Another Green Space in PNU: Welcomed and Doubted

Another natural grass square will be created in the middle of the Pusan National University (PNU) to provide students with a new relaxation space. However, regarding that the Nuknukhan-Teo (Nuk-Teo) has changed to a natural grass square but is now restricted placing boards of “No Entrance,” the practical usability of the new square remains uncertain.

On March 29th, it was confirmed that PNU has been demolishing the existing Natural Science Building and conducting construction to create a park on the site since January 19th. According to the Division of Facilities Management, this construction involves an investment of 300 million won and aims to be completed by April 22nd, creating a natural grass square at the center of the campus to provide a new relaxation space for university members (reported by “Channel PNU” on March 14th, 2024).

The news of a new natural grass square is welcomed by PNU members. With a building number of 400s, the site of the Natural Science Building is central to PNU’s Busan Campus, making it easily accessible for students. Lee Hyun-Jin (Dept. of Political Science and Diplomacy, 23) expressed, “There weren’t many green spaces where we could relax outdoors. But if the park is created where we can take a break without going down to Nuk-Teo, I think I’ll use it frequently.” A representative from the Division of Facilities Management stated, “The construction includes a plan that changes an asphalt road into a park. Transforming the area will make it a ‘pedestrian-friendly campus.’”

However, there is also significant concern that a situation similar to the case of Nuk-Teo may recur. Although Nuk-Teo transformed into a grass square on May 16th last year, members of PNU could rarely use the square. Nuk-Teo was off-limits in this winter break on the entrance ceremony day, citing “grass protection.” The issue of Nuk-Teo’s limited usability has been consistently raised since its plantation (reported by “Channel PNU” on September 1st and 27th, 2023).

According to experts, the “Korean lawngrass” used in both Nuk-Teo and the new square is not suitable for continuous open access. Korean lawngrass is a type of warm-season grass, which is not suitable for cold environments. It enters a dormant period except during the growth period from May to late September. The problem is that stepping on the grass during the dormant period causes damage to the growth point of the grass and prevents new growth. Choi Hee-Yeol (Researcher, Korean Turfgrass Research Institute) stated, “If the grass is continuously stepped on when it starts to grow, that area becomes bare ground. While a little stepping on the grass is not a problem, if the grass field becomes a passage or is continuously stepped on, it will inevitably be damaged.”

Eventually, it remains uncertain how frequently students will be able to utilize the grass square created for their relaxation space as the only way to prevent grass damage and ensure continuous growth is by “not stepping on it.” Park So-Hyun (Dept. of Political Science and Diplomacy, 23) said, “If access is frequently restricted due to the use of grass in creating the new square, I doubt whether such spaces are suitable for practical use.”

Reporter Choi Yun-Hui

Translated by Lee Soo-Hyun