Suwon's Namsudong Transformed Through 'Urban Regeneration Project'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Namsudong, Paldal-gu, Suwon, which was densely packed with aging houses and became dark and desolate when the sun set, has recently undergone a dramatic transformation. The unsightly tent roof that had been installed to prevent rain leaks has been replaced with an elegant traditional Korean-style roof, and a 'landscape lighting cultural rest area' with the theme 'Moon Rising Over Paldal Mountain' has been created in the center of the village.

As the 'Hwagyeongdong Urban Regeneration Project - Suwon Hwaseong Renaissance Embracing World Cultural Heritage,' which Suwon City has been pursuing since 2016, enters its final phase, vitality is returning to Hwagyeongdong and its surrounding areas (Maehyangdong, Namsudong, Bugsudong, and Paldal-ro 1st and 2nd-ga), which were once representative old districts of Suwon. The 'Hwagyeongdong Urban Regeneration Project' is scheduled to be completed in December this year.

The project is carried out with three core strategies—'community strengthening,' 'cultural creativity,' and 'community business'—and six unit projects including ▲creating a comfortable neighborhood to live in ▲establishing community growth foundations ▲Hwagyeongdong alley specialization project ▲establishing Hwagyeongdong Harmony Center ▲Hwagyeongdong Harmony Marketplace ▲shared economy factory. A total project budget of 10 billion won, comprising 5 billion won in national funding and 5 billion won in municipal funding, has been allocated.

Among the urban regeneration projects in Hwagyeongdong, the changes in Namsudong are most striking. Earlier this year, 'Namsu Yeonhwa Senior Center,' a rest area for elders, was established, and 'Namsu-dong Youth Workshop,' a handmade workshop for elders, opened on the first floor of a building purchased in front of the senior center.

Among the urban regeneration projects implemented in Namsudong, the project with the highest resident satisfaction is the 'landscape improvement-type home repair support project.' The home repair support was conducted as one of the detailed projects of the Hwagyeongdong urban regeneration project called 'improving our neighborhood environment.'

Fifteen households in Namsudong participated in the home repair support project, focusing on roof improvements. Through the home repair support project, the old tent roof that covered the roofs has disappeared, replaced by neat, traditional Korean-style roofs. Residents who participated in the home repair support project are very satisfied. Now visitors can appreciate the old-fashioned Korean-style roofs while walking along the Hwaseong fortress wall path.

On the site where an aging house next to Suwon Stream Road (Namsudong 76-1) was demolished, a cultural rest area equipped with beautiful landscape lighting has been established.

The landscape lighting project, one of the 'Hwagyeongdong alley specialization projects,' was implemented with the theme 'Moon Rising Over Paldal Mountain.' A full moon-shaped lighting fixture was installed in an open space. Last spring, reeds and grass were also planted. Through social media, it has gained fame as a 'photo spot,' and visitors continue to flock to the site. It is even more charming at night.

The floors of Namsudong alleyways and residential compound walls have been neatly refurbished. After painting the walls white, decorative objects made from traditional Korean brick tiles were attached. Landscape blocks were installed on the deteriorated alleyway floors. Namsudong alleys, which were once sparsely populated, have now been transformed into charming walking paths.

'Namsu-dong Youth Workshop' is a handmade workshop operated primarily by elders. It produces and sells homemade soaps, traditional sauces, traditional teas, souvenirs, potted plants, and homemade fruit vinegars at affordable prices.

The village elders working at the Youth Workshop gathered and decided that 'we will use the proceeds from selling products we make for the benefit of the village,' and established a cooperative. It is named 'Namsu Village Cooperative.'

The Youth Workshop is a small space of 64.61 square meters on the first floor, but the passion of the elders working here is no less than that of any young person.

Ki Woo-jin, Director of Suwon City's Urban Policy Bureau, said, "Through the urban regeneration project, Namsudong and its surrounding areas have noticeably transformed into a cleaner and brighter village," and added, "We hope residents will enjoy their leisure in cultural spaces and that elders will find vitality at the Youth Workshop."