In Osu-myeon, Imsil-gun, Jeollabuk-do, a city regeneration project focusing on pets has been recognized for its excellence and is being noted as a successful model. According to Imsil-gun, the Osu District was recognized for its excellence in urban regeneration projects and was selected as an excellent case (Excellence Award) in the regional specialization category at the “2024 Balanced Development Best Practice Competition,” hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Busan City and organized by the Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation and Busan Urban Corporation.
The Osu District urban regeneration project was selected in 2022 through a public contest by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for regional specialization regeneration projects, securing a total budget of 21.7 billion won. Under the slogan “Osu, the Land of Loyal Dogs, Let’s Live Well Together,” the project is being actively pursued with the goal of creating a pet-friendly city.
By utilizing Osu’s “Loyal Dog Tale” as a regional heritage, the project seeks to enhance the region’s unique value and stimulate the local economy through tourism by combining the pet industry, tourism, and education into a specialized strategy.
Key components of the project include a pet education space called ‘Pet School,’ a workshop for making pet items named ‘Pet House,’ and the creation of pet-focused streets. Additionally, various infrastructure improvements are included to enhance the living environment for residents, such as renovating old residential areas and alleys.
Lee Soo-yong, head of the Osu District Urban Regeneration Field Support Center, who presented the Osu District urban regeneration project at the competition, stated, “Although the project is still ongoing, I am pleased that its potential as a regional specialization model has been recognized” and added, “We will do our best for sustainable development in partnership with the local community until completion.”
Sim Min, the mayor of Imsil-gun, expressed his pride, saying, “The Osu District urban regeneration project is nationally recognized based on Osu’s history and culture,” and vowed to continue efforts to make Imsil-gun the center of the pet industry and tourism by actively utilizing regional heritage.