Bucheon unveils 'B.I.G' city vision on Citizens' Day

Bucheon has unveiled a new urban vision spanning AI, industry, metropolitan transportation, and welfare and education, as the city moves to accelerate its transformation into a future-ready metropolis.

The city held its 53rd Bucheon Citizens' Day ceremony Thursday on the lawn plaza of City Hall, where Mayor Jo Yong-ik proclaimed the "B.I.G Bucheon" vision under the theme "Greater Expectations, Greater Future."

B.I.G Bucheon is an urban strategy that distills the city's vision into three directions.

The "B," standing for "Bigger," envisions a city that attracts businesses, jobs and capital through initiatives such as an AI compact city and the development of the Daejang urban high-tech industrial complex, laying a new foundation for regional economic growth.

The "I," for "Improvement," aims to reduce the time residents spend commuting and going about their daily lives by expanding the metropolitan transportation network and upgrading residential environments.

The "G," for "Growth," calls for expanding life-cycle support and broadening access to education and cultural opportunities, so residents can grow and enjoy culture and leisure at every stage of life.

City officials and guests marked the launch of the new vision with a lighting performance featuring the vision sculpture.

The ceremony also served as an occasion to recognize the contributions of residents and community members.

The third Bucheon Civic Award honored recipients across six categories: social service, industrial economy, sports promotion, environment, education and academia, and community development.

The winners were Kim Tae-ung, former head of the Bucheon Autonomous Disaster Prevention Corps, in social service; Park Jong-hyeon, chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions' Bucheon-Gimpo regional branch, in industrial economy; Bang Seung-hun, swimming director of the Bucheon City Hall workplace sports team, in sports promotion; Shin Mi-ja, chief executive of GN Green Co., in environment; Kim Young-chan, principal of Bucheon High School, in education and academia; and Eom Jeong-tae, head of Samil Industrial Co., in community development.

The honorees were recognized for their contributions in areas including disaster prevention and recovery, protection of workers' rights, development of competitive sports, creation of a greener environment, advancement of local education, and support for vulnerable populations.

"It is meaningful to celebrate Citizens' Day together with the residents who have made Bucheon what it is today," Mayor Jo said. "We will reflect citizens' hopes and aspirations in city governance and build a greater future together."