Seoul Bokhap Thermal Power Plant Underground Conversion and Aboveground Cultural Complex Space Rebirth Remodeling Underway

Hongdae~Danginri Culture Creation Development Center~Han River Waterfront Pedestrian Axis Accelerated... Han River Mapo Retention Basin 'Hallyu Performance Tourism Complex' with 2,100-Seat Professional Theater Construction

The park created in the first phase on the ground site of the Seoul Combined Cycle Power Plant, with the decommissioned power plant units 4 and 5 on the left currently being remodeled into a cultural creation space.

Seoul Combined Cycle Power Plant Aboveground Site Park Development Pre-Site View

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] “We will successfully promote large-scale investment projects such as the development of the Mapo Retention Basin ‘Hallyu Performance Tourism Complex’ to expand cultural tourism infrastructure and enhance the value of the region.” (Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo District)

Mapo District is set to actively develop cultural tourism infrastructure to revive the local economy, which has been stagnant due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, and to drive regional development.

First, the remodeling project to transform Dangin-ri Power Plant (currently Seoul Combined Heat and Power Plant), Korea’s first coal-fired power plant, into an underground cultural complex space that produces cultural value above ground is underway.

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) combined heat and power plant, which replaced the existing coal power plant, was moved underground in 2019 and is currently producing electricity and heating. This is the world’s first LNG combined heat and power plant built underground in an urban area.

As the power plant was relocated underground, a park was created on the original site as the first phase of the project, which is scheduled to open in April. The second phase involves transforming the decommissioned power plant units 4 and 5 into cultural creative spaces such as an industrial heritage experience area, a 500-seat performance hall, and an exhibition hall, with completion expected in 2023.

Alongside this, a resident convenience facility for local residents who have suffered from noise and air pollution caused by the power plant was finalized last October through a design competition. The facility will include a swimming pool, futsal court, and a multipurpose gymnasium, spanning from basement level 1 to the 4th floor above ground, with a total floor area of 4,991㎡.

Meanwhile, the old Dangin-ri Line near the Seoul Thermal Power Plant, passing through the aging residential area of Dangin-dong (Eoulmadang-ro), will be reborn as a railway-themed street called ‘Dangin Munhwa-ro’ based on historical traces. Selected in June last year as part of the ‘2020 Seoul Alleyway Regeneration Project,’ the plan includes creating a railway-themed intersection, a photo zone at the old Dangin-ri Station, and rest areas by 2022.

A district official stated, “‘Dangin Munhwa-ro’ will serve as a space connecting Hongdae and the Dangin-ri Cultural Creative Power Plant,” adding, “The plan is to transform this area from a place that used to transport coal into a place that transports culture.”

Once completed, a new pedestrian path will open, connecting the Hongdae Gyeongui Line Forest Trail, the power plant site park, and the Han River.

To this end, the district is developing underground spaces around ‘Walkable Street’ and ‘Eoulmadang-ro’ to build parking lots and create eco-friendly resting parks and cultural plazas above ground, along with designating the Hongdae area as a tourism special zone.

Meanwhile, to capture tourism demand in the post-COVID era and expand the insufficient performance infrastructure in northwest Seoul, work has begun on the ‘Hallyu Performance Tourism Complex,’ an international professional performance hall scheduled to open in 2025 near Mapo Station at the Mapo Retention Basin public parking lot (Mapo-dong 36-1).

The ‘Hallyu Performance Tourism Complex’ will be a professional performance venue with a total floor area of 11,778㎡, five floors above ground, and approximately 2,100 seats, where visitors can enjoy K-pop and non-verbal performances. It is expected to contribute not only to an increase in tourists but also to the revitalization of the local economy.

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo District, said, “The Mapo Retention Basin ‘Hallyu Performance Tourism Complex’ will serve as a forward base to promote the status of Korea as a cultural powerhouse and as a performance culture hub in Mapo.” He added, “We will further strengthen Mapo’s capabilities as a cultural tourism city to revitalize the stagnant local economy and expand cultural enjoyment opportunities for residents.”

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