Mayor Lee Hyun Jae Finds Solutions for a 'Prosperous Hanam' in Three European Cities

Copenhagen’s Corporate Ecosystem and Hamburg’s Iconic Landmarks
Benchmarking Integrated Operation Models in Frankfurt
Developing a K-Culture Complex and National Garden Leveraging the Han River and K-Culture
“We Will Create a City that Attracts Companies and Fills Citizens with Pride by Showcasing the Han River and K-Culture”

Hanam City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Hyun Jae) sought strategies for a future city that encompass attracting companies, urban regeneration, and the creation of cultural landmarks during visits to Copenhagen, Hamburg, and Frankfurt.

Lee Hyun-jae, Mayor of Hanam, along with practical officials in the fields of economy, culture, and urban policy, visited Copenhagen, Denmark, and Hamburg and Frankfurt, Germany, from the 31st of last month to the 5th of this month to study cases of urban development. Provided by Hanam City

On September 7, Hanam City announced that Mayor Lee Hyun Jae, together with officials in the fields of economy, culture, and urban policy, visited Copenhagen, Denmark, and Hamburg and Frankfurt, Germany, from August 31 to September 5 to study urban development cases.

This visit was organized as Hanam’s per capita gross regional domestic product (GRDP) remains at KRW 29 million, ranking 24th among Gyeonggi Province municipalities, in an effort to strengthen the city’s self-sufficiency and enhance urban competitiveness.

The first destination, Copenhagen, highlighted how a pleasant urban environment and a high level of administrative services attract both people and businesses, and how corporate growth, in turn, boosts the city’s economic capacity in a virtuous cycle. Copenhagen is home to world-renowned shipping company Maersk and pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which developed the obesity drug ‘Wegovy.’

Through the Copenhagen case, Hanam City confirmed that a ‘livable city’ and a ‘prosperous city’ are not separate objectives but are closely interconnected.

In Hamburg, the delegation toured HafenCity, where spaces that had fallen into decline due to the shrinking port and shipbuilding industries were transformed into hubs for new growth. The 1.25 million square meter HafenCity was redeveloped over 25 years into a mixed-use city that combines residential, business, commercial, and cultural functions. The area now features a housing complex of about 8,000 households and has created approximately 40,000 jobs.

The internationally acclaimed concert hall Elbphilharmonie was another major benchmark target. Elbphilharmonie hosts more than 600 performances annually and achieves an average seat occupancy rate of 98%, establishing itself as Hamburg’s representative cultural and tourism asset.

Hanam City drew the implication that it needs to create a landmark representing the city and attracting tourists by leveraging local assets such as the Han River and K-Culture.

In Frankfurt, the delegation examined facility operation strategies that link conventions, sports, and performances to invigorate the local economy. Messe Frankfurt, one of Europe’s largest exhibition centers, holds more than 250 events each year, encouraging visitor spending in accommodation, dining, transportation, and across the local economy.

Deutsche Bank Park, which accommodates about 60,000 people, increases its operational utilization by combining sports and entertainment, hosting over 20 football matches annually and 17 concerts during the off-season period from May through August.

Hanam City plans to pursue an integrated operation strategy for large performance venues and cultural facilities in the future, ensuring that sports, performances, exhibitions, and events take place year-round.

Market Lee Hyun-jae has been visiting Copenhagen, Denmark, and Hamburg and Frankfurt, Germany, from the 31st of last month to the 5th of this month to observe urban development cases. Provided by Hanam City

The city plans to apply the outcomes of this benchmarking trip to attract quality companies using the self-sufficiency sites of Gyosan New Town and to develop cultural and tourism landmarks such as a K-Culture complex and a national garden. There are also plans to improve pedestrian environments and urban living spaces to enhance urban competitiveness experienced by residents in daily life.

Hanam City will continue to engage with local institutions like the City of Copenhagen, BLOX, HafenCity, Elbphilharmonie, Messe Frankfurt, and Deutsche Bank Park, which were visited during this trip, and plans to incorporate their relevant policies and management experiences into city administration.

Mayor Lee Hyun Jae stated, “Rather than simply copying European cities, it is important to adapt best practices to fit Hanam’s own circumstances and assets. We will create unique landmarks in Hanam, such as the K-Culture complex and a national garden along the Han River, and consistently push forward with efforts to attract quality companies and pursue long-term development plans.”

He emphasized, “We will build a livable and prosperous city that fills citizens with pride and draws visitors from outside.”

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