Suwon City Leads "Carbon-Neutral City" Initiative with "Saebit Eco-Transportation + Car-Free Day" Program

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-seong] Suwon Metropolitan City announced on May 17th that it will operate the "Saebit Eco-Transportation+ Car-Free Day" program at 12 locations across 11 districts through October to lead the way as a "carbon-neutral city" and create a sustainable future city.

The Saebit Eco-Transportation+ Car-Free Day, which begins on May 18th in Yeonmu-dong (Firefly Market) and Gokseon-dong (near Sandeul Children's Park), will proceed at a total of 7 districts in the first half of the year: Jeongja 3-dong (May 25th), Pyeong-dong (June 8th), Haengung-dong (June 8th and 15th), Guun-dong (June 15th), and Jeongja 2-dong (June 15th). A total of 12 organizations plan to hold the program at least twice per year. Haengung-dong, Suwon's representative tourist destination, will hold the program on June 8th and 15th on Haengnidan-gil and in the craft street area.

Saebit Eco-Transportation+ Car-Free Day is a citizen-led initiative in which residents themselves control vehicle traffic on designated road sections and plan and operate eco-transportation-related programs.

Saebit Eco-Transportation+ enhances accessibility and solidarity in existing eco-transportation policies by regenerating the previously underdeveloped old downtown area of Haengung-dong through urban regeneration projects. The goal is to create a pedestrian-centered street environment to realize carbon neutrality and develop a sustainable future city.

The city held a capacity-building workshop on May 7th for representatives of 12 resident organizations operating car-free day events and responsible officials.

A city official stated, "Starting this year, we will regularize car-free day operations to contribute to carbon neutrality," adding, "We hope that by operating car-free days that everyone can enjoy, residents will be able to walk safely and live in car-free streets that improve their quality of life."