Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) Initiatives Toward Green Growth: Lessons from Korean Experience

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide a more systematic understanding of supporting mechanisms for Green Growth based on the experiences of Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) development in South Korea. Since the enactment of “the Act to Promote Environmentally Friendly Industrial Structure” in 1995, the central government tried to establish a system for cleaner production and environmental management system. In 2005, Korea had also launched an ambitious EIP initiative under the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy. The cases of several pilot projects for EIP in Korea indicate that inappropriate selection of the target industrial parks, conflicts of interests among stakeholders, poor planning, and lack of financial support from the government deteriorated the vitality of the project as a whole. The experience of EIP development in Korea shows that the spontaneous and active participation through training programs for citizens and government officials and the cooperation between the central and local government can guarantee the success of EIP project in the future.