Old-Age Planning City Special Act … Former Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-mu "Changwon Must Be Included" vs Current Changwon City's "Cautious Approach"

Former Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-mu argued that Changwon City should be included in the government's proposed Special Act on Aging Planned Cities.

On the 15th, former Mayor Heo held a press conference at Changwon City Hall's press room and said, "I will do my best to persuade members of the National Assembly to ensure that Changwon City is included in the Special Act on Aging Planned Cities."

He stated, "In February, the government announced its plan to systematically promote the wide-area redevelopment of aging planned cities, such as first-generation new towns, by enacting a Special Act on the Maintenance and Support of Aging Planned Cities."

He explained, "The bill designates land sites of over 1 million square meters that have been completed for more than 20 years as aging planned cities, aiming to swiftly transform aging cities, which are difficult to redevelop under the existing Urban and Residential Environment Maintenance Act, into future cities."

Former Mayor Heo evaluated that the Special Act on Aging Planned Cities would provide relief to regional hub cities struggling with reconstruction.

He said that if included as an aging planned city, special measures such as ▲designation of special maintenance zones for high-density, mid-to-high-rise apartment complexes ▲exemption or relaxation of safety inspections during reconstruction ▲increased floor area ratio ▲simplification of reconstruction procedures would be available.

He added, "There are 51 districts nationwide designated as aging planned cities, including three in Gyeongnam?Gimhae Jangyu, Bukbu, and Naeoe districts?but Changwon is not included. It is unfair and contrary to the legislative intent that Changwon, which was developed much earlier than the first-generation new towns, is excluded."

Former Mayor Heo said, "Although the bill is currently pending in the subcommittee of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, President Yoon Seok-yeol requested its passage within the year at the Cabinet meeting on the 14th, and the Democratic Party floor leader also pledged to lead its passage within the year, so there is a high possibility the bill will be passed this year."

"Before the bill passes, I will continue efforts such as meeting party leaders and lawmakers to include Changwon City in the scope of this law, and together with the citizens of Changwon, we plan to launch a petition campaign targeting the government and the National Assembly," he added.

Former Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-mu is holding a press conference at the Changwon City Hall press room.
[Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]

Changwon City has taken a cautious stance on whether it should be subject to the special act.

In a press release, the city explained, "The background of the special act is the large-scale housing supply in a short period in new towns in the metropolitan area, which is a different situation from Changwon. Moreover, there is no land site over 1 million square meters that has been completed for more than 20 years to which the act would apply."

"Without considering this, simply advocating for reconstruction project special measures could promote indiscriminate development. Changwon City has already prepared an urban design for the next 50 years," the city stated.

"Last month, we reviewed the pros and cons assuming we were subject to the special act, but the current situation is more favorable to citizens," it said. "If large-scale apartment complexes are built solely under the special act, the flexibility of mixed-use residential areas and the city's potential will be lost, and it was clearly assessed that the quality of life for citizens would decline."

The city added, "After recent expert reviews, we have prepared a redevelopment plan for the next 50 years and are gathering residents' opinions. We will carefully examine sustainable development and housing diversity to finalize a rational and balanced redevelopment plan."

"We will thoroughly review the subcommittee and National Assembly passage materials of the Special Act on Aging Planned Cities, and if we determine that even the smallest benefit will come to citizens, we plan to actively respond, including launching a citywide signature campaign," the city said.

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