-Investment of 3.37 Billion Won, Scheduled for Completion in November 2026-

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced it will establish Korea's first ‘Smart Design Special Zone’ in the Guwol-dong area of Namdong-gu (approximately 1 km² around Incheon City Hall), investing a total project cost of 3.37 billion won (70% national funds, 30% city funds).

The ‘Smart Design Special Zone Creation Project’ is a national government-funded project selected under the Ministry of Science and ICT's ‘Smart Village Dissemination and Expansion Project’. It aims to provide an optimized urban environment for residents of the original downtown area by integrating smart technology and public design.

The project site in Guwol-dong is evaluated as an area capable of reflecting diverse citizen needs, as it densely concentrates major public facilities such as Seokcheon Elementary School, Guwol Middle School, Incheon City Hall, and Aetul Plaza, along with hospitals, commercial districts, and business facilities.

This project will be implemented across four areas: ▲ Smart Emergency Zones ▲ Smart Safe School Routes ▲ Smart Parks ▲ Smart Pedestrian Safety Zones.

Smart emergency zones and safe school routes will be established at Gil Hospital Intersection and Guwol Middle School Three-Way Intersection, where elderly pedestrians, students, and those with mobility challenges frequently pass. These zones will include 530 ground-level pedestrian signals, 70 audio-assisted pedestrian signal devices, and 70 red countdown timers to enhance pedestrian safety.

The smart park being created at Aetrel Plaza in front of City Hall will feature 8 smart exercise machines for seniors, along with 10 smart benches, 2 bicycle racks, and 20 security lights, expanding its rest and leisure functions.

Furthermore, smart pedestrian safety zones will be established at the Gachon University Gil Hospital Cancer Center intersection, the Central Library three-way intersection, The Happiness Nursing Hospital, and the Mirae-ro area. These zones will feature 7 smart shade structures and 6 smart media poles to create a safe and pleasant walking environment.

Notably, the smart benches will feature heating functions and wireless smartphone charging capabilities for comfortable use even in winter. The security lights will incorporate an intelligent lighting system that operates at 60% brightness under normal conditions but increases to 100% when human movement is detected.

Incheon City completed the design in September 2025 and finalized contracts for government-supplied materials and construction in December of the same year. Full-scale construction will commence in January 2026 and is scheduled for completion by November.

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok stated, “This project holds significance in realizing a higher-level public service model based on interdepartmental collaboration by integrating smart technology and public design,” adding, “We will do our utmost to create a city where citizens tangibly experience happiness.”