The Gochang County Urban Regeneration Support Center, operated by the Research Infrastructure Establishment Project Group of the Industry-University Cooperation, led by Professor Hwang Ji-wook, received the Korea Land and Housing Corporation President's Award, the top prize, at the "Urban Regeneration Support Center Best Practices" awards ceremony held on the 17th at the Culture Factory complex in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do. Gochang County was the only county-level region to be recognized.

The event, hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, selected outstanding support centers among urban regeneration support centers nationwide based on resident-centered projects and urban regeneration activities, organic collaboration among administration, centers, and residents, governance operations, and active publicity efforts.

Following a nationwide preliminary screening, six teams advanced to the finals. Through presentation evaluations on the day, the Moyangseong Village Urban Regeneration Field Support Center in Gochang County was selected as an outstanding field center and received the award.

Moyangseong Village in Gochang County was selected as a "2018 Urban Regeneration Leading Project" and, during the project period, closely engaged with residents to carry out a variety of resident participation programs. The center operated customized education reflecting resident needs and sought to strengthen the village’s self-sustainability and establish virtuous cycles among residents. Projects proposed by residents were incorporated into educational programs, and certificate courses were introduced to help ensure the Moyangseong Village urban regeneration project would be sustainable.

Because Moyangseong Village was selected as a residential support-type site, there was strong interest and participation from residents in the aging housing renovation project (hereinafter the "home-repair project"). The home-repair project included tasks that are difficult for residents to perform directly, such as selecting contractors, signing contracts, and developing project plans. The center provided tailored home-repair training and closely supported residents so they could carry out the work themselves. As a result, 40 aging households were able to proceed with the project without complications.

In addition, by mutually linking with basic and metropolitan urban regeneration support centers to conduct on-site monitoring and capacity-building training, the center earned high marks for managing the capabilities of its staff members.

Professor Hwang Ji-wook, director of the Gochang County Urban Regeneration Support Center, said, "This result comes from the efforts made together with the residents who have protected Moyangseong Village like a tree guarding ancestral burial grounds," and added, "The center will continue to strive to be a reliable support for residents going forward."