By beginning the old Cheongju train station restoration work, Cheongju has started the ‘City Energy Enhancement’ project. This project plans to resolve problems caused by population decrease and the shrinking of the business districts.
  Cheongju is expecting to restore the Cheongju station to its previous 1970s style and exhibit 1970s objects inside the station until 2015. After finishing the station restoration work, Cheongju is planning to create various kinds of cultural and arts programs like Cheongju Arirang near the Youth Square.
  Also, Cheongju is planning diverse projects. To gather citizens in the Seomun market, the city is planning to make a traditional market inside the Seomun market. Thus, the city is going to repair the lighting of Samgyupsal road and check the walking environment of Seomun Bridge. Furthermore, Cheongju is planning to build a park and make a cultural space for youth and elders by using the neglected empty Seoul Maternity Ward near Chungang Park. In addition, to solve the illegal parking problem on Chungang No Car Street, the city is going to install low-speed facilities, check the walking environment and make a green area for citizens.
  About the Cheongju Energy Enhancement project, Yoon Seung-yeon(21, Seowon University) said, “I’m anticipating the restoration of the Cheongju station. I didn’t know about Cheongju Arirang. I think many people will get to know Cheongju Arirang because of this.” Kim Hye-jin(21, Chungbuk University) said, “First, when I heard about the ‘City Energy Enhancement’ project I thought it would be just a big project. However, this project is not just focusing on big projects but also doing small, practical works in which citizens really need help such as repairing the lighting of the Samgyupsal road or checking the walking environment of Seomun Bridge.”
  About this project, Woo Doo-jin, the person in charge of Cheongju City Planning said, “While monitoring the project, we will continue to collect citizens’ and experts’ opinions and try to accommodate those ideas. This project is expected to not only revitalize urban functions but also to establish the historical and cultural identity of Cheongju, as well as to provide a rest area and other facilities.”

By Seo Yeo-ryung

yr34@cbnu.ac.kr