Gimhae, Gyeongnam – Gimhae City, located in South Korea’s South Gyeongsang Province, is known for its rich history and dynamic growth. Once the capital of the ancient Gaya Kingdom, it’s now a thriving city with a mix of urban and rural areas, close to the bustling port city of Busan. While its urban districts have seen steady development, some of its rural areas, like Daedong, Saengnim, and Sangdong, have struggled with accessibility and outdated infrastructure.
To address these challenges, Gimhae City is launching a project to breathe new life into its eastern region. The goal? Transform these areas into a multifunctional lifestyle SOC (Social Overhead Capital) complex, bringing essential services closer to residents and making everyday life more convenient.
For years, people living in these rural communities have faced the inconvenience of traveling long distances for basic services. The new project aims to change that, starting with development efforts in Saengnim and Sangdong this month and expanding to Daedong by December, with construction set to begin before the year ends.
These rural areas are surrounded by the Nakdonggang River and mountainous terrain, which has made development difficult. As a result, many families have moved away over the years due to the lack of amenities. But the city is determined to reverse this trend, aiming to bring urban-level convenience and services to these communities, from new community centers to improved health services.
To bring this vision to life, Gimhae City has been working on detailed plans since 2021. After securing over 55 billion won in funding, including a significant contribution from the national government, they’ve carefully planned each step—from design competitions to final construction plans.
The project focuses on building three major facilities: the Donghaeng Center (meaning ‘Together’) and Lifestyle Culture Center in Saengnim, the Happiness Center in Sangdong, and the Onnuri Center in Daedong. Each center will offer a central location where residents can access cultural activities, welfare support, and health services, with a goal to open all by 2026.
In Saengnim, for example, 7.8 billion won will be invested in building the Donghaeng Center and remodeling the local welfare center, along with expanding parking facilities. In Sangdong, 10.7 billion won will go towards replacing the outdated welfare building with a new Happiness Center, creating a more vibrant space for community gatherings. Meanwhile, in Daedong, 22 billion won is earmarked for constructing the Onnuri Center, which will bring together services like healthcare in one accessible location.
A city official explained the importance of the project, saying, “In the past, local centers were the heart of rural life, providing culture, welfare, and education. But as these communities have aged and shrunk, many residents have had to travel far just to access basic services. By creating these new lifestyle centers, we want to ensure that people can access everything they need right in their own community, without needing to go to the city.”
Through this initiative, Gimhae City hopes to restore the sense of community that once defined these areas, making them vibrant, welcoming places for residents to live and thrive.
