Seoul Designates 9 Architectural Heritage Promotion Zones Including Bukchon

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] On the 28th, Seoul City announced that on the 24th, it designated and officially announced nine districts in the Hanok-dense areas of Jongno-gu and Seongbuk-gu as Architectural Asset Promotion Zones, the first of its kind nationwide. The areas include seven locations in Jongno-gu: Bukchon, Donhwamun-ro, Insadong, around Unhyeongung, around Jogyesa, Ikseon, and the west side of Gyeongbokgung, as well as two locations in Seongbuk-gu: Seonjam Complex and Aengdu Village.

The designation of Architectural Asset Promotion Zones marks the transition of Hanok-dense areas, which were previously managed under Seoul City ordinances, to an "Architectural Asset Promotion Management System" based on the newly enacted "Act on the Promotion of Architectural Assets including Hanok." The originally designated Hanok-dense areas have received financial support under the city ordinance established in 2002. However, the newly designated Architectural Asset Promotion Zones, based on the newly established law, provide not only financial support for Hanok and modern architectural assets within the zones but also architectural benefits such as relaxed building coverage ratios and parking installation standards during construction. The city plans to link public support projects such as remodeling consulting and counseling.

The establishment of the "Architectural Asset Promotion Zone Management Plan" for the newly designated zones is the first nationwide. Eight districts, including Donhwamun-ro, were designated on the 24th, and Bukchon, which is being revised simultaneously with the district unit plan, is scheduled to be announced on the 31st.

The management plan includes a survey of architectural assets by district, listing a total of 137 architectural assets: 62 in Bukchon and 75 in the eight districts including Donhwamun-ro. It also contains architectural asset management guidelines, special planning, and support project plans. Architectural benefits such as relaxed building coverage ratios and eased standards for installing auxiliary parking lots can be applied to these architectural assets.

Architectural assets are not cultural properties but represent an active asset concept that emphasizes practical value, considers economic enhancement, and seeks active utilization. Following this survey, the assets were finalized through the Architectural Asset Expert Committee and the Urban Architecture Joint Committee. Additional assets may be included through supplementary surveys every five years. If the owner wishes, registered architectural assets can be designated as "Excellent Architectural Assets," making them eligible for up to 100 million KRW in repair costs and support for documentation projects.

The architectural benefits under the Architectural Asset Promotion Management Plan can be applied through district unit plans, requiring the implementation of district unit plan amendment procedures. While Bukchon proceeded with the management plan establishment and district unit plan amendment simultaneously, the eight districts including Donhwamun-ro will undergo separate district unit plan amendment procedures after the management plan announcement.

Bukchon simultaneously established the Architectural Asset Promotion Zone Management Plan during the district unit plan revision phase and officially announced it in December. For other areas such as Donhwamun-ro, the management plans for the Architectural Asset Promotion Zones will be incorporated into the revised district unit plans and promoted accordingly. For areas not in the district unit plan revision phase, a unified announcement procedure allowing architectural benefits for architectural assets is planned for the first half of next year.

Ryu Hoon, Director of the Urban Regeneration Office, stated, "Cities around the world are focusing on urban revitalization through strategies that utilize historic buildings to contribute to the economic and social development of their regions." He added, "This will provide an opportunity to shift perceptions, recognizing that old architectural assets are no longer obstacles to development but important keys to urban revitalization."

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