Yeouido Hanyang, New Planning Proposal Confirmed... Transformed into a Specialized Residential Complex

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has finalized the rapid integrated planning proposal for the Yeouido ‘Hanyang Apartment’. The site is planned to be developed into a specialized residential complex combining commercial and residential functions.

Aerial view of Hanyang Apartment, Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Photo by Seoul City)

On the 19th, Seoul announced the finalization of the rapid integrated planning proposal for Yeouido Hanyang Apartment. Built in 1975, the Yeouido Hanyang Apartment consists of 588 households. Although it passed a safety inspection in 2017 and reconstruction was actively pursued, the project was put on hold in 2018 due to controversy over the ‘Yeouido Master Plan’. According to the new rapid integrated planning proposal, the complex will be reborn with 1,000 households. Seoul plans to complete the review of the maintenance district through a public announcement of the maintenance plan within the first half of this year.

The plan also includes developing this area as a pilot case of ‘Beyond Zoning’. Moving away from a single residential function, the area will be equipped with diverse functions by upgrading residential zones to commercial zones to eliminate the division between business and residential areas, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing zoning. Instead of being classified as a Type 3 General Residential Area, this area will be upgraded to a General Commercial Area and will introduce various residential types such as non-residential facilities, officetels, and housing exclusively for foreigners.

Public contribution facilities will also be installed and operated. Comfortable office spaces will be provided for employees of nearby financial companies such as Seoul International Finance Office and Seoul Fintech Lab, and affordable spaces will be offered to tech startup entrepreneurs.

‘Gukjegeumyung-ro’ and ‘Yeouidaebang-ro’, which were previously blocked by apartment fences, will be redeveloped into commercial and business streets. The city plans to place arcade-type shops on the lower floors and secure ample pedestrian space to revitalize the streetscape. Gukjegeumyung-ro’s current sidewalk width of about 2 meters will be expanded to 10 meters, and arcade-type shops with podium designs will be planned on the lower floors to create a walkable street. Along Yeouidaebang-ro, public open community facilities such as a waterfront cultural library and community center are planned, and the path leading to the Han River will be activated.

A public open space will be installed at the site of the planned new station (Hanyang Apartment Station) to serve as a space to revitalize the area. Considering future convenience, available space will be secured for the installation of new subway entrances and public transportation transfer facilities (such as mobility stations). Additionally, through specialized design methods such as sunken plazas, the plan is to connect with open community facilities within the complex. A sunken plaza is a space created to guide natural light underground and is exposed above ground.

The maximum building height is regulated to be under 200 meters. The city explained that this is to harmonize with the overall skyline of Yeouido.

Following the pilot apartment in Yeouido, Seoul expects the reconstruction in the Yeouido area to gain momentum with the finalization of the rapid integrated planning proposal for Hanyang Apartment. By applying the simplified procedures of rapid integrated planning, the maintenance plan and district unit plan processes will proceed simultaneously, and the project period is expected to be significantly shortened through integrated review by the Urban Planning Committee’s delegated subcommittee and the project implementation plan.

Cho Nam-jun, Director of the Seoul City Urban Planning Bureau, said, “The rapid integrated planning for Hanyang Apartment is significant as the first case to introduce the concept of Beyond Zoning into residential areas, going beyond the framework of existing urban planning in the era of convergence and fusion.” He added, “We expect rapid integrated planning to play a leading role not only in housing supply but also in creating future urban competitiveness and innovating residential spaces.”

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