Uijeongbu City Unveils Gosan-dong's Future: Leaping Forward as a Cultural and Industrial Hub in Northern Gyeonggi

Uijeongbu City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun), announced the "Our Neighborhood Policy Roadmap: Gosan-dong Edition" on January 27, which organizes information on administration, infrastructure, welfare, and culture closely related to citizens' daily lives by local area. This roadmap highlights the changes in Gosan-dong, which was newly established in July 2024 after being separated from Songsan 1-dong, through four key pillars: cultural convergence, living infrastructure, metropolitan transportation, and future self-sufficiency.

Uijeongbu City, Gosan-dong Policy Roadmap. Provided by Uijeongbu City

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The Complex Cultural Convergence District (Rhythm City), at the center of Gosan-dong's transformation, is being redeveloped into a mixed-use space where residential and industrial functions coexist. The city is laying the groundwork for Gosan-dong to become a new hub in northern Gyeonggi's living sphere by creating a complex space that integrates culture, tourism, shopping, and residential functions.

The Complex Cultural Convergence District features residential land for approximately 1,800 households and supporting infrastructure, with the opening of an E-Mart Traders store planned. As large-scale retail facilities and daily convenience functions are combined, changes are expected in local consumption and lifestyle patterns.

A foundation for the advanced content industry will also be established. Within the district, the creation of an immersive "Digital Media Center (I-DMC)" is planned, with participation from YG, NAVER, and Nexon. The plan is to build a studio complex equipped for advanced technologies such as virtual production and special filming, thereby establishing infrastructure for video content creation and expanding the region's industrial structure.

The development of a public housing district for the legal town nearby and the expansion of the metropolitan transportation network are further strengthening the locational advantages of the Gosan-dong area. As administrative and urban infrastructure are being built in step with the rapid formation of the living sphere, Gosan-dong is expected to develop into a key area driving urban growth.

E-mart Traders bird's-eye view. Provided by Uijeongbu City

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In Gosan-dong, as the living sphere quickly takes shape, daily infrastructure such as walkability, childcare, and youth and cultural facilities are also expanding.

First, the "Urban Clearing Project" has been implemented to create a pedestrian-centered, safe urban environment. The city secured pedestrian spaces in the Gosan District by removing unnecessary street fixtures and outdated signs. Starting in 2024, 239 posts have been removed and 251 signs have been consolidated, improving driver visibility and enhancing pedestrian safety.

Living hubs for youth have also been established. The Gosan Youth Center, which opened in July 2023, operates as an educational and activity space where young people can experience future technologies and engage in creative activities. Equipped with facilities such as a smart farm, AR space, and creator studio, it serves as a public facility supporting youth career exploration and community participation.

Childcare infrastructure has also been expanded. In December 2025, the 13th and 14th "Together Care Centers" will be established in Gosan-dong, providing after-school care services for elementary school children in need. This expansion responds to the growing demand for childcare as more families move into the new town, helping to ease the daily burden on dual-income households.

Additionally, cultural and learning infrastructure is being added. The "Uijeongbu Design Library" is under construction within Jandol Culture Park. As a specialized library equipped with design resources and experiential functions, it is set to become a new hub for living culture, blending design creation and citizen experiences. The library is scheduled to open in October 2026, with construction progress at 66% as of December 2025.

Uijeongbu Public Bus No. 01. Provided by Uijeongbu City

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As Gosan-dong has seen rapid residential development and population influx, transportation demand has increased significantly alongside the formation of the living sphere. The city is expanding transportation infrastructure in stages to improve public transit accessibility in the Gosan District, including the introduction of public buses, school transport support, and demand-responsive transit services.

First, the "Uijeongbu Public Bus No. 01," the city's first quasi-public village bus, began operation in February 2024, connecting Minlak, Gosan District, and subway stations. Operated under a public management system where the city directly manages routes and schedules, the bus runs at approximately 15-minute intervals on weekdays, improving convenience for residents during commuting hours. From June 2024, the route was extended to Suraksan Station and the City Airport Terminal, further enhancing accessibility to Seoul.

Support for student transportation has also been strengthened. The "Uijeongbu Student School Bus," launched in August 2024, was introduced to reduce the burden of long-distance commutes for students in Gosan and Minlak Districts. With the operation of these school buses, students save an average of 40 minutes on their daily commute, and the safety and stability of school routes have been significantly improved. Real-time location tracking via KakaoMap has also been implemented, reducing wait times and making school commutes more predictable.

In addition, starting in July 2025, the demand-responsive transit service "Ddok Bus" began official operation, connecting Minlak and Gosan Districts with Byeollae Station. This service operates on fixed routes during rush hours and on a call basis at other times, enhancing the flexibility of local transportation.

Bird's-eye view of the Idolbom Cluster. Provided by Uijeongbu City

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While Gosan-dong continues to build out its new town living infrastructure, mid- to long-term projects that will shape the area's future urban functions are also underway.

First, a pilot project for an "Idolbom Facility Cluster" is being promoted in the Gosan District. This integrated childcare facility, jointly developed by the city and Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH), will be constructed by LH and operated by the city. Construction bidding has been completed with the goal of breaking ground by the end of February, and the project aims to open in the second half of 2028.

The cluster will house national and public daycare centers, Together Care Centers, a children's library, indoor playground, and community spaces, integrating childcare, play, and leisure functions. With a total floor area of 6,300 square meters (one basement and two above-ground floors), it will provide a foundation for comprehensive childcare services within the living sphere.

Regarding future industrial infrastructure, the development direction for "Camp Stanley" has also been revised. With the amendment of the "Comprehensive Development Plan for Areas Surrounding U.S. Military Bases in Korea" confirmed in November 2025, Camp Stanley's usage plan shifted from an e-commerce logistics complex to the creation of an IT cluster.

An official from Uijeongbu City stated, "Gosan-dong is a dynamic area where administrative and urban infrastructure are growing