Do you know history of Daejeon? Like many cities, Daejeon which is located in center of South Korea has got a lot of changes. In that transition, we look into its special city arrangement for old downtown areas that are necessarily to be improved. Many plans have been already carried out or waiting to be action. Then is Daejeon’s Urban Regeneration Project effective for real? If not, what will be a right direction?

   

   Inescapable Changes in City’s Life

   Everything has renaissance and decline. City is also not an exception to this. In the case of advanced countries like England or Japan, they experienced problem of downtown decline which includes decreasing in population, economic activity and so on after 1960. South Korea also did. For example, Seoul consistently tries to solve its urban decline problem by restoration of the Cheonggye creek, etc. However, local cities including Daejeon, this center of South Korea, Daejeon could not get out of these problems because of its inadvertent counteractions about the decline of the old town which is caused by developing new town.
   In the latter part of 1980's, Daejeon city developed Dunsan district as new town which was outside of Daejeon. In that process, there was relocation of all sorts of a government office, and main organization. As a result, the original downtown which was existing center of town, Dong-gu and Jung-gu, went continually downhill. As a countermeasure against that situation, Daejeon realized the problem of original city like deterioration caused by moving government official and enacts an ordinance about old city regeneration and aid, etc. Moreover, various plans like organizing infrastructure of decline area and preventive support in administration come into action. In priority, we'll make a remark in this article about Citizens university of Daejeon and Skyroad which represent its original city’s vitalization way.

 
   

   Lifelong Education Bounces The Old City of Deajeon!

   Citizens University of Daejeon is a lifelong education institution which is located in seonhwa-dong Jung-ju. It started the first summer semester this year, Why is it urban regeneration project? The reason is that it reuses former provincial government building. Also, this university aims to be a lifelong education organization which brings up the quality of life. That's why they have 16 kinds of academic classes available and around ten thousand students are taking a class. Students who take citizens university class says ”The Quality of class is more professional than normal university and regardless of cheap tuition fee, tools and material, circumstances of studying are great.” By the way, these days disgruntled voices are speaking up for its behavior. When the city started Citizens University, they made it a rule to maintain low-priced tuition fee because they are established as emphasizing a lifelong and civic education. Though, lately with increasing its fee the university harms purpose of its establishment, and they even make very expensive class by promoting premium strategy. Of course, an expensive class was ended by blame of citizens with lack of minimum enrollment. They get the eyes from citizens but as stating the reason of an operating deficit, they claim that latest rise is inevitable. What should Citizens University do? Keep their basic aims? Or reflect reality?

   

   A Beautiful LED Structure Is This Effective Plan? Just Fancy Stuff?

   Also, we can say Skyroad Euneungjung Street, Eunhaeng-dong, and if there's something that couldn't be dropped in Daejeon's original city regeneration project. First, before Skyroad was built, Eunhaeng-dong was considered as the center of old down town, And in case of mentioning Daejeon's representative main street it appears in every time. Nevertheless, Daejeon city suggests a Skyroad plan for revitalizing old down town because Eunhaeng-dong becomes superannuated ,compared with past. Skyroad is a large LED structure and it was constructed by the purpose of developing Euneungjungi Street newly as title of "Exiting Daejeon's Gallery of a Night Sky Light". Surprisingly, its length is almost 214m. When a given time, Skyroad displays us a beautiful and impressive color LED show. If you see that, you can easily say that it is worthy of calling Daejeon's ambitious work for urban regeneration project. Eunhaeng-dong gets showy and fancy appearance through Skyroad, but complaints popped up from here and there. The most important problem is jack-up of rent fee near Skyroad shopping area. some landlords already shortened the lease period and cuted down its period from 2 years to 1 year. In addition, there is aberrant increasing in rent fee. As a result, the main street where Skyroad was built is dominated by major company's operated stores. Not only that, some merchants says "People who visit the LED Street don’t spend money. They just watch structure and go home." In different perspectives, these abnormal situations prove how many citizens anticipate new project. Anyway, building up Skyroad is not for all citizens. So Daejeon should recognize that situation is not that good, and plan more a win-win proposal.

   

   What Kind of Direction Should Be Taken?

   If so, what is right direction of Deajeon's Urban Regeneration Project? A city needs to consider sustainable ways not for just show. More fundamental methods will be optimum solution with fewer side effects. The Start of Citizen University was smooth but it is experience financial loss now. Before the Skyroad was built, a city official expected that the LED make old down town bright but now the merchant who opened businesses near the LED Main Street feels dark. Daejeon city officials should consider both sides. If they do so, well-balanced daejeon city which we want to make will come to us. Therefore, a comprehensive redevelopment project will be a right answer. I dream better Daejeon through better decision.

 

>>By By Choi Shi-young / CP Reporter / mangoo444@cnu.ac.kr
Kim Min-sub / CP Cub-Reporter / mzero_one@cnu.ac.kr

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