"2,200 Households Embracing Seongnaecheon to Be Built"... Sin Tong Plan Confirmed for Machun-dong Area

Published 20 Apr.2023 06:00(KST)

The rapid integrated planning for the redevelopment project of the Songpa-gu Macheon-dong 93-5 area, which had long been neglected in development, has been confirmed. This area is expected to be transformed into a waterfront-specialized residential complex that embodies urban vitality in connection with the Seongnaecheon restoration plan.

According to the confirmed plan, the Macheon-dong 93-5 area will be reborn as a waterfront-specialized residential complex (approximately 110,000㎡, up to about 35 floors, 2,200 households) linked with the Seongnaecheon restoration plan (scheduled for 2028). Residents are expected to enjoy rest and leisure in nature-friendly spaces such as street parks within the complex, as well as various resident convenience facilities to be developed. Seongnaecheon is a covered stream with a total length of 7.7 km, of which 1.8 km has been restored so far, and the remaining sections, including the northeast side of the site, are scheduled for restoration in 2028.

Aerial view of 93-5, Macheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul [Photo by Seoul City]

Many redevelopment projects within the Geoyeomacheon Maintenance Promotion District around the site have been either underway or completed. The Seongnaecheon restoration (planned) is also forthcoming. Although the Macheon-dong 93-5 area was included in the Maintenance Promotion District in 2011, redevelopment designation was halted due to issues such as lack of resident consent, leaving the area neglected in development. As a result, it is considered a region needing residential environment improvement due to the concentration of aging buildings, illegal parking, and narrow roads.

Seoul City announced that it has established a plan to create a street park linked with the Seongnaecheon restoration adjacent to the northern side of the site, including the construction of a library and walking trails, to blur the boundary between the complex and Seongnaecheon. Additionally, to secure smooth vehicle access due to the large-scale complex development, renovate aging public facilities, and efficiently utilize the entire land of the complex, existing public offices and some parcels were included in the district. Furthermore, by upgrading the zoning (from Type 2 General Residential Area (up to 7 floors) to Type 2 General Residential Area), a flexible height plan applying creative and three-dimensional designs was made possible, aiming to simultaneously improve a pleasant residential environment and project feasibility.

Considering residents' safety and convenience of movement, pedestrian and vehicle routes were appropriately separated and arranged. Pedestrian routes in east-west and north-south directions were organically connected from the central plaza of the complex to facilitate convenient walking to public transportation such as subway stations and schools. In particular, the pedestrian path was linked from Seongnaecheon to the street park, the central plaza of the complex, and the southern side of the complex to bring the waterfront vitality of Seongnaecheon into the complex. Meanwhile, to create a pedestrian-friendly complex while ensuring smooth vehicle access, a total of three vehicle entrances and exits were planned.

Moreover, the plan carefully considered various surrounding conditions such as open landscapes connected with natural environments like Seongnaecheon and street parks, characteristic streetscapes reflecting Macheon Market and living streets, and harmony with landmarks such as Macheon Catholic Church within the site, to create an attractive urban landscape that blends well with the surroundings.

With the confirmation of the rapid integrated planning for the redevelopment candidate site of Macheon-dong 93-5, Seoul City expects the maintenance plan drafting process to be completed within the year. Due to the simplification of the rapid integrated planning procedure, the review by the Urban Redevelopment Committee’s delegated subcommittee and related reviews during the project implementation plan will be integrated, significantly shortening the project period.

Jo Nam-jun, Director of the Seoul City Urban Planning Bureau, said, “This plan focuses on creating sufficient convenience facilities within residents’ daily living units while emphasizing the creation of open landscapes that harmonize with the surroundings. We hope that the diverse waterfront spaces to be developed together with Seongnaecheon, breaking down boundaries, will spread vitality throughout residents’ daily lives and the entire region.”