Daegu City Announces Legislative Notice for Amendment of Building Ordinance... Restricting High-Rise Residential Complexes

Adjustment of Floor Area Ratio for Residential Complexes, Abolition of Use-Based Floor Area System... Total Floor Area Ratio 800~1300%, Residential Use 400%

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Daegu City announced on the 19th that it will prepare a draft amendment to the urban planning ordinance to revise the floor area ratio (FAR) calculation standards for residential complex buildings in commercial areas to prevent high-rise, high-density residential development, and will publicly announce the legislation from the 20th to September 10th.

In urban planning, zoning plans rationally consider the interrelated factors such as urban spatial structure, transportation and infrastructure layout, residential environment protection, and landscape to divide areas.

Among zoning districts, commercial areas function as central living zones such as downtown and sub-centers in the urban spatial structure, responsible for invigorating the city through the arrangement and concentration of commercial, business, social, and cultural facilities. Pure apartment-type multi-family housing is generally not allowed to be constructed in these areas.

Since 2003, Daegu City has introduced a use-based floor area system in the urban planning ordinance to partially allow mixed-use residential complex buildings combining residential, commercial, and business functions, aiming to promote 'proximity of work and residence' (직주근접) and prevent downtown hollowing. The use-based floor area system applies differential floor area ratios according to the residential use ratio in mixed-use residential buildings.

However, recently, the excessive influx of residential functions due to the concentrated construction of high-rise, high-density residential complex buildings utilizing the high floor area ratios applied in commercial areas has gradually transformed commercial areas into residential zones. This has caused problems such as deterioration of living conditions including sunlight and view obstruction, lack of infrastructure such as schools, and increased complaints from local residents. Currently, the floor area ratio is set at 250% for Type 3 general residential areas, and between 600% and 1300% in central commercial areas depending on the residential use ratio (90:10).

Recently, the Daegu City Council expressed concerns about the construction of high-rise residential complex buildings in major commercial intersections such as the downtown area and Beomeo Intersection and urged the preparation of countermeasures.

To resolve these issues, Daegu City has decided to abolish the use-based floor area system applied to residential complex buildings in commercial areas. The total floor area ratio will be allowed up to the maximum currently permitted by the ordinance (1300% for central commercial, 1000% for general commercial, 800% for neighborhood commercial), but the residential floor area ratio will be capped at 400%. Additionally, the urban planning ordinance will be amended to realistically classify quasi-residential buildings such as officetels, which are actually used for residential purposes, from non-residential to residential use.

Through this ordinance amendment, Daegu City expects that areas with high demand for commercial facilities will allow high-rise, high-density development, while commercial areas near residential zones will develop according to the demand for commercial facilities, enabling autonomous height and density management suited to the location characteristics of each land parcel.

The detailed contents of this draft amendment will be posted on the official gazette and Daegu City’s website starting from the 20th. Those who have opinions on the draft can submit their comments to the Urban Planning Division of Daegu City by September 10th. During the 20-day legislative announcement period, Daegu City will collect diverse opinions from various sectors and proceed with administrative procedures including the ordinance and regulation review committee and city council deliberations, aiming to promulgate and enforce the amendment around the end of October.

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