Hwaseong Special City and France's Dunkirk City Cooperate on Urban Regeneration and Industrial Transition
Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jung Myeong-geun) visited Dunkirk City, France on the 14th (local time) to share the outcomes of youth international exchange programs and discuss ways to expand inter-city cooperation centered on common areas of interest such as urban regeneration and industrial transition.
Hwaseong Special City and Dunkirk City began their exchange following the 'Memory City Network,' which preserves the memory of war and shares the value of peace. In August, Hwaseong Special City invited a delegation of youth from Dunkirk City and conducted an international exchange program. This visit was organized to further develop the cooperative relationship between the two cities based on the outcomes of their exchanges to date.
The delegation led by Mayor Jung Myeong-geun of Hwaseong Special City first toured Dunkirk's downtown area and major urban regeneration sites, examining cases where urban spaces were reorganized while preserving the historical identity of the industrial city.
The delegation then visited 'EcosystèmeD,' a regional innovation support organization, to examine Dunkirk City's major policies and implementation cases including regional business support, new industry development, business attraction, and carbon emission reduction in the industrial sector, and exchanged opinions with relevant officials.
Subsequently, Mayor Jung Myeong-geun of Hwaseong Special City met with Patrice Vergriete, Mayor of Dunkirk City, to share the outcomes of their exchanges to date and discuss future directions for cooperation.
During the meeting, the two sides shared the outcomes of the youth international exchange program held in Hwaseong Special City in August on the theme of 'Memory and Peace,' and watched a video documenting the exchange activities from that time.
The two mayors discussed ways to sustain international exchanges so that young people can understand each other's history and culture. At the same time, they shared policies and experiences in fields of common interest to both cities, including urban regeneration, industrial transition, and carbon neutrality, and explored possibilities for cooperation.
Mayor Jung Myeong-geun of Hwaseong Special City said, "The meeting of young people that began in Hwaseong in August has become a meaningful opportunity for mutual understanding of history and culture, and for bringing the two cities closer together. While continuing youth exchanges, we will broaden the scope of cooperation by sharing policies and experiences in fields of common concern for both cities, including urban regeneration and industrial transition."
Meanwhile, Hwaseong Special City plans to continue its international youth exchanges with Dunkirk City, participate in 'Memory City Network' activities, and continuously develop inter-city cooperative relations by sharing policies and cases in common areas of interest such as urban regeneration and industrial transition.