Guro District, Seoul


Guro District is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea, which was separated from Yeongdeungpo District on April 1, 1980. Located in the southwestern part of the city, where besides Yangcheon District and Geumcheon District, Guro District has an important position as a transport link which contains railroads, land routes from the rest of Seoul to the south of the country. The Gyeongbu and Gyeongin railway lines connect Seoul to Busan and Incheon. In addition, Seoul Metropolitan Subway lines 1, 2, and 7, and major highways intersect in Guro District.
The name Guro originates from the legend that nine old men enjoyed longevity in the district.
A digital industrial complex is located in Guro District. The Guro Digital Industrial Complex, which played a leading industrial role mainly with textile manufacturing, dressmaking and other labour-intensive industries in 1967, has been rapidly changed into an IT industrial complex. This complex played a pivotal role in the economic growth of the South Korea's development era, referred to as the "Miracle on the Han River", and also contributed 10 percent of national export in the 1970s.
Twenty-one percent of the total area of Guro District is a restricted zone to be used as a greenbelt with the only arboretum in Seoul. The zone is changing into a lively district as large labour-intensive factories are moving from the area and the council is developing what it terms its four zones.
An "e-government" system based on this hosted the international e-participation forum from February 7 to 9, 2007, with the participation of more than thirty-seven countries. The forum was launched with the theme "Promoting Democracy and Regional Development" and twenty-five mayors including André Santini, Kevin Foy, Apirak Kosayothin, Uvais Mohamed Emthiyas, and world experts such as Dr William H. Dutton and Dr Ari-Veiko Anttiroiko participated in the forum. The Guro Declaration, adopted during the forum, aims to set up a portal site for e-government development and to establish a concrete project in order to bridge the digital divide among the world's cities. This practice has been recognised for providing a new important step in the development of e-democracy.
The e-participation forum was a key factor for Guro to play the leading role in bridging the digital divide among cities, to provide I.T. enterprises located in Guro Digital Industrial Complex the opportunity to launch into the international market, to improve its image and become a global leader to concrete e-democracy.

History

Early history

History of Guro can be divided into two origins: old Bupyeong and old Siheung areas.
The eastern part was known as Ingbeollo-hyeon during the Goguryeo Dynasty but it changed into Gogyang-hyeon in the period of the Unified Silla Dynasty, and again changed into Geumju and Siheung during the Goryeo period. Following a complete reorganisation of the district in 1413, it changed to Geumcheon-hyeon, later into Siheung-hyeon in 1795, and became part of Siheung-gun, Gyeonggi Province, until 1949.
The western part was known as Jubuto-gun during the Goguryeo Dynasty but it changed into Jangje-gun in the period of the Unified Silla Dynasty, and again changed into Annam, Gyeyang, Gilju and Bupyeong during the Goryeo period. In Joseon era, this area was mainly part of Sutan Township of Bupyeong Dohobu or Bupyeong Metropolitan Prefecture. In 1895, Bupyeong Dohobu was downgraded to Bupyeong County, and it was merged with outer part of old Incheon to form Bucheon County.

20th century

On August 13, 1949, the eastern part was incorporated in the enlarged administrative district of Seoul and eastern part of Sosa Town of Bucheon County was incorporated to Seoul in 1963. This area remained in the jurisdiction of Yeongdeungpo until April 1, 1980 when Guro became a new district.
Neighborhoods of Cheolsan and Gwangmyeong were once considered for annexation to Guro, but the plan foundered as government officials were afraid of further boundary expansion of Seoul and consequently Gwangmyeong was established in place of the annexation plan.

21st century

Textile manufacturing, dressmaking, and other labour-intensive industries declined after the 1990s and this affected regional development and became the cause of many problems. Because of this, Guro District council has divided the district into four zones and has started developing each zone according to its characteristics in order to revitalise the economy of the area. The four zones are: the Garibong Redevelopment Zone, Sindorim & Guro Stations area, the Gaebong Residential Area and the New Town Development on the Southwestern Outskirts. After the reorganisation of the industrial structure in the late 1990s, more than 80% of I.T. companies settled in the area, creating the Guro Digital Industrial Complex. Meanwhile, many apartments were built replacing the old textile manufacturing factories to become a new, attractive residential area for south-west Seoul. The Development of Guro District's Four Zones is intended to be the centre for environmentally friendly residences, cutting-edge digital industry and logistics.

