Dongseong-ro Street of Youth project selected by Ministry of the Interior and Safety-hosted contest on restoring local features to receive state funding

Daegu Metropolitan City (DMC) has secured KRW 1.4 billion in state funds via recognition by this year’s Local Feature Restoration Contest, which was hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Funds will be used to transform Dongseong-ro into a “Street of Youth” as part of the Dongseong-ro Renaissance project.

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DMC will be devoting a total budget of KRW 3.5 billion (including state funds) to, among other tasks, repurpose Jungang Police Station, create a Busking Plaza, and build themed alleys to turn Dongseong-ro into an iconic youth mecca similar to Seoul’s Hongdae.

The Local Feature Restoration Contest, which aims to make cities more competitive by utilizing local resources, accepts submissions from local governments nationwide in one of three components (Creation of Hub Facilities, Local Design, Themed Commercial Districts) and provides a special grant per site of KRW 400 million ~ 1.4 billion. This year’s contest received submissions from 69 local governments, of which 10 were selected based on multiple screenings.

The building that formerly housed Jungang Police Station will be repurposed into a civic space that includes performance seating and a rest area. The open space in front of it will be turned into a plaza for busking performances and cultural events for young people.

Dongseong-ro’s themed alleys (e.g. night market, men’s clothing) will be significantly renovated to become vibrant spaces that are attractive to a young clientele. A wide range of spatial experimenting will also be done that is unique to Daegu via collaboration with building owners, local merchants and youth activists that utilize empty stores/alleys.

Renovation will be done based on a master plan that aims to transform Dongseong-ro into a well-organized, trendy destination by creating more links that join the heretofore separated northern and southern areas, opened-up streets/shopping centers, and facilities for performances and cultural pursuits.

Mayor Hong Joon-pyo said, “Our contest designation will be of significant help in the designation of Dongseong-ro as a Special Tourism Zone as well as revitalizing the area’s stagnating economy. The renovation effort is a key element of the Dongseong-ro Renaissance project that I am confident will turn Dongseong-ro into a popular designation for young people that offers shopping and many other things to see and do.”