Busan City has received the Prime Minister's Award at the 「Second Half of 2021 Proactive Governance Competition」 hosted by the Ministry of Interior and Safety.

Proactive Governance encouraged by the Korean government is one of the critical solutions to resolve complaints and inconvenience for citizens and businesses by quick and initiative decision-making to promote more positive decision outcomes. The annual Proactive Governance Competition is one of the Korean government's efforts to make the nation a better place for its citizens to live by tackling passive administration and expanding proactive governance.

Haeundae Arboretum is the best example of an proactive governance to resolve any inconveniences resulting from passive administration by transforming a landfill, a typical disgusting facility, into an eco-friendly park.

The former landfill site in Seokdae-dong, northern Busan, has been used for stone waste from 1987 to 1993 and has become notorious as a synonym for disgusting facilities due to the environmental degradation by emitting objectionable odors, leachate, and harmful gases. The Haeundae Arboretum project, mapped out the blueprint in 2010, had been drifting for 11 years due to prolonged issues, such as budget allocation, non-compliance with administrative procedures, unauthorized occupation of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union, etc.

To resolve the various local issues, a government official of Busan City took initial action voluntarily in 2019, including urban land-use change, environmental impact assessment, compensation for the land, etc. Furthermore, the city opened the botanical garden, the so-called Healing Forest, partially and temporarily to the public to enjoy the benefit as soon as possible after completing the first phase of its construction.

Nearly 30 years have passed after the closure of the Seokdae Landfill. Now the site is transformed into a therapeutic forest and a great tourist spot in the city's heart. According to the city, the second phase of the project, slated for opening in May 2025, will feature a greenhouse, a forest cultural exhibition center, a visitors center, and sports facilities.

Photo : www.busan.go.kr
Source : Ministry of the Interior and Safety