Full-Scale Launch of Urban Convergence Special Zone Pilot Projects in 5 Metropolitan Cities

April 25 Enforcement of 'Urban Convergence Special Zone Act' Subordinate Legislation Public Notice

In line with the Urban Convergence Special Zone Act, which will take effect from April 25, the government will announce the enforcement decree and enforcement rules for public comment.

Once the system is fully established, Urban Convergence Special Zones will be designated, and pilot projects will be actively launched in the five major metropolitan cities (Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Ulsan).

On the 9th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) announced that to actively promote the Urban Convergence Special Zone project, the subordinate legislation of the "Special Act on the Creation and Promotion of Urban Convergence Special Zones" (Urban Convergence Special Zone Act) will be open for public comment from the 11th of this month until February 20.

The Urban Convergence Special Zone project aims to create complex hubs in the downtown areas of regional large cities where jobs, housing, and leisure are concentrated. While development has traditionally occurred on the outskirts of cities, this project significantly relaxes urban and architectural regulations to enable high-density mixed-use development in downtown areas. Additionally, it designates regulatory-free special zones to provide specific benefits tailored to each special zone.

The draft enforcement decree and enforcement rules of the Urban Convergence Special Zone Act include detailed provisions delegated by the Act, such as the establishment of comprehensive development plans, designation of Urban Convergence Special Zones, and implementation of Urban Convergence Special Zone development projects. They also stipulate various supports and special cases related to the Urban Convergence Special Zones.

Public institutions responsible for Urban Convergence Special Zone-related projects include 11 public institutions such as Korea Land and Housing Corporation, Korea Railroad Corporation, Korea Asset Management Corporation, and institutions designated by local governments through ordinances.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to delegate many aspects to local ordinances so that local governments can autonomously and proactively create and operate the special zones.

Park Jeong-su, Director of the Growth Hub Policy Division at MOLIT, stated, "If the foundational law for the Urban Convergence Special Zones is finalized by April, the designation of special zones and the establishment of basic plans will accelerate, and pilot projects in the five major metropolitan cities will be actively promoted."

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