Gimpo City to Transform Saudong and Bukbyeon Areas... Redevelopment and Urban Regeneration Accelerate

A Total of 11,627 Households, Including 7,614 in Bukbyeon, Scheduled to Move In
Saudong New Village and Tongjin Yeoul Complex Cultural Exchange Center Progressing Smoothly
Redevelopment and Urban Regeneration Accelerate Following Launch of the Eighth Administration

Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province, under Mayor Kim Byungsoo, has put long-stalled redevelopment and urban regeneration projects in the old downtown area, which had seen little progress for over a decade since 2011, firmly back on track and is now achieving tangible results.

Construction scene of Bukbyeon 3 District Redevelopment Project. Provided by Gimpo City

The urban redevelopment projects, which had been sluggish for years, began to accelerate in 2024, with construction commencing in the Bukbyeon 3 and Bukbyeon 4 districts. In 2025, construction followed in the Pungmu, Bukbyeon 2, and Sau 4 districts. Out of the eight redevelopment promotion districts in the city, five have now entered the construction phase. Starting with the move-in of 1,200 households at the Bukbyeon 3 Umi Lin Apartments in 2027, a total of 11,627 households-7,614 in Bukbyeon-dong and 4,013 in Saudong and Pungmu-dong-are scheduled to move in by 2030. At the same time, surrounding infrastructure such as roads and parks will be expanded and upgraded in line with the move-in schedule, signaling major changes for the area.

Simultaneously, spatial innovation projects are being launched to improve the residential environment in the old downtown, where redevelopment and reconstruction are difficult. Notable examples include the Saudong New Village project, selected as a central government contest project, the Tongjin Yeoul Complex Cultural Exchange Center project, and the Galsan 3-ri Rural Vulnerable Area Living Condition Improvement Project. All three projects are characterized by their 'tailored urban regeneration' approach, taking into account the unique characteristics of Gimpo.

The fact that long-awaited urban development and regeneration in the old downtown has finally gained momentum is the result of ongoing on-site communication and administrative efforts. Previously, project progress was hampered by internal coordination within associations and changes in development plans. However, with the launch of the eighth popularly elected administration, the city has worked to minimize project delays by strengthening communication among residents and actively negotiating with project implementers, laying the foundation for swift progress. Additionally, by actively pursuing central government contest projects, the city achieved a major milestone by securing 18 billion won in national and provincial funding for the Saudong New Village project.

With the redevelopment and urban regeneration projects in the old downtown now on track thanks to the communication and proactive efforts of the eighth administration, a dramatic transformation into a new cityscape is expected starting in 2027. Gimpo City's urban regeneration projects are characterized by a shift away from wholesale demolition toward a model that respects existing living infrastructure, implementing tailored development plans that reflect Gimpo's unique identity.

In particular, the Saudong New Village project is entering the full-scale implementation phase of 'tailored urban regeneration' by adapting the policies and best practices of London, a global leader in urban regeneration, to Gimpo's local context. After reviewing the London case last year, Gimpo City plans to continue its research collaboration on the Saudong New Village master plan. The city aims to systematically analyze successful overseas cases of urban regeneration, integrate public asset utilization and region-specific content-based revenue models, and continuously identify private sector-participatory urban regeneration models that can be applied to the New Village project.

Starting with the finalization of the Urban Regeneration Revitalization Plan in December of last year, the city plans to carry out architectural planning for anchor facilities in the first half of this year, and begin renovation of old houses and alleyway improvements in the second half, with the goal of completing the project by December 2029.

The old downtown of Tongjin is also changing. After the relocation of the Tongjin-eup office in February 2023, the vacant site of the former Tongjin Administrative Welfare Center is being used to build the Tongjin Yeoul Complex Cultural Exchange Center. The center will provide essential infrastructure such as parking lots, shared-use facilities, sports facilities, urban parks, and plazas. Based on the design selected through a design competition in December 2025, the project is expected to be in full swing by 2027. The city anticipates that the new center will increase foot traffic, thereby revitalizing the surrounding commercial area, including the Tongjin Market.

Saudong New Village master plan. Provided by Gimpo City

The Galsan 3-ri rural area will also undergo improvements through the Rural Vulnerable Area Living Condition Improvement Project. Starting with the construction of community facilities for residents in the second half of this year, the city aims to simultaneously implement capacity-building programs for residents, with the goal of establishing a sustainable rural living environment by December 2027.

In addition to the old downtown areas of Saudong and Tongjin-eup, Gimpo City has a roadmap to promote balanced development by narrowing the development gap between old downtown, new towns, and development project areas, and by implementing 'tailored' development plans that reflect regional characteristics.

A Gimpo City official stated, "Gimpo City is formulating plans for balanced development that leverage the strengths of each area, taking into account the unique locational characteristics of the region, and is moving toward urban development that maximizes benefits for citizens. Our goal is to create a more livable city by focusing on citizen-centered urban development, rather than projects led by specific developers, thereby creating a pleasant urban environment and enhancing public welfare. Starting with Saudong and Tongjin, we will gradually expand tailored urban regeneration throughout all of Gimpo."

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