Incheon Songdo International City Strengthens Global Cooperation for Sustainable Eco-City Development

Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority and WWT Sign Agreement
Securing International Expertise for the Songdo International Eco-Center Development Project

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority is initiating full-scale global cooperation to transform Songdo International City into a sustainable eco-city.

On July 13, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), a world-renowned wetland conservation organization based in the United Kingdom, to secure international expertise and mutual cooperation for the Songdo International Eco-Center development project.

The Songdo International Eco-Center aims to create an eco-friendly space by 2030 that combines ecological, environmental, tourism, and educational functions within a 177,000-square-meter artificial wetland located in Zone 11-2 of Songdo International City, which was designated as a substitute bird habitat following land reclamation. The project site is a mixed area where Seunggi Stream, a freshwater reservoir, and tidal flats coexist, and migratory birds such as the endangered black-faced spoonbill and Kentish plover are observed there every year.

Aerial view of Songdo International Eco Center. Provided by Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority

This agreement was promoted to strengthen world-class ecological space development and biodiversity conservation capabilities, and to establish a foundation for international cooperation in achieving a sustainable city. The two organizations agreed to collaborate in various fields, including protecting a diverse range of habitats in Songdo International City and surrounding areas, promoting international cooperation and academic exchange for biodiversity, providing education and public awareness programs, and enhancing global citizenship awareness.

Founded in 1946, WWT is the United Kingdom's leading wetland conservation charity. The organization operates 10 wetland centers across the UK, including the London Wetland Centre, which served as a model for the Songdo International Eco-Center, and is recognized for its expertise in wetland restoration, biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and international cooperation.

Following the signing ceremony, a special lecture was delivered by Tina Redshaw, International Cooperation Manager at WWT and former British Ambassador to Cambodia and Timor-Leste. Redshaw currently serves as co-chair of the CEPA Working Group of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) and has extensive experience in international wetland conservation and environmental diplomacy.

In her lecture, she emphasized, "Wetland centers should go beyond being simple ecological conservation facilities and become spaces that connect people, nature, and the local community," adding, "It is important that visitors feel a sense of belonging and pride in wetlands and their region through accessibility, storytelling that reflects local history and culture, and spatial design that harmonizes with nature."

She further suggested that, through diverse participatory content such as environmental education, citizen science, and cultural and artistic activities, the local community can become the main driver of wetland conservation. She proposed that the Songdo artificial wetland and the International Eco-Center could grow into a global wetland model that embodies both ecological value and the region's cultural identity.

An official from the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority stated, "This agreement and the incorporation of the London Wetland Centre, which transformed a disused reservoir into a world-class ecological landmark, into the Songdo International Eco-Center development project will serve as an important turning point," adding, "The Songdo International Eco-Center will become a new global model for sustainable cities where nature and urban life exist in harmony."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.