The Ministry of Environment developed the 'Metropolitan Area's Map of Environmental Status' in efforts to initiate adequate environmental management of the area, by outlining the zones for preservation and those for development. The separate zones are to be managed with different environmental strategies.

The Map marks five zones that require different environmental management: first and second zones(55.9%) for preservation; the third(21.4%) for both preservation and development; and the fourth and fifth(22.7%) for development. By strictly separating the area according to environmental values, this Map would serve effectively in settling the dispute between development versus preservation, which frequently occurs in carrying out developmental projects resulting in economic and social loss.

In developing this Map, the Ministry of Environment has reflected upon 67 criteria for evaluation, brought by the Ministry's comprehensive environmental research outcomes and informative resources provided by other relevant institutions. In addition, the electronic map reflecting the zone designation process as well as detailed information on each zone will also be available.

The Ministry will disclose this Map to public starting on 30 December 2003, and will also develop environmental status maps for other districts during 2004 to 2006.