Full-scale Reconstruction Begins for Suseo and Ilwon in Gangnam... Guidelines Established for Aging Residential Complexes

Proactive Guidelines for 16,000 Units Approaching Reconstruction
Standards Set for Zoning, Height, and Floor Area Ratio Relaxation

Location map of Suseo Residential Development District. Seoul City

The reconstruction of aging residential complexes in the Suseo Residential Development District, covering the Ilwon-dong and Suseo-dong areas of Gangnam-gu, Seoul, is gaining momentum. This acceleration comes as reconstruction guidelines for these aging residential complexes have been established.

On May 29, Seoul City announced that it had convened the 9th Urban and Architectural Joint Committee and approved, with modifications, the proposed changes to the district unit plan for the Suseo Residential Development District, which had been publicly announced for review in November of the previous year.

The Suseo Residential Development District was designated as a planned residential development area in 1989 to address the housing shortage. Apartment complexes were completed in the mid-1990s, and most of them have now reached the legal age for reconstruction. In September 2023, the city began a comprehensive review of the district unit plan. The area is bordered by Daemosan Mountain to the south, Gwangsusan Mountain and Tancheon Stream to the north and east. Major arterial roads such as Bamgogaero and Gwangpyeong-ro connect around Suseo Station, and the area is served by Subway Line 3, the Suin-Bundang Line, the GTX-A line, and the SRT, providing extensive transportation infrastructure.

The newly approved plan centers on reconstruction guidelines for 16,000 aging residential units that have reached their reconstruction period. This is the first comprehensive review of the district unit plan in 13 years, since 2012.

Last November, the city collected residents' opinions through a public notice of the proposed plan changes, and has since refined the plan through consultations with relevant departments and a traffic impact assessment review. With the goal of creating a pleasant and sustainable residential environment, the city has designated 16 residential complexes due for redevelopment as special planning zones, and is supporting reconstruction by presenting standards for zoning, building height, and floor area ratio relaxation.

For four low-rise complexes near Daemosan Mountain in Ilwon-dong, the city has proposed criteria to upgrade the current Type 1 and Type 2 General Residential Zones (limited to seven stories or less) to Type 2 General Residential Zones to improve reconstruction conditions.

Additionally, for eight residential complexes in Type 3 General Residential Zones near subway stations, the plan allows for zoning adjustments through committee review when future redevelopment plans are established. For two complexes adjacent to Suseo Station, the plan encourages zoning upgrades to strengthen support functions for fostering the area as a regional hub.

To create a pedestrian-friendly environment, the city has planned a continuous 10-meter-wide public pedestrian passage running north-south through the Ilwon-dong residential complexes. Closed internal parks within the complexes will be relocated along Gwangpyeong-ro to expand public spaces centered on the street.

In the Suseo Station area, the city will support the creation of office, retail, and cultural spaces through mixed-use development, and will establish an underground pedestrian connection to enhance accessibility and connectivity with the Suseo Station area. To alleviate chronic congestion on Bamgogaero, the plan also proposes expanding the detour lane toward Garak Market.

Height restrictions in general commercial zones will also be eased. Previously, building heights were limited to 100 meters along Bamgogaero, 80 meters along Gwangpyeong-ro, and 25 to 30 meters in interior areas. These limits have now been relaxed to 120 meters along Bamgogaero and 100 meters in other areas.

In addition, the plan calls for eco-friendly streetscapes through design initiatives linked to Daemosan Mountain and wall greening projects.

After incorporating and implementing the opinions of the Urban and Architectural Joint Committee, the city plans to issue a second public notice for review at the end of next month, gather additional resident feedback, and officially announce the final district unit plan in August.

Cho Namjun, head of the Urban Space Headquarters at Seoul City, stated, "We will spare no administrative support and effort to ensure the rapid reconstruction of aging complexes," and added, "Along with future development projects around Suseo Station, we hope this area will emerge as a key residential, transportation, and industrial hub in the southeastern part of Gangnam."

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