Hapcheon County in South Gyeongsang Province has become the first in South Korea to designate a rural specialized district. This initiative marks the first application of rural spatial planning in practice, focusing on the development of the pet industry and the renovation of aging livestock facilities.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that on July 16, Hapcheon County was designated as a rural specialized district under the Rural Space Restructuring Act, which includes one rural complex industry district and one rural village protection district. A rural specialized district is an area designated by local governments for efficient development, use, and preservation of rural spaces based on various functions such as residential, industrial, scenic, and livestock.
The Rural Space Restructuring Act was implemented in March 2024 to address issues of reckless development and the risk of regional extinction in rural areas. A total of 139 cities and counties nationwide are currently establishing long-term rural space master plans, which are updated every ten years. Following the establishment of its master plan in February of this year, Hapcheon County has now completed the designation of its specialized district, becoming the first in the country.
The newly designated rural complex industry district will be developed as a hub for the pet industry, linked to the existing pet-themed park 'Mungstay.' The key facility will be a 'Pet-Wellness Coexistence Platform,' which will include a pet academy, a pet food manufacturing and processing experience space, pet-friendly workation facilities, and a multi-cultural space.
Hapcheon County aims to create a new income base by combining local agricultural products with the pet industry. Plans include producing and selling pet food made from local products such as Hanwoo beef and sweet potatoes, as well as increasing the influx of residents through pet-friendly accommodations and workation spaces.
A walking trail called 'Pyeonggu Safe Dog Path' will be established to connect villages and facilities. This initiative aims to encourage visitors to utilize local cafes and restaurants, thereby linking tourism spending to residents' income.
In the rural village protection district, aging poultry houses that have been detrimental to the village environment will be demolished. The cleared area will be transformed into a 'Pyeonggu Coexistence Village Forest' where residents and visitors can relax, enhancing the village's landscape and living environment.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to support the spread of Hapcheon County's model nationwide through tailored consulting for different regions. Government support projects, such as rural agreements and rural space maintenance projects, will also be prioritized for connection.
Jeon Han-young, Director of the Rural Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, “By designating a specialized district for the first time in the country, Hapcheon County has shown a blueprint for how spatial planning can transform rural areas. We will actively support the dissemination of this leading model to invigorate rural communities across the nation.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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