Seoul Jung-gu Pushes Full Readjustment of Residential Zoning Districts

Service Project Covering Entire 5.73 km² Residential Area
Institutional Reforms Following Easing of Namsan Height Restrictions

Jung-gu in Seoul (District Mayor Kim Kilseong) will conduct a full review of the residential zoning system that has been in place for more than 20 years since the detailed subdivision of residential areas in 2003. The district announced on the 20th that this year it will push ahead with a "service project to establish a plan for readjusting zoning districts" and, based on the results, will completely reorganize its zoning districts.

Jung-gu zoning designation status. Provided by Jung-gu.

The service project will cover 5.73 square kilometers of residential areas, which account for 60% of Jung-gu's total area. While Jung-gu's zoning system has remained largely unchanged since 2003, most buildings in residential areas have now been in use for more than 20 years and have become outdated. Although demand for redevelopment has steadily increased, there has been continued criticism that the institutional framework to support it remains stuck in past standards.

The trigger was the easing of height restrictions on Namsan. In June 2024, long-awaited height regulations in the Namsan height district were relaxed, but the district has concluded that more fundamental institutional improvements, such as adjusting floor area ratios, are needed for this to lead to tangible improvements in the residential environment. Redevelopment projects are gaining momentum in various parts of Jung-gu, including Sindang Districts 8, 9, and 10 and Jungnim 398, making it necessary to respond preemptively to the expected increase in demand for everyday amenities accompanying future population inflows.

Based on the results of the service project, the district plans to carry out simulation analyses comparing conditions before and after zoning changes and to establish differentiated residential management strategies through strategic spatial analysis by living area. It also plans to build consensus through collecting opinions from residents and experts and through public discussion, while working closely with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to ensure effective implementation.

Kim Kilseong, Mayor of Jung-gu District Office, said, "We will build on the momentum of downtown readjustment that has begun with the easing of regulations in the Namsan height district and carry it one step further through a reform of the zoning system," adding, "We will do our utmost to remove outdated regulations, create a vibrant Jung-gu that attracts people, and build a livable residential environment that residents can truly feel."

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