Mayor Lee Donghwan: "Focusing Administrative Resources on Pilot District Reconstruction... Delivering Tangible Change for Residents"

Goyang City Steadily Prepares for Reconstruction of Ilsan First-Generation New Town Pilot Districts
Redevelopment of Over 9,000 Households in Baeksong, Hugok, Gangchon, and Jeongbal Villages
Expert Advisory Panel Formed to Expedite Progress, Including Specialists in Urban Planning and Architecture

Ilsan New Town in Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan), which marks its 30th year since completion, has begun full-scale preparations to launch a major reconstruction project. The city is accelerating the redevelopment process by initiating the establishment of special maintenance plans centered around four designated pilot districts.

While some have pointed out that the progress has been relatively slow, Goyang City emphasizes that this is not the case. According to the city, the pilot districts in Ilsan New Town have already entered the planning phase and are proceeding step by step in an orderly and timely manner.

Aerial view of Ilsan New Town. Provided by Goyang Special City

◆ Full-scale redevelopment of four pilot districts totaling 9,174 households... Customized approach selected for each district

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has introduced the "Guidelines for Establishing Special Maintenance Plans" to facilitate the swift redevelopment of aging first-generation planned cities, thereby supporting smooth project implementation in the pilot districts.

In November of last year, Goyang City selected Baeksong, Hugok, Gangchon, and Jeongbal Villages within Ilsan New Town as pilot districts through a public contest held by the ministry. These areas, which together comprise 9,174 households, are regarded as both the starting point and a symbolic case for the reconstruction of aging planned cities in Goyang.

Since then, the pilot districts have formed resident representative groups and finalized their respective project approaches, while quickly proceeding with steps such as selecting urban planning firms and preliminary project operators. Like other first-generation new towns, Ilsan New Town is demonstrating a fast-paced approach to project implementation.

Notably, the redevelopment of aging first-generation planned cities is being carried out as a national pilot project for the first time. Every step-from forming resident representative groups and determining project methods to designating preliminary project operators-requires thorough consensus among residents. While this process may take time, the city asserts that this is not a delay but rather a normal and necessary deliberative process.

Panoramic view of Goyang City. Provided by Goyang Special City

In Baeksong Village, the cooperative method was finalized after a resident vote and information sessions. Hugok Village completed an agreement with Korea Land Trust and designated a preliminary project operator. Gangchon Village also selected the trust method and appointed a preliminary project operator, while Jeongbal Village opted for a public implementation approach and is working closely with LH (Korea Land and Housing Corporation). By determining the project method-whether cooperative, trust, or public implementation-for each pilot district, the city is ensuring the redevelopment proceeds at a rapid pace.

◆ Fast-track system and expert advisory panel for expedited support... Further accelerating progress

Goyang City is operating an expert advisory panel to minimize potential delays during the project process.

The panel, consisting of six experts in fields such as urban planning, architecture, transportation, and education, immediately reviews and supplements resident proposals as soon as they are submitted, helping administrative procedures proceed on a fast-track basis. This process involves pre-reviewing the draft special maintenance plans for the pilot districts to facilitate prompt proposal submissions and to further accelerate the overall project timeline.

The city stresses that the perception of being behind other first-generation new towns is a simple misunderstanding. Due to differences in media exposure or initial procedural steps, other new towns may appear to be moving faster, but in reality, Ilsan is following the same procedures diligently and is by no means lagging behind.

Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City. Photo by Goyang Special City

The reconstruction project is not merely about refurbishing residential complexes; it is a comprehensive urban space renewal initiative aimed at improving the city's structure and living infrastructure. In particular, as a key hub city in the northwestern part of the Seoul metropolitan area, the success of redevelopment in Ilsan's pilot districts is directly linked to strengthening the competitiveness of the entire region.

Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, stated, "As it has been more than 30 years since the establishment of the first phase of Ilsan New Town, residents have high expectations. We will focus all administrative resources to ensure the pilot districts proceed without setbacks," adding, "We will drive the reconstruction project forward at a rapid pace to deliver changes that residents can truly feel."

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