Expansion of Hwagok Station District Unit Planning Area... "Strengthening Medical Special Zone and Transit Station Area Functions"

Seoul City Urban and Architectural Joint Committee Review
Medical Tourism Function in Commercial and Semi-Residential Areas
Floor Area Ratio Incentives for Opening Attached Parking Lots

Seoul City has decided to expand the district unit planning area to strengthen the medical tourism special zone and transfer station functions around Hwagok Station on Subway Line 5.

The city announced on the 11th that it held the 10th Urban and Architectural Joint Committee meeting on the 10th and approved the revision of the "Hwagok Station District Center District Unit Planning Area and Plan Change Proposal."

The target area, centered around Hwagok Station, was designated as the "Gangseo Miracle Medi Special Zone" in 2015. With the scheduled completion of the metropolitan railway Daejang-Hongdae Line in 2031, a transfer station zone is expected to be established.

In preparation, the district unit planning area will be expanded to include the entire transfer station zone for integrated management around Hwagok Station. To strengthen the core functions of the transfer station zone, commercial and semi-residential areas will be planned with medical tourism functions as recommended uses. Along the main arterial roads, residential uses other than residential complex buildings will be prohibited, and in some residential areas along the main roads, use relaxation plans will be established for office facilities excluding officetels.

Location map of the district unit planning area at Hwagog Station, Seoul. Photo by Seoul City

Measures to alleviate parking difficulties are also included. When introducing residential functions, the ratio of small housing units will be limited to strengthen the mandatory secured legal parking spaces. Additionally, in connection with the "Seoul City Public Parking Lot Opening Project," additional private parking lots will be installed and opened to the public, with floor area ratio incentives provided.

To improve transfer convenience in the station area, the creation of publicly accessible spaces around bus stops along the main roads will be encouraged, and for narrow roads where securing sidewalks is difficult, building setback lines will be determined to secure additional pedestrian space.

To resolve excessive regulations established during the district unit plan formulation, efforts will be made to minimize lot and joint development regulations and promote autonomous joint development.

A Seoul City official stated, "With the designation and planning of the Hwagok Station District Center District Unit Planning Area, the status of the district center as a medical tourism special zone and transfer station zone will be further elevated, and it is expected to serve as a stepping stone to leap forward as a new center."

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