What Will Geumcheon-gu Look Like 20 Years from Now?

Establishment of the '2040 Geumcheon-gu Comprehensive Urban Management Plan'... Development of commercialization plans for 146 projects in 5 sectors by 2040 (approx. KRW 27.26 trillion)... Envisioning the future of 'Geumcheon, the No.1 Happy City for Residents' with proximity of residence and work, transportation, cultural welfare, urban regeneration, safety, etc.... Enhancing execution through sharing plans with residents and establishing a performance monitoring system

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yu Seong-hoon) has established the "2040 Geumcheon-gu Comprehensive Urban Management Plan," which contains the future blueprint of Geumcheon 20 years from now.

The "2040 Geumcheon-gu Comprehensive Urban Management Plan" is Geumcheon-gu's highest-level plan that presents a long-term urban development direction and serves as a guideline for Geumcheon's innovative growth.

Under the vision of "Geumcheon, the No.1 City for Residents' Happiness," the plan sets strategic goals including ▲ balanced regional development ▲ realization of a self-sufficient city with proximity between residence and workplace ▲ establishment of a well-connected transportation infrastructure ▲ realization of a "10-minute cultural welfare neighborhood" ▲ resident communication and urban regeneration ▲ and people-centered smart life.

Looking at the main contents, the target population for 2040 is set to maintain about 250,000 residents, similar to the current population, considering the population trends of Seoul where a continuous decrease in Geumcheon-gu's population is expected, but also comprehensively taking into account conditions for sustainable urban growth.

The urban spatial structure plans to add one station area (Seoksu) to the existing 1 metropolitan center (Gasan·Daerim), 2 district centers (Doksan, Siheung), and 3 living zone centers (Munseong, Jeongsim, Siheung) to increase the efficiency of urban functions and balanced development between regions.

Regarding urban development axes, considering regional characteristics, four north-south development axes (advanced technology, commercial·business, living-centered, waterfront·green space) and two new east-west development axes (Beoman-ro, Geumha-ro) are newly established to promote organic connections among industrial, residential, educational, and cultural spaces, enabling balanced development between the east and west sides divided by Siheung-daero.

Following the confirmation of the "2030 Seoul Living Area Plan" and the allocation of commercial area expansion by region and autonomous district, Geumcheon-gu will expand commercial areas using the allocated 37,000㎡.

In the semi-industrial areas, which account for about 32% of the total district area, functions supporting industrial and residential living zones will be strengthened through industrial hub development and construction of mixed residential facilities.

Additionally, for the low-rise residential areas on the east side, which account for about 18% of the total district area, development promotion plans such as public redevelopment and street housing maintenance projects will be prepared to realize a self-sufficient city with proximity between residence and workplace.

Furthermore, for the low-rise residential areas on the east side, which account for about 18% of the total district area, a "plan first, project later" approach will be introduced, preparing development promotion plans such as public redevelopment and street housing maintenance projects to realize a self-sufficient city with proximity between residence and workplace.

In the transportation sector, to prevent the emergence of railway transportation blind spots, consultations will be held with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Seoul Metropolitan Government, and neighboring local governments to promote the Southern Metropolitan Express Railway, extension of the Sillim Line, and extension of Incheon Line 2.

Also, to improve residents' accessibility to the Sinansan Line scheduled to open in 2024, new connecting roads between Siheung-daero and Doksan-ro will be constructed, and internal residential roads will be expanded to improve the road network.

The district aims to strengthen regional competitiveness by neighborhood and resolve cultural and welfare blind spots through network building with the goal of realizing a "10-minute cultural welfare neighborhood."

By utilizing underused public idle sites in 10 neighborhoods and facility complexification, one "Happiness Park" per neighborhood will be created as a resident joint-use hub space where residents can communicate, enjoy welfare, and culture, thereby expanding the lacking living SOC facilities by living zone.

Additionally, cultural welfare facility demands will be met through the construction of the Residents' Hall, Citizen Hall, West Seoul Museum of Art, and expansion of public libraries, and welfare support systems for marginalized groups will be strengthened through the establishment of an integrated welfare program management system.

An education specialization plan is also included. By revitalizing the Geumcheon Innovative Education District project such as science, environment, health, and musical schools, expanding overseas training for students, scholarships, and education for parents, support for public education will be strengthened to improve education satisfaction.

Centered on the Doksan and Siheung residential living zones where schools are concentrated, an academy district will be created along Doksan-ro living street by linking with district unit plans and providing incentives for academy establishment.

Furthermore, according to the park and green space plan, a life sports theme park will be created around Mokgolsan near the Doksan-dong residential area, linked with Geumcheon Sports Park, Badminton Gymnasium, and foothill parks. In the Siheung Valley area, an ecological park, sports facilities, forest bathing sites, and children's natural playgrounds will be established to improve residents' quality of life through a healthy ecological forest.

Currently, there are a total of 14 urban regeneration projects completed or underway in the district. Based on various urban regeneration experiences, public-private governance, and historical, cultural, and natural resources, Geumcheon-type urban regeneration projects tailored to the characteristics of each living zone will be promoted.

To this end, in the preparatory stages such as government urban regeneration preliminary projects, Seoul city hope projects, and small-scale resident public projects, public and resident collaboration will form a consensus to ensure sustainability. During project implementation, synergy effects will be maximized by discovering linked projects such as living SOC projects and small-scale housing maintenance projects.

One of the achievements cited is the selection of the "Doksan 2-dong Doksan Elementary School area" as a Seoul-type urban regeneration activation area in September 2020, based on active participation of local residents and the district's strong will for successful project promotion during the candidate site selection process for urban regeneration plan establishment.

The district has included various preemptive response measures to disasters such as infectious diseases in the unprecedented COVID-19 situation in the plan.

By organically linking the establishment of living zone unit health centers (branches), disease prevention management systems, completion of a comprehensive medical system through cooperation between general hospitals and health administration, and promotion of international safe city certification, a safe city network will be built.

To ensure the execution of the "2040 Geumcheon-gu Comprehensive Urban Management Plan," the district has also prepared implementation plans such as administrative and financial plans, expecting that about KRW 27.26 trillion will be required for 146 projects across five sectors.

Going forward, the district will continuously promote institutional consultations, share the plan contents with residents through urban school operations, and enhance the plan's execution by establishing a performance monitoring system.

Mayor Yu Seong-hoon stated, "The 2040 Comprehensive Urban Management Plan contains the development direction and hopeful future image of Geumcheon-gu based on the opinions of experts and residents on local issues," adding, "Under the urban vision of 'Geumcheon, the No.1 City for Residents' Happiness,' we will do our utmost to make Geumcheon a happier and better place to live for our residents."

For more details, inquiries can be made to the Urban Planning Division of Geumcheon-gu Office.

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