the "K37+ Belt" where AI companies and jobs gather, fostering new growth engines.

The Parkdal Smart City development project, at the center of this initiative, will begin basic and detailed design work on alternative facilities this year, and will push forward key procedures including green belt designation removal and urban development zone designation at a rapid pace.

Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Defense last year, a turning point was established when the city was designated as the project operator.

The Indeokwon Intensquare project, which broke ground last year, is expected to complete site development by 2027 and reach completion of construction work by 2030, to be developed into Anyang's new landmark where work, residence, and culture harmonize.

Additionally, the Bisan Comprehensive Stadium site area will be transformed into an innovation hub by relocating existing sports facilities, and an artificial intelligence (AI) residential complex platform combining culture, residence, and business functions will be created utilizing public land at Undojang Intersection, with plans to further enhance station-area functions in the future.

Furthermore, through old planned city redevelopment, new vitality will be brought to Pyeongchon New City, and the central city will be redeveloped through projects including Anyang 3-dong Yangji Village residential regeneration innovation district and Anyang 4-dong resident community facility and underground parking lot development, improving residential conditions and living infrastructure.

Anyang City is establishing systematic artificial intelligence (AI) transformation policies centered around the newly established AI Strategy Bureau and is preparing to implement specialized AI-based projects across public services.

Building on accumulated experience in operating autonomous buses, the city plans to expand daytime routes and lead future mobility innovation that citizens can experience through introducing Level 4 autonomous vehicles without driver seats and pilot operation of enterprise-led unmanned robotaxis.

Additionally, the city plans to implement policies supporting small business owners, including completion of four railroad lines and reflecting new lines in national plans, supporting business succession by young merchants in traditional markets, and operational support for public delivery app "Delivery Express," while concentrating efforts on youth housing and startup support policies, garden city development, and expansion of comprehensive welfare and education and culture infrastructure.

Mayor Choi Dae-ho of Anyang said, "I will push forward a major AI-centered urban transformation that will elevate Anyang's future industrial structure and urban competitiveness to the next level," adding, "With the spirit of 'Ma Bu Ting Ti' (a running horse never stops its hooves), I will forge ahead with approximately 2,000 city officials of Anyang for the happiness of citizens and sustainable development of the city."