incorporated into the city's foundation. Being selected for the GCF marked the first time a large global environmental agency would be hosted in Asia. A parallel between The GCF and the World Bank can be drawn, as The GCF offers financial aid to developing countries in their quest to combat climate change. South Korea beat out 5 other competitors for this opportunity, as part of former South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak's initiative for green growth in Korea. The other competing countries were Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Namibia, and Poland. According to Chief Secretary Kim Sang-hyup, the win for selection came at only 10 days before the decision was due, and mainly because the United States decided to lend its support to Korea. Transportation Songdo IBD has wide roads and a high number of bicycle paths and walkways. The district is served by buses and by Incheon Metro Line 1, with six stations (another will be added in 2021), some with elegant interiors and interior sky-lit vistas. Although travel to Incheon International Airport is quick with the 12.3 km Incheon Bridge, transportation via subway to Seoul is less direct and requires multiple transfers but two Red class commuter buses offer direct routes to the capital city. Environmental impact In 2003, Birds Korea called for a halt to the reclamation project due to concerns of potential losses of important tidal flats. Prior to reclamation, the Songdo tidal flats had supported several threatened waterbird species, and provided a staging ground for migratory waders as they traveled between the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Popular culture Songdo International Business District was heavily featured in episodes 68 and 81 of the South Korean variety show Running Man, filmed in 2011 and 2012, respectively. It also provided the backdrop for the music video for "Gangnam Style" and "Right Now", by Korean pop star Psy. The city is featured in the 2021 video game Battlefield 2042 as the main setting of multiplayer map Kaleidoscope. Projects State University of New York (SUNY) – Korea (SBU, FIT) George Mason University Korea Campus Ghent University Global Campus University of Utah Asia Campus Yonsei University, International Campus Global Information Complex, Inha University Chadwick International First World Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea Northeast Asia Trade Tower Sheraton Incheon Hotel Songdo Canal Walk Songdo Convensia Songdo Central Park University of Incheon Gallery Songdo International City seen from Gyeonggi Province References External links New Island Hopes