Namyangju Begins Preparations for Special City Status with Population of 1 Million…Administrative Reorganization Research Project Launched

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Um In-yong] Namyangju City held an 'Administrative Reorganization Research Project Kickoff Report Meeting' on the 8th and began substantive discussions on restructuring its administrative system to respond to rapid population growth and changes in urban structure.

This research project was established to proactively address increased administrative demands resulting from major development projects including the Wangsuk 1·2 public housing districts, Jinjeop 2 district, and Yangjeong Station area development.

As the population in some eups and dongs has increased to levels of 80,000 to 110,000, there have been ongoing calls for the need to establish a more efficient and rational administrative system.

The city, after conducting a tender announcement and proposal evaluation in March, selected the Gyeonggi Research Institute as the final performing agency and will proceed through December, with plans to develop rational reorganization proposals tailored to changing urban conditions and increase citizen satisfaction with administrative services.

At the report meeting, Dr. Lee Ji-eun, a principal researcher at the Gyeonggi Research Institute, presented the research direction and main task contents.

Dr. Lee explained the necessity of analyzing administrative demand according to population increase and changes in living areas, and presented medium to long-term directions for administrative system reorganization to resolve misalignment between living areas and administrative jurisdictions.

Accordingly, the city will review △adjustment of administrative dongs △operation of responsible eup-myeon-dong system △possibility of conversion to general districts △boundary adjustments of administrative divisions △methods for gathering citizen opinions and managing conflicts, among others.

In particular, this research will focus on analyzing the possibility of separating and establishing new administrative units in overpopulated areas such as Hwado-eup, Dasan 1-dong, Jinjeop-eup, and Byeolnae-dong. Additionally, the city plans to examine the necessity of administrative division adjustments in development areas including Wangsuk New City, Jinjeop 2 district, and Yangjeong Station area.

Furthermore, the city plans to hold resident briefing sessions and public hearings during the research process to actively reflect citizen opinions.

Acting Mayor Kim Sang-su stated, "This research project serves as an important starting point for designing Namyangju's future for the next 100 years," and added, "We will make our best efforts to develop practical administrative system reorganization plans that encompass both urban growth and balanced development, ultimately contributing to improving citizens' quality of life and laying the foundation for special city status with 1 million population."