June Daejeon Newsletter
From InsideDaejeon
Contents |
June, 2009
Daejeon hosted the International Conference on Innovation Clusters (ICIC) in May, bringing together a large number of CEOs from major technology companies to check out the research institutes in Korea's "silicon valley," the Daedeok Innopolis. The event was overseen by the new CEO of Daedeok Innopolis, Kang Dugye, who has brought remarkable vitality to the institution with his hard work and his commitment. He has shaken the place up and put it on track.
KAIST continues to thrive, now in its second year of all-English instruction. The recent merger with ICU (Information Communications University) has greatly expanded KAIST's capabilities and expanded its overall presence.
President Suh continues to grab headlines. For example, his plan to develop electric cars for the Daedeok area that run on batteries suplemented by underground electric cables is also inching towards realization.
The implementation of a 'Green Growth' model for all of Daejeon has essentially become city policy under Mayor Park Sunghyo. Trees are being planted everywhere under the new "green growth" policy. The three rivers are also undergoing massive renovations that consist of the removal of all the concrete that once covered the banks of the rivers. The largest, the Gapcheon, will have landscaped banks and an increased amount of grass. The Daejeon river and Yudeung River will also, on a smaller scale be remodeled with walkways and plants. The water, however, is still not enough. Perhaps more will be allowed to flow down through the Daecheong Dam.
Free bicycles are now available in many neighborhoods. Plans are also underway for extensive new bike paths and even a plan for innovative and creative new bicyles to make Daejeon a bicycle haven.
The Dong-gu district around Daejeon Station is undergoing the most radical changes. The construction that began with the Samsung Town Apartments and GS Zai Apartments is expanding to a complete rebuilding of the district with most of the small stores marked for demolition. In the Samsung area the most important change is the SolBridge International School of Business, a grey 14 storey building with an extensive health club, classrooms and luxury business center/hotel (SolHeim) that is changing the entire neighborhood.
As the only Korean school with an essentially all foreign faculty and student body, SolBridge has made waves and captured the imagination, right in the middle of the Dong-gu remodelling.
KORAIL national headquarters are rising as two towers above Daejeon Station and will be complete soon, transforming the area. But there are more buildings planned, including the new offices of the Dong-gu District, an impressive building planned to look like two enormous milk cartons on their sides.
We have noticed a great increase in the number of internationals in Daejeon the last few years. We find Chinese markets all through Dong-gu today. We also see large foreign populations from all over Asia at KAIST and Chungnam.
There are many interesting events coming up in the months ahead:
International Convention of Asia Scholars
August 6-9, 2009
A massive gathering of experts on Asia from around the world in the social sciences and liberal arts. The event will be hosted by Chungnam University.
United Nations Environment Programme Tunza Environment Conference for Children and Youth
August 17- 25, 2009
A conference that will bring 1000 young people from 100 countries together in Daejeon to discuss the environmental crisis and propose concrete solutions.
International Astronautical Convention IAC October 12-16, 2009
A massive conference on space technology to be held in Daejeon.
International Association of Science Parks May 23-26, 2010
The theme of this international conference is Global Green Growth.
