- KFS has selected 50 beautiful urban forests in Korea, including the ‘Ulsan Baramgil Danimsup Forest’
- Aiming to expand the urban forest area to 15 ㎡ per capita by 2027

The Korea Forest Service (KFS), under the leadership of Minister LIM Sang-seop, announced on the 1st that it introduced ‘50 Beautiful Urban Forests’ in Korea, where were selected after collecting recommendations from 3,062 citizens.

‘50 Beautiful Urban Forests’ were selected to publicize the value of urban forests that provide shelters in the live of citizens and have various roles and functions in each city.

In April, KFS collected recommendations for 916 Beautiful Urban Forests across the country through the participation of public, local government, and others. The final 50 urban forests were selected through a public preference survey and evaluation of accessibility, ecological health, degree of use, scenic value, and differentiation.

The 50 selected urban forests are categorized into 5 types according to its role and function: climate change response, economic effect enhancement, landscape aesthetic improvement, resident health promotion, and community participation.

The climate change response type of forests absorbs carbon dioxide in the city and mitigates the heat island phenomenon. 8 sites were selected, including the ‘Baramgil Danimsup Forest in Jung-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City’, which brings cool breezes into the city center, considering the topographical characteristics of mountainous area located on the outskirt of the city.

The economic effect enhancement type of forests contributes to the revitalization of the local economy by using urban forests as tourism resources. 5 sites were selected, including ‘Pohang Cheolgilsup Forest in Nam-gu, Pohang-si’, which connected the city center that had been cut off by the railroad.

The landscape aesthetic improvement type applies to forests where added green spaces improved the aesthetic of city. 12 sites were selected including ‘Temi Gongwon Park Urban Forest in Jung-gu, Daejeon Metropolitan City’, where Korean cherry blossom trees cover the entire park, creating a spectacular view.

The resident health promotion type refers to forests which contribute to the promotion of physical activity and stress reduction through exercise facilities and trails. 12 sites were selected including the ‘Mansusan Mountain Mujangae barrier free Urban Forest in Namdong-gu, Incheon Metropolitan City’, where is accessible for all citizens with disabilities, elderly, and infants in safe and comfortable.

The type of community participation involves forests where residents directly participate in the creation, maintenance, and management of the forest, including tree planting and garden making. 13 sites were selected for this type, including ‘Wonheungi Saengtaegongwon Park Urban Forest in Chungju-si’, which is used as a forest ecology education center for kindergarten and elementary school students.

Urban forests maintain a lower temperature approximately 3℃ to 7℃ and higher humidity between 9 to 23% on average summer day compared to the city center. It is effective in mitigating heat island phenomenon and reducing 25.6% of fine dust and 40.9% of ultrafine dust in average.

In addition, 1 hectare of urban forest (10 years old) absorbs an average of 6.9 tons of carbon dioxide per year, directly contributing to climate change response. The trees that formed the forest create a pleasant living environment for urban dwellers by absorbing traffic noise or physically blocking the resonance through their leaves.

The average of urban forest per capita in Korea is 11.48㎡, which is still insufficient compared to major cities in developed countries such as New York (23㎡) or London (27㎡).

In response, KFS plans to expand the area of urban forests per capita to 15㎡ by 2027 and work with local governments to create urban forests that utilize local characteristics to foster local tourism resources and cultural spaces for residents.

The results of the 50 Beautiful Urban Forest are available as an e-book in the Forest Policy of the e-library on the KFS official website www.forest.go.kr

Minister LIM Sang-seop of KFS commented, “We plan to nurture urban forest as forest assets that help respond to the climate crisis and support robust local economies.” He added as, “We ask for your interest and love for urban forest, which will be always a shelter for citizens with various charm.”