Redevelopment of Sanggye-dong Area into Large Complex of 1,190 Households Following 'Kindergarten Collapse'

Seoul City Finalizes Rapid Integrated Planning Proposal

The area around 244 Sangdo-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, will be transformed into an eco-friendly large-scale apartment complex with 1,190 households through a rapid integrated planning project.

On the 26th, Seoul City announced that it has prepared a rapid integrated planning proposal for the 244 Sangdo-dong area, improving poor residential conditions while taking advantage of the characteristics of the hilly terrain.

Landscape Plan Proposal

Sangdo-dong is a low-rise residential area that has been formed since the 1960s while maintaining the existing urban structure. Although urban regeneration projects were previously promoted in this area, they were insufficient to fundamentally solve problems such as poor road conditions and disaster risks. The target area is a steep slope vulnerable to disasters and was the site of the Sangdo Kindergarten collapse accident in September 2018.

Through rapid integrated planning, this area is expected to be reborn as an eco-friendly residential complex with up to 29 floors and 1,190 households (51,042㎡).

The goal of this planning proposal is to create a "pleasant residential complex living with nature and neighbors," based on four principles: ① a convenient and safe complex, ② a complex open to nature and neighbors, ③ a complex with high future value, and ④ a vibrant complex communicating with local residents.

First, the current alleys made up of many retaining walls and stairs will be expanded and connected to create a circulation road system that allows convenient movement for pedestrians and vehicles, thereby enhancing accessibility to the complex. The road system of Seongdae-ro, the main access road, will be improved, and a public pedestrian path will be created on the east side of the complex to serve as a walking trail connecting to Guksabong Mountain and as a commuting route to Sangdo Elementary School and Sangdo Kindergarten.

In particular, Seongdae-ro is a key infrastructure connecting Sangdo-ro and Jangseungbaegi-ro, the main arterial roads in the Sangdo-dong area. Through this project, the disconnected sections will be connected, establishing a well-connected road system throughout Sangdo-dong. The city plans to coordinate with the redevelopment projects of Sangdo 11 District and the 279 area of Sangdo-dong (the second candidate site for rapid integrated planning) to adjust the height and reduce the steep slopes of the roads, making Seongdae-ro safe and convenient for local residents.

Second, to secure views toward Guksabong Mountain, an important natural resource in the area, visual and pedestrian axes have been established, and the complex layout has been planned to create an open landscape when viewed from nearby elementary schools and low-rise residential areas. The walking axis connecting the newly established park, the central plaza within the complex, and Guksabong Mountain preserves the traces of the historical and cultural trail created in previous regeneration projects. Considering sunlight impacts on nearby Sangdo Elementary School, buildings are arranged perpendicular to the school and low-rise residential areas.

Third, the future value of the complex has been enhanced by arranging building types according to the terrain characteristics. Terrace houses are placed in the central plaza area where level differences occur, and the relatively lower western part of the terrain is relaxed to about 29 floors, breaking away from rigid height regulations to form a harmonious skyline.

Finally, a row-type commercial area utilizing the sloped terrain will be installed along Seongdae-ro, the main street used by local residents, and community facilities will be concentrated around the central pedestrian deck plaza of the complex. It is expected to become a vibrant complex that communicates with local residents.

With the confirmation of the rapid integrated planning proposal for the 244 Sangdo-dong area, Seoul City expects to complete the maintenance plan decision within the year. The simplified procedures of rapid integrated planning are anticipated to shorten the project duration.

Jo Nam-jun, Director of the Urban Planning Bureau, said, "Through the rapid integrated planning of the 244 Sangdo-dong area, the poor and disaster-vulnerable low-rise residential area will be transformed into a convenient and safe residential complex," adding, "We plan to carefully consider not only the improvement of residential environments in individual complexes but also the infrastructure of the surrounding areas that require maintenance through rapid integrated planning."

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