Calls for Measures Addressing Repeated Tree Felling in Redevelopment Projects

About 200 street trees were cut down at a large redevelopment site in the heart of Gwangju. The target area is along the main road in Im-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. Since the developer requested permission late last year, trees have been removed since May following procedures such as resident briefings and deliberations.

The Buk-gu Office initially reviewed a plan to transplant the trees elsewhere. However, it stated that transplantation was impossible due to the difficulty of excavating the entire root system because of underground buried utilities, as well as the size and quantity of the trees.

Kim Jong-pil, secretary-general of the Gwangju Environmental Federation, pointed out that street trees play a role in mitigating extreme heat and the urban heat island effect in this era of climate crisis. He urged the preparation of clear measures to preserve and manage large trees.

Even if new trees are planted after construction is complete, it will take decades to restore the lush shade of the past. The disappearance of street trees pushed aside by development logic is being repeated every time redevelopment takes place.