Seoul City Establishes Continuous Application System for 'High-Density Development in Station Areas'... Districts to Formulate Plans

Diversification of Public Rental Housing Areas... Expansion of Long-term Jeonse Housing Supply

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is switching its high-density, mixed-use development projects around transit stations to a continuous application system. The planning process will shift from being city-centered to district-centered, allowing districts to take responsibility and authority in driving the projects.

On the 1st, Seoul announced that it has prepared improvement measures to actively expand the "Transit Station Area Revitalization Project."

The Transit Station Area Revitalization Project primarily involves increasing floor area ratios by upgrading land use from general residential to commercial zones when developing sites within a 250-meter radius from subway station platform boundaries. In return, 50% of the increased floor area ratio must be allocated to living service facilities and public rental facilities (offices and housing). This allows private developers to enhance project profitability while the public sector can expand necessary local facilities.

The city has conducted two rounds of public contests so far and is currently running pilot projects in 13 locations.

To further activate this project, Seoul plans to establish a continuous application system for project sites. The current irregular contest-based method will be replaced by a continuous application process through the 25 autonomous districts. Developers wishing to proceed with projects can apply continuously through their district offices starting from the 5th. Applicants can search for "Transit Station Area Revitalization Project" on the city’s website to check operational guidelines, complete the application form, and submit it to the district office.

Along with this, Seoul has strengthened the authority and responsibility of the districts, changing the project leadership to allow districts to lead the planning and drafting process. Previously, the city formulated the plans, but going forward, districts will prepare the plans, and the city will hold a selection committee quarterly to comprehensively review and finalize the project sites.

Additionally, the area of public rental housing will be expanded from an exclusive area of 59㎡ up to a maximum of 85㎡ to accommodate diverse housing demands, including single young adults, 3-4 person households, and middle-aged households. The long-term lease housing promised by Mayor Oh Se-hoon will also be introduced.

The city plans to actively utilize the newly designated commercial area quotas, which have been concentrated in non-Gangnam areas, for the Transit Station Area Revitalization Project. The goal is to expand commercial zones in the Gangbuk area and promote regional revitalization and balanced development. In the "2030 Seoul Living Zone Plan" finalized in 2018, the city announced plans to newly designate 1.92 million square meters of commercial areas by 2030, with 87% of this allocation concentrated in non-Gangnam areas.

Lee Jeong-hwa, Director of the Seoul City Urban Planning Bureau, said, "This will be a practical means to revitalize local living zones centered around transit stations and realize Mayor Oh’s key pledges of expanding commercial areas in non-Gangnam districts and supplying housing through long-term lease housing."

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