The development of national gardens in Gyeonggi Province represents a key policy initiative aimed at addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and urban environmental challenges simultaneously. As environmental issues intensify, there is a growing need for integrated spatial policies that go beyond simple green space expansion. National gardens are widely recognized as an effective policy instrument that combines ecological, cultural, and tourism functions.
Gyeonggi Province possesses abundant ecological resources, including wetlands, migratory bird habitats, and forests centered around the Han River. Developing national gardens based on these assets can achieve both environmental conservation and regional economic revitalization. The case of Suncheon Bay National Garden demonstrates that national gardens significantly enhance city branding and tourism competitiveness.
The Arboretum and Garden Act establishes a dual-track system for national garden development—direct national development and promotion of local gardens—and emphasizes regional, network-based development rather than isolated projects. This reflects the policy intention to create garden belts and ecological networks. Gyeonggi Province, with its Han River ecological axis, is ideally positioned to implement such a strategy.
Currently, Gyeonggi Province is promoting eight candidate sites, each with distinct characteristics: Semiwon(traditional garden), Jaraseom(tourism-oriented), Hantangang(geo-ecological), Yeoncheon(peace-ecological), Namyangju(community ecological), Anyangcheon(urban ecological corridor), Saero Forest(urban forest garden), and Hanam K-Han River(symbolic national garden).
However, existing policies remain fragmented across garden culture, local garden, and tourism sectors. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an integrated ordinance—tentatively titled the Gyeonggi National Garden and Garden Industry Promotion Ordinance. This would unify ecological conservation, garden culture, industry, and tourism into a coherent policy framework.
In conclusion, the Gyeonggi national garden initiative represents a point–line–area integrated model that connects national gardens(points), ecological corridors(lines), and tourism regions(areas), serving as a strategic approach to sustainable regional and national development.