On Monday 20th August 2018, the EAAFP Secretariat held a meeting with POSCO E&C in POSCO E&C Tower in Songdo, Republic of Korea. POSCO E&C is one of the largest development planning, design and construction companies in the R.O. Korea, being responsible for many of the housing, business and other developments in the Songdo International Business District where the EAAFP Secretariat is based. POSCO E&C also implements many projects worldwide.
Songdo Tidal-flat and Sorae Creek (Photo © http://maps.daum.net, source: Birds Korea- http://www.birdskorea.org/Habitats/Wetlands/Songdo/BK-HA-Songdo-Tidal-flat-reclamation-2009-03.shtml)
Songdo mud flat (photo courtesy of the Incheon Metropolitan Government) Source: http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=120605
The aim of the meeting was to introduce experience from around the world of projects that integrate conservation with development, and to investigate opportunities for introducing and adapting such kinds of integrated development to Songdo. The meeting was opened by Dr. Lew Young (Chief Executive, EAAFP Secretariat), who presented a case study of balancing wetland conservation and urban development from Hong Kong while Mr. Martin Spray (Chief Executive, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) presented WWT’s experiences in habitat management, creation and restoration with several project cases implemented in the UK and at the global level. During the discussions, the attendees discussed how to adapt the examples given to the situation in Songdo and agreed that the officials responsible for urban planning in the Government of Incheon Municipal City should also be introduced to these international case studies and to be involved in future discussion.
Black-face spoonbills in Songdo Tidal Flat. (photo courtesy of the Incheon Metropolitan Government) Source: http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=120605
Songdo is a rapidly expanding city that supports the Songdo tidal-flat Ramsar Site and the Namdong Reservoir where some 10% of the population of the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill breeds.
