Seoul City to Review Development Linking City Center and GTX Stations

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is promoting the establishment of a transfer system and the development of strategic hubs through integrated development connecting the Metropolitan Area Express Train (GTX) stations and downtown areas. In particular, the GTX-B station in Yeouido plans to establish an integrated network encompassing both aboveground and underground facilities.

According to the maintenance industry on the 14th, Seoul recently commissioned a project to devise spatial innovation plans around major hubs classified as 'regional centers' or higher within the city and vehicle depots, linked with infrastructure expansion. The goal is to analyze conditions of major hubs in connection with new railway network expansion plans, explore the spatial potential of these hubs, and identify 'spatial innovation target sites.' The city plans to complete this project and produce results by the second half of next year.

Specifically, Yeouido, one of the three major downtown areas along with Gangnam and Gwanghwamun in the 2030 Seoul Plan, will review the spatial structure and transfer system of the area, consider the GTX-B line and Yeouido station location, and derive plans for integrated and connected surrounding spaces centered on the station.

Additionally, spatial development plans are expected to be prepared for major stations within Seoul where KTX and other lines are being further promoted. By investigating cases of spatial innovation centered on railway stations, such as the complex underground development of Yeongdong-daero, the plan includes creating integrated underground stations at target railway stations and reviewing spatial innovation measures for major hubs linked with railway network plans. A Seoul city official stated, "Through this project, we aim to discover transportation hubs with potential."

Meanwhile, according to a recent analysis by the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements on population and workforce numbers centered around GTX stations, the population within a 3 km radius of stations was highest in the order of Yeonsinnae Station, Mangu Station, Incheon City Hall Station, Chang-dong Station, Sindorim Station, and Kwangwoon University Station, while the number of workers was highest at Samseong Station, Yeouido Station, and Sindorim Station.

Through this project, the city will also review the relocation of vehicle depots within Seoul and plans for site utilization. By investigating the location conditions and current facilities of vehicle depots, the possibility of relocation will be examined, and directions for improving spatial structure and functions using the relocated depot sites will be proposed. The city stated, "In addition to sites already confirmed for relocation, we plan to analyze the current status of vehicle depots within Seoul to consider relocation and complex development possibilities."

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