'Sustainable Environment
and Rich Culture'

The Presidential Commission on ACCT is committed to 'Good Architecture and Good City'

Kim Jinai, chairperson of the Presidential Commission on ACCT (Architectural Culture & Construction Technology), said her commission is committed to good architecture and good cities as well as sustainable environment and creating a rich culture.
"The Presidential Commission on ACCT was established as the last presidential commission under the government of President Roh Moo-hyun on December 21, 2005, with a mission for establishing and promoting policy programs and strategies at a state level, that could advance the architectural culture of cities and the competitiveness of various sectors of the construction industry,"Chairperson Kim said.
Under the catchphrase "Good Architecture and Good City,"the presidential commission has worked out plans for the advancement of construction technology and architectural culture that would transform the domestic construction industry into 3Cs (Creative, Credible and Competitive) one through innovation of construction technology and architectural culture, wiping out its bad reputation of the so-called 3Ds (Dirty, Difficult and Dangerous) industry.
The plans calls for the implementation of four strategies -building innovative infrastructure for architectural culture; carrying out public leading projects; establishing infrastructure for technology innovation; and building up global standard production systems. Also contained in the plans are 12 core projects and the so-called 3+3 site action campaign.
The Presidential Commission on ACCT has been establishing a collaborative regime with the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Agency to develop the planned multifunctional administrative city into an exemplary advanced city, while revamping diverse systems. The commission plans to provide support for revamping systems and project planning related to such cities as the so-called innovative cities as well as the multifunctional administrative city.
The presidential commission has a goal to create livable cities, beautiful buildings and pedestrian friendly urban spaces.
In this regard, the 13 architecture and such urban spaces have been awarded as the "Month of Architectural and Environmental Culture"by the presidential commission. They include Seonyoodo Park, which has been turned into a "recycling ecological park and offered to the citizens by the Seoul Metropolitan government; the Park Soo-keun Museum; the Kim Ok-gill Memorial, Ulsan Grand Park, the Seoul Museum of Art; the Welcome City Office; Wonhyo Bridge, Lim's Cosmo Dental Office; Hanok Village in Jeonju City; and Jongmyo, the national ancestors"shrine.
Despite the unprecedented urban growth and economic development of Korea, the modern urban environment is not as mature as anticipated. Despite the immense contribution of the industry to nation-building, the field has not achieved the technological, design and strategic competitiveness in a world market as was expected. In line with the innovations occurring in other fields, the field of construction, including architecture and urban environmental design areas should be innovated to make Korea, a culturally rich and innovative country, Chairman Kim said.
In order to make the construction industry more "creative, credible and competitive,"the commission is carrying out various tasks under the motto of "Good Architecture, Good City "such as improving related rules and regulations, reestablishing institutional arrangement, and operating innovative model projects.
The commission has made a notable progress so far. The "Korea Architectural and Urban Research Institute"as a public institution has been founded. The legislation of the "Architecture Basic Act, the "Special Building Districts Act"and "Special Governmental Procurement Act"are in progress. Innovative mode projects are being executed such as "Urban Regeneration R&D, Provision of the Korean traditional house, Han-ok, International Conference on Architectural Policies and the performances evaluation on public buildings. nw

Kim Jinai, chairperson of the Presidential Commission on Architectural Culture & Construction Technology

Chairperson Kim of the Presidential Commission on ACCT poses for the camera with NewsWorld staff.