Lee Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, is set to transform the city by leveraging its industrial strengths to foster advanced industries, expand future transportation networks, and enhance welfare services. His vision aims to secure new growth engines through industrial structural innovation and drive sustainable development through tangible changes that citizens can feel.
The mayor has positioned 'Ansan, a Free Innovation City with Citizens' as his administrative vision, promoting policies in industrial innovation, digital transformation, welfare and culture, future education, and transportation and environment. His commitments for the 9th elected term include 100 promises and 120 detailed projects, focusing on job creation, transportation improvements, housing stability for youth, nurturing future talent, and revitalizing marine tourism.
A key challenge for Ansan is the transformation of its industrial structure. The city, which has built its manufacturing base around the Banwol and Siheung National Industrial Complexes, must maintain the competitiveness of existing industries while securing new growth drivers.
To achieve this, Mayor Lee plans to develop the Ansan Science Valley (ASV) as part of the Gyeonggi Economic Free Zone, establish a demonstration industrial complex for artificial intelligence (AI) conversion at the Banwol National Industrial Complex, and create a foundation for advanced medical industries.
The strategy involves integrating advanced technologies and AI into existing manufacturing, enhancing research and development capabilities, and strengthening collaboration between industry, academia, and research institutions to elevate the industrial ecosystem. The goal is to attract businesses and expand investments, linking them to quality job creation to encourage young people to settle in the region.
Supporting the training of specialized personnel and facilitating technology transitions for small and medium-sized enterprises are essential to generate tangible results that citizens can experience, including actual job creation and increased participation of local businesses. Expanding transportation infrastructure and reorganizing urban spaces are also major tasks. Plans include undergrounding the Ansan Line, expanding the railway network, and developing transit-oriented areas to improve mobility and optimize urban space utilization.
By undergrounding the railway, disconnected areas will be linked, and surface spaces will be utilized for green areas and cultural and recreational facilities. The plan also aims to concentrate residential and commercial functions in transit-oriented developments to enhance local vitality.
Additionally, the city will implement community-focused transportation policies, such as expanding express bus services to Seoul and improving public transportation accessibility and parking conditions. However, the undergrounding of railways and large-scale development projects require significant funding and coordination with related agencies, making the establishment of specific timelines, funding strategies, and citizen engagement crucial.
Welfare policies will focus on stabilizing housing for youth, alleviating childcare burdens, and supporting vulnerable populations. Key promises include providing youth rental housing support at 1,000 won per day, assistance for working mothers, shared parental leave benefits for fathers, and tailored support for individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges. To enhance the effectiveness of these programs, it is essential to clarify the target groups, scale, and application processes while reducing welfare blind spots.
In the field of future education, initiatives will include fostering digital creative talent, providing customized career and academic counseling, and establishing specialized education towns. The strategy aims to align the workforce needs of local businesses with school education to cultivate talent for future industries, creating a virtuous cycle where young people learn, work, and settle in the region.
Mayor Lee is also promoting the development of marine leisure and tourism industries centered around Daebu Island. By leveraging the region's natural environment and marine resources, the plan aims to increase tourist stay durations and boost local commerce. Expanding tourism content and amenities, while ensuring balanced development that considers environmental preservation and residents' livelihoods, remains a priority.
Given the scale of the investment plans, establishing project priorities and securing stable funding are crucial. Specific timelines, funding strategies, and performance indicators must be detailed, and progress must be transparently communicated. Long-term projects will outline step-by-step progress in permits, funding acquisition, and construction, allowing citizens to verify the fulfillment of promises.
Ultimately, the future of Ansan hinges on how harmoniously it can enhance industrial competitiveness while improving the quality of life for its citizens. The realization of advanced industries leading to quality jobs, along with improvements in transportation, welfare, and education policies, will be essential for meaningful urban transformation.
Mayor Lee Min-keun expressed a strong commitment, stating, "We will establish a foundation for sustainable growth through industrial innovation and citizen-centered policies, working together with the community to create a better future for Ansan."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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