Land Reclamation Project to Benchmark Venice

The Saemangeum reclamation area will be developed into an “upscale general purpose city” to encompass an international business zone, tourism and leisure complex and a research complex.

The government held the third meeting of its Saemangeum committee chaired by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo yesterday, and announced a general development plan comprising five lead projects.

Measuring 6,730 hectares or 23.8 percent of the reclaimed area, the central region will be developed into an area creating added value by benchmarking world renowned waterfront cities, including Amsterdam and Venice. The city will adopt one of three design shapes -- radial, full moon and delta -- to be picked based on advice by domestic and foreign experts in the second half.

The purpose of land use at the Saemangeum Reclamation Area will change from agriculture to a multi-purpose general property. Accordingly, the portion of farming land will decline from 70 percent to 30 percent of the combined 28,300 hectares.

By purpose, 3,900 hectares are designated for industrial use; 2,490 hectares for tourism and leisure; 500 hectares for international business; 5,950 hectares for ecology and environment; 2,300 hectares for science and research; 2,030 hectares for alternative renewable energy sources; 8,570 hectares for agriculture; and 1,460 hectares for urban districts.

The government plans to increase water quality at Saemangeum from the agriculture level to one for aquatic projects, including tourism and leisure, that allows proactive aquatic activities. Parks and greenery areas will be greatly expanded primarily at the land set for ecology and environment.

To dispel fears over delays in the project’s execution, authorities will push for a set of five lead projects, including the construction of water banks by adopting techniques suitable for development, by year’s end.

The five projects comprise the development of an upscale general purpose city and industrial property; transition of the Saemangeum embankment and multi-purpose property into tourist attractions; the acquisition of earth for reclamation; early inauguration of a project for building water banks; and general improvement of the Mangyeong and Dongjin rivers.

Additionally, the government will introduce low carbon, green growth methods, including green transportation, and a resource recycling system in the development of Saemangeum inland.

Based on the new development blueprint, a developmental plan for the massive reclaimed area in North Jeolla Province will be finalized after review and advice from experts by year’s end.

pen@donga.com