Seoul Designates Jegi-dong Hanok Village as 'Architectural Asset Promotion District'... Aims to Develop It into a Major Landmark

Linked with Gyeongdong Market, Becoming 'Gyeongdong Hanok Village'
Creating Key Spots such as Hanok Cafes

Location map of the architectural asset promotion zone in Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu. Seoul City

'Jegi-dong Hanok Village,' home to approximately 165 clustered hanok houses in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, will be transformed into the modern and stylish 'Gyeongdong Hanok Village,' in connection with the nearby Gyeongdong Market. The goal is to showcase a new side of Seoul to the increasing number of international tourists visiting after the release of K-Pop Demon Hunters.

On March 5, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it has designated the Jegi-dong Hanok Village, located at 988 Jegi-dong, as an 'Architectural Asset Promotion District' and finalized and notified the management plan.

Jegi-dong Hanok Village is the only 'existing urban area' hanok village among the five sites selected in the 2023 Seoul Hanok Village Development Contest, with the others being 'new residential sites.' Through the Architectural Asset Promotion District system, which preserves and systematically manages areas dense with architectural heritage such as hanok, the value of the region can be maintained and managed in an organized manner. This designation not only allows for regulatory easing but also enables financial support.

The city plans to transform Jegi-dong Hanok Village into Gyeongdong Hanok Village, where visitors can experience the vibrancy of a traditional market and the charm of hanok simultaneously. Along with Bukchon Hanok Village, Eunpyeong Hanok Village, and Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, it aims to establish itself as one of Seoul’s top hotspots.

Specifically, the city will implement a public project called 'Hanok Sensibility Spot 10+,' which links the traditional market with hanok houses. The key is to create a 'stay-type course' where visitors can enjoy hanok cafes and pop-up stores, and stay overnight in hanok accommodations, establishing a mutually beneficial model that revitalizes the local economy.

To achieve this, the city will establish facilities such as a hanok complex cultural space, hanok pop-up stores, hanok stays, as well as a 'hanok yard' and 'hanok restroom.' In addition, the hanok alleyways and the nearby Gyeongdong Market arcade will be renovated to improve the pedestrian environment. Starting next year, the city will create key anchor points through phased public investment, after which the project will proceed in a virtuous cycle with private sector participation.

To encourage private-sector construction of hanok houses, the city will introduce the 'Jegi-dong Hanok' standard, reflecting local characteristics. As long as three essential elements are met—traditional Korean-style tiled roof, Korean wooden construction method, and a courtyard (allowing for an atrium)—the building will be recognized as a Jegi-dong Hanok. By permitting an atrium with a transparent structure over the hanok courtyard, the city will preserve the traditional architecture while enabling the space to be used for youth entrepreneurship, such as cafes, pop-up spaces, or even exhibition halls.

If the three essential criteria are met, various special provisions will apply, including easing the building coverage ratio up to 90%, exemption from the obligation to install annexed parking lots, relaxation of the height limit for securing sunlight rights (from 1.5 meters to 0.5 meters), and exemption from building setback requirements and ecological area ratio. In addition, subsidies and loans will be provided for new hanok construction or repairs in accordance with city ordinances.

Since the Seoul Hanok Declaration in 2008, the city began developing Eunpyeong Hanok Village in 2009. In 2023, the comprehensive plan 'Seoul Hanok 4.0 Recreation' was announced, easing hanok regulations and guidelines and establishing a foundation for building a new type of hanok that considers modern lifestyles.

Public hanok facilities operated by the city—over 20 in total—attracted 540,000 visitors last year, demonstrating growing popularity for hanok. In addition, the 'Public Hanok-type Mirinae House' for newlywed long-term rental housing recorded a maximum competition rate of 956 to 1.

Choi Jinseok, policy chief for housing at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "We will continue to ease regulations and invest publicly in Gyeongdong Hanok Village to enhance the value of the area and support it in becoming a leading hotspot in Seoul where both K-architecture and K-culture can be experienced."

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