Geography

There are nineteen dong in Guro District, which has an area of 20.11 km2, covering 3.3% of the total area of Seoul. Among the nineteen dong, Oryu 2-dong is the largest, while Garibong 2-dong is the smallest. The district is composed of 7.08 km2 which is residential, 0.42 km2 commercial, 6.89 km2 industrial and 5,72 km2 as a green belt. The geography is mostly flat, but there are some hills in the western area of the district 100 m above sea level.
Two waterways run through the district - Anyangcheon and Dorimcheon.
Since 2005, Anyangcheon has been a protected wildlife zone with considerable efforts being undertaken by the Seoul city government to improve environmental conditions and increase the presence of wildlife and the associated habitats.
Dorimcheon, on the other hand, has been extensively redeveloped and built over. For most of its course with Seoul and in Guro District in particular it runs through artificially created channels beneath or alongside Seoul Metro Line 2. Towards Sindorim station the stream reverts to a natural state and the surrounding area has been restored to provide habitats for wildlife and recreational facilities for the public.

Administrative divisions

Guro District is composed of the 15 haengjeong-dong

Guro Digital Complex

Guro Industrial Complex, the first industrial complex of the country, was created in Guro 3-dong in 1967. The World Industrial Exhibition held in Guro District in 1968 contributed to remarkable development of Guro Industrial Complex and the textile manufacturing, dressmaking, and other labour-intensive industries dubbed the "Miracle on the Han River" during the 1960s and 1970s. Guro Industrial Complex contributed 10% of national export. The Guro Industrial Complex has rapidly changed from a manufacturing industrial zone into a futuristic industrial hub, centering on research and development activities, advanced information and knowledge industries since 2000, and has developed into the largest digital industrial complex in Korea. As of 2008, there are about 8,000 venture companies with more than 100,000 staff in an area of two million m2. Moreover, it is the hub for the nation's high-tech industry which continuously focuses on R&D, high-tech knowledge and information industry. More than 80% of the companies are I.T. companies with a total production of about 5.5 trillion won and an export of about 1.5 trillion won. Especially importantly, the Korea Venture Business Association is located in Guro Industrial Complex.

D-Cube City

is a large, integrated leisure complex immediately adjacent to Sindorim Station and modeled on the Roppongi Hills development in Tokyo. It contains a Hyundai department store, a Sheraton hotel, a Lotte Cinema and arts center, a park and apartment buildings. Construction began in 2007 and the complex was opened in 2011. The project cost 1.3 billion KRW and has served as a catalyst for development in the area.

Techno Mart

Guro District hosts one of the, large Techno Marts in Seoul, the other being in Gangbyeon on the north east side of the city. The Guro Techno Mart is next to Sindorim Station and is home to large number of electronics stores, as well as other facilities including a wedding venue and an Emart.

Seoul Industrial Tools Commercial Complex

Owing to its industrial past, Guro District hosts the large Seoul Industrial Tools Commercial Complex which is located close to Guro Station on Line 1. The large complex is primarily wholesale in nature but caters to a diverse range of customers from factories to individuals. The complex was established in 1981 as a cooperative effort by local businesses. As of 2008 the complex was home to 1,900 stores.

Government and infrastructure

Local government

The administration of Guro District is mainly composed of digital, sanitary and welfare administration.

Digital administration

The digital administration is the embodiment of e-government standards. Guro District combines high tech information technology and administration to provide a digital administrative service to the citizens and a good business environment to companies.
  • E-Services refers to e-procurement, health check-up appointments at the district public health centre, civil affairs, tailored bidding information services available via the Internet, a cyber culture centre and cyber shopping mall for business.
  • E-Administration refers to e-approvals, knowledge management, and performance-based personnel management systems that allow quick and efficient administration with no use of paper.
  • E-Information is the OPEN system, newsletters, Internet broadcasting and integrated administrative information system in order to provide citizens with real-time results on topics of civil affairs as well as a wide range of useful information.
  • E-Participation is the email to the Mayor, environment-related reporting via the Internet, a Cyber Policy Forum, Cyber Citizen Panels, Citizen Opinion Polling with short message services via the Internet and mobile tools, contests for citizens' best ideas, submission of citizens' comments regarding regulations, and citizens participating in the budget process.