Yeongdeungpo-gu, Mayor Oh Se-hoon's Urban Grand Renovation Part 1 'Southwest Region Development Plan' Warmly Welcomed

Yeongdeungpo Semi-Industrial Area Accounts for 25%, the Highest Ratio Among Seoul Districts
High Expectations for Ordinance Amendment Raising Floor Area Ratio to 400% in Semi-Industrial Zones
Plans to Develop into a Future 4th Industrial Revolution Economic Hub and a Complex City Combining Industry, Residence, and Culture
District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon: "We Will Do Our Best to Open the Yeongdeungpo Renaissance Era, the Second Miracle of the Han River"

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) expressed active welcome and support on the 27th of last month for the ‘Southwest Seoul Major Renovation Plan’ announced by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

The main points of the Seoul Southwest development plan are ▲ transforming the semi-industrial areas, which were once manufacturing hubs but have become outdated due to rapid industrial structural changes, into future advanced and convergence industry clusters ▲ easing the floor area ratio (FAR) up to 400% for old residential areas mixed within the semi-industrial zones to create residential areas with close proximity to workplaces, complemented by green spaces and convenience facilities ▲ developing Anyangcheon as a waterfront park and Yeouido Park as an urban cultural park to secure green and cultural spaces.

The semi-industrial areas in Yeongdeungpo account for 20% of the district’s total area, the highest proportion among Seoul’s autonomous districts at 25%, generating high expectations for the Seoul Southwest development plan.

The current semi-industrial areas, where the industrial and job base has weakened, have 77% of their area used for non-industrial purposes, long undermining the original intent of designating these zones. Having been zoned since the Japanese colonial period over 100 years ago, the buildings and infrastructure within these semi-industrial areas are severely aged.

Moreover, the residential environment is poor due to dense old housing and mixed residential and industrial uses causing infrastructure shortages. Currently, quasi-residential facilities can receive a 400% FAR, leading to a proliferation of buildings such as one-room apartments and officetels, resulting in uncontrolled development. This has caused side effects such as traffic congestion, lack of parking spaces, and deterioration of pedestrian environments.

To address these issues, last August, Southwest Seoul council members including City Councilor Kim Jong-gil proposed an amendment to the Seoul City Urban Planning Ordinance that allows a maximum FAR incentive of up to 400% for apartment construction within semi-industrial areas.

According to the current ‘Southwest Seoul Development Plan,’ this ordinance is expected to be amended soon.

In December last year, the ‘Seoul Metropolitan Semi-Industrial Area Management Innovation Policy Forum’ was held, organized by the Southwest Seoul Semi-Industrial Area Development Forum. The forum conveyed calls for the amendment of the 400% FAR easing ordinance and practical innovation measures for semi-industrial areas to Seoul City, which reportedly gained consensus among local residents and Seoul officials.

Once the ordinance is amended, Yeongdeungpo is expected to first benefit from FAR incentives in apartment reconstruction projects planned in Mullae-dong and Yangpyeong-dong. A district official expressed expectations that a residential environment with close proximity to workplaces will be created, supplying quality housing along with sufficient green spaces, convenience facilities, and other living infrastructure.

Additionally, since October last year, the district has been conducting a development plan study for the semi-industrial areas. In line with the Southwest Seoul development plan, the district announced plans to properly prepare regulatory easing and development measures for semi-industrial areas designated in Yeongdeungpobon-dong, Yeongdeungpo-dong, Dangsan-dong, Dorim-dong, Mullae-dong, and Yangpyeong-dong, aiming to create an economic hub leading the future 4th industrial revolution and a complex city where industry, residence, and culture coexist.

Notably, the plan includes provisions allowing the downtown area of Yeongdeungpo to be changed to a ‘commercial area’ if necessary, indicating that Seoul City will actively support Yeongdeungpo’s leap as a 4th industrial revolution job hub through attracting advanced industries.

Finally, Seoul City’s plan to create a ‘green attractive city’ by innovating industrial and residential spaces with green, waterfront, and cultural spaces adding leisure, rest, and emotional value is being warmly welcomed by Yeongdeungpo residents, who have relatively less green space due to the absence of mountains. Anyangcheon, Yeongdeungpo’s representative leisure space, secured 3 billion KRW in city funds last year and is scheduled to be reborn as a new landmark by 2025 with the creation of a ‘waterfront cultural and relaxation space’ to improve residents’ quality of life. Yeouido Park, owned by the city, is planned to be redeveloped as an urban cultural park with the future construction of the 2nd Sejong Cultural Center.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “Yeongdeungpo’s semi-industrial areas are a ‘land of opportunity’ due to their large area and convenient transportation. Seoul City and Yeongdeungpo-gu will collaborate more closely to awaken the growth potential of these semi-industrial areas and develop them into a 4th industrial revolution advanced future job hub, striving to open a second Han River Miracle and a Yeongdeungpo Renaissance era.”

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