Dobong-gu Ssangmun-dong West Side Alley Commercial Area Revitalization Effort

Improvement of Street Environment, Convenience Facilities, and Cultural Space Creation on the West Side of Ssangmun Station... Cultural Convergence Center 'Cultural Space Value'... Completion by the End of March

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] A breeze of change has begun to blow through the alley commercial district of Ssangmun-dong in Dobong-gu (Mayor Dong-jin Lee).

Ssangmun Station on Subway Line 4 is a station area with a daily floating population of 60,000. Unlike the ‘Ssangridan-gil’ on the east side of Ssangmun Station or the main roads, the western commercial area of Ssangmun-dong is facing many difficulties in operation due to aging roads and buildings, recent economic downturn, and changes in consumption patterns.

Accordingly, since October 2018, the district has invested 1.328 billion KRW to improve the street environment, convenience facilities, and cultural spaces on the west side of Ssangmun Station.

The project area covers 240 meters of Nohae-ro 60-gil (Section A, north-south direction) and 155 meters of Dobong-ro 109-gil (Section B, east-west direction). This area is adjacent to the traditional Ssangmun Market and is home to a total of 110 various small-scale stores including restaurants, cafes, beauty salons, and clothing shops.

Starting with a detailed implementation plan study for the Ssangmun Station gourmet street project in December 2018, the district formed the ‘Ssangmun Station Gourmet Street Development Promotion Committee’ in February 2019, consisting of cultural artists, store owners, and Ssangmun Market merchants. Through resident briefings and store status surveys, the district established the ‘Basic Plan for Revitalizing the Ssangmun Station West Side Alley Commercial Area’ in June 2019 and began full-scale support to revitalize the alley commercial district.

In particular, the district completed remodeling of the cultural convergence center ‘Cultural Space Gachi’ at the end of March. This space, with a total floor area of 96.38㎡, is equipped with a community room, sound control room, stage, and screen. Once the COVID-19 spread stabilizes, various programs and promotions targeting the millennial generation, such as exhibitions, performances, and video production clubs, are expected to be held here.

Additionally, programs to activate community ties between local residents and merchants and to strengthen merchants’ capabilities will be operated.

Furthermore, in September last year, the district was selected for Seoul City’s ‘Our Neighborhood Store Artterior Contest’ and secured 149 million KRW in city funds.

Accordingly, 15 young artists were recruited to provide artterior support?including interior design and marketing reflecting the latest trends tailored to the characteristics of 41 stores?receiving great response from merchants.

Moreover, through repaving of aging roads and design coating work, pedestrian pathways were created, and benches (Happy Rest Areas) were installed in the middle of the street for resting.

Currently, the district is in the final stages of the alley commercial district revitalization project, carrying out environmental improvement projects such as replacing design LED signs and maintaining overhead communication lines.

Mayor Dong-jin Lee of Dobong-gu said, “The revitalization of the Ssangmun-dong west side alley commercial district is an achievement made possible through communication and cooperation among local residents, merchants, and the district office,” and added, “We hope the alley commercial district revitalization project will activate the local economy.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.