Suwon Wins Urban-Regional Innovation Award for Maesan-dong Urban Regeneration New Deal Project

Suwon Special City (Mayor Lee Jae-jun) received the Urban-Regional Innovation Award in the Public Sector Commerce Recovery category (Minister of the Interior and Safety Award) for the Maesan-dong Urban Regeneration New Deal Project at the "2026 Korea Urban-Regional Innovation Industry Expo" held in Osco, Cheongju.

The Public Sector Commerce Recovery category selects outstanding cases that revitalize local economies by connecting the recovery of original downtown areas and alley commerce. Suwon City was recognized for its achievements in improving the urban environment around Suwon Station and promoting alley commerce revitalization.

The Maesan-dong Urban Regeneration New Deal Project is a downtown-type urban regeneration project implemented from 2018 to June 2025 in an area of 197,800 square meters in the Maesan-dong district of Paldal-gu.

The project promoted ▲creation of three regional hub facilities ▲alley commerce revitalization ▲improvement of street environment around Suwon Station. Hub facilities such as the Maesan-dong Harmony Center and Everyone Harmony Center were established, and in connection with the Maesan-dong Administrative Welfare Center complex development project, infrastructure necessary for the region, including a youth incubation center and happy housing, were expanded.

Additionally, the environment around Suwon Station was improved and alley commerce revitalization projects were promoted to provide a foundation for continuous vitality in the original downtown area along with physical urban environment improvement.

The 2026 Korea Urban-Regional Innovation Industry Expo is hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Chungcheongbuk Province, Cheongju City, the Urban Regeneration Industry Promotion Association, and Yonhapnews. It began on September 29 and runs through October 2.

During the expo, Suwon City operates exhibition and promotion booths introducing urban regeneration achievements including the Maesan-dong Urban Regeneration New Deal Project.

An official from Suwon City stated, "We are honored to have our urban regeneration project achievements recognized, which were pursued to revitalize the original downtown area and alley commerce around Suwon Station," and added, "We will make active use of the established hub facilities and local resources to ensure that the results of urban regeneration continue."