Seoul City Selects 12 Universities to Participate in 'Moatown' University Collaboration

Research on 'Moatown' Linked with First Half-Year Classes

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim On-yu] On the 8th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held a qualification review committee for participating universities in the 'University Cooperation Moa Town·Moa Housing Class-Linked Project' and announced the final selection of 12 universities (graduate schools).

Introduced by Seoul in 2021, Moa Town is a project that groups and renovates old low-rise residential areas (within 100,000㎡) where large-scale redevelopment is difficult. It is a regional unit maintenance method that expands shared convenience facilities such as underground parking lots along with quality housing.

Low-rise residential area in Beondong, Gangbuk-gu to be developed into Moa Town
[Image source=Yonhap News]

A Seoul city official said, "Even though this is the first time the class-linked project contest is being promoted this year, several places nationwide including Seoul expressed their intention to participate," adding, "We confirmed that interest in Moa Town exists not only in Seoul but across the country." He further anticipated, "By having students from various regions jointly consider and participate in the common theme of low-rise residential area maintenance, more multifaceted discussions will be possible."

The University Cooperation Moa Town·Moa Housing Class-Linked Project is conducted in the first half of this year through university (graduate school) classes where professors and students study and research topics related to Moa Town. It is expected to be an opportunity for students to discover innovative design ideas and maintenance models for Moa Town while enhancing their expertise in their respective majors.

Seoul formed a 'Qualification Review Committee for Participating Universities' composed of external experts and comprehensively reviewed ▲appropriateness of contest support content ▲diversity of student participation programs ▲adequacy of budget plans, ultimately selecting 12 out of 13 universities (graduate schools) that applied for the contest, providing a total support of 100 million KRW.

To ensure substantial project operation, Seoul plans to share class progress, listen to difficulties and other suggestions from each university (graduate school) through workshops during the semester, and hold a performance sharing session after the class ends to enhance participants' pride.

Additionally, the results will be utilized in various ways such as online and offline promotion, policy materials, and exhibitions linked to symposiums to induce public interest in Moa Town·Moa Housing.

Kim Seung-won, Director of Housing Supply Planning at Seoul City, said, "We will continue to plan student participation projects related to Moa Town to help discover diverse ideas and foster experts in maintenance projects."

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