11 Vacant Houses in Seoul Reborn as Resident Convenience Facilities Including Gardens and Parking Lots

[Asia Economy Reporter Onyu Lim] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 31st that it has transformed 11 vacant houses in seven autonomous districts into community convenience facilities as part of an urban regeneration project utilizing long-neglected vacant houses.

The vacant house in Siheung-dong, Geumcheon-gu, which had been left as an eyesore, was reborn as a "Neighborhood Garden." Considering the lack of resting spaces in the area, the vacant house was demolished, and the walls were greened with plants that remain lush throughout the four seasons, with flowerpots placed on the ground. Benches were also installed for residents to sit and rest.

The vacant house in Hawolgok-dong, Seongbuk-gu, was demolished and converted into a "Village Parking Lot," which is now used as a resident-priority parking area. The vacant house in Dapsimni-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, was developed into a "Community Garden," while the vacant houses in Jangwi-dong and Seokgwan-dong, Seongbuk-gu, were revitalized as "Cultural and Artistic Hubs" used as exhibition spaces for artworks.

The city stated that these cases are the first examples of creating small-scale community convenience facilities (SOC) through the "Vacant House Utilization Urban Regeneration Project." Previously, the city began this project in 2018 and converted about 100 vacant houses into 526 rental housing units. The project to transform vacant houses into community convenience facilities started last year, with plans to regenerate an additional 55 locations this year and a total of 120 by next year.

Ryu Hoon, Director of Urban Regeneration at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "We will continue to increase the utilization of vacant houses by supplying rental housing to vulnerable groups such as youth and newlyweds and creating community convenience facilities for residents."

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