A large-sized artificial wetland, designated as a substitute for migratory bird habitats following the reclamation of Incheon Songdo International City, is to be made into an international tourist hotspot.
The Incheon Fee Economic Zone (IFEZ) said on Aug. 28 IFEZ plans to build “Songdo International Eco Center” at a bird habitat substitution area covering 177,000 sq. meters at Songdo 11-2 Construction Section by 2030.
Songdo International Eco Center will consist of a core part with a variety of wetland areas, a buffer zone with undercover bird-watch facilities and a cooperation zone with exhibition and education facilities.
The project area, coexisting with Seunggi-cheon and wetland areas, is spotted with migratory birds, such as endangered black-faced spoonbill and common loon, also known as Great Northern Dive, annually.
IFEZ has in mind a plan to make Songdo International Eco Center an international tourist hotspot through nature and balanced development by taking its cue from London Wetland Center.
London Wetland Center, being restored a former artificial reservoir for tap water resources as a wetland area, now serves as an ecological experience site with a variety of education and exhibition space.
On the same day, IFEZ had an inaugural meeting of a taskforce team designed to make Songdo International Eco Center an international tourist hotspot with the Korea Polar Research Institute and Incheon Research Institute.
IFEZ Commissioner Ham Dong-geun, head of IFEZ’s Songdo Business Division, said, “A large-sized wetland area will play a pivotal role in creating a sustainable city, and we will devote ourselves to making the project a success.”
An artist conception of the Art Center Incheon Phase II Project.
IFEZ to Make Art Center Incheon Phase II, Incheon’s Culture & Art Landmark
The Incheon Fee Economic Zone said on Sept. 4 IFEZ will implement the second phase project of the Art Center Incheon, Incheon’s world-class performance facility, which was opened seven years ago.
According to IFEZ, the Art Center Incheon Phase II Project is now under an investment review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), Incheon City government and IFEZ have prioritized the improving of economic feasibility to obtain a go-ahead after the project was returned in a first and 3rd review in 2024.
If the project is approved by a central investment review this year, the project is scheduled to be dedicated in 2029, IFEZ said.
The renovated Art Center Incheon is to be opened in late 2029 after it goes through a trial operation and a test-operation.
Currently, Art Center Incheon with 1,727 seats is operated primarily for concerts, but it finds it hard to accommodate exhibitions and performances of genres other than music.
The project calls for adding “Opera House,” a multi-purpose performance site and “Art & Tech Center” to make Art Center Incheon a multi-purpose culture and art center.
The Opera House will attract and show world-class musical, opera, ballet, drama and dance performances.
The Art & Tech Center will be used for displaying diverse art and tech convergence, such as experimental projects, communications with citizens, artists and experts and creation of new content.
2025 IFEZ Festival, Renamed ‘IFEsta,’ to be Reborn as K-Pop Festivals
The Incheon Fee Economic Zone’s festivals focusing on traditional culture are to be reborn into K-content-oriented ones.
IFEZ said the authority will integrate Songdo, Yeongjong and Cheongna’s representative cultures into the brand “I♥Festa” and the festivals will be renewed as K-culture festivals.
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