Restaurants to Open Near Art Museums... Pyeongchang-dong to Improve Living Conditions

The Pyeongchang-dong area, where only minimal development had been permitted in order to prevent damage to the natural environment, will now be able to improve living conditions through the reorganization of the district unit plan.

On May 28, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it had approved, with modifications, the “District Unit Plan Area and Plan Decision (Amendment) for the Residential Development Project Site in the Pyeongchang-dong Area” at the 9th Urban and Architectural Joint Committee meeting.

Example plan map for the residential development project in the Pyeongchangdong area. Provided by Seoul City

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The target site is located in Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu, near Bukhansan National Park. Previously, in 2013, a district unit plan was established to allow only minimal development that would not damage the natural environment. In response to the inconveniences experienced by residents during this process, the city decided to partially adjust the permitted uses for the site.

With this decision, facilities needed to meet the demands of residents can now be established in the area. First, the city has allowed mixed-use cultural and commercial functions, permitting cafes and retail stores to open along the “arts and culture specialized street” where art museums are concentrated. In addition, retail stores are now permitted along roads served by village bus routes. This measure was implemented so that residents can access convenient facilities within walking distance.

Residential development site in the Pyeongchang-dong area. Provided by Seoul City

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Reflecting the requests of local residents, building height and development guidelines suitable for actual conditions have also been prepared. For buildings constructed before the establishment of the district unit plan, an exception has been introduced to recognize the existing number of floors.

For lots where development is difficult due to exposed bedrock, guidelines have been introduced to allow only the minimum excavation necessary for safety, increasing flexibility in plan implementation. The building setback line, which previously applied only to specific lots, has been expanded to include already developed lots, allowing for the gradual expansion of pedestrian spaces.

Cho Namjun, Director of the Seoul Urban Space Headquarters, stated, “With the reorganization of the district unit plan for the Pyeongchang-dong residential development project site, previously restrictive development and construction standards have been eased. As a result, we expect that the inconveniences faced by local residents will be resolved and that this will provide new momentum for revitalizing the area.”

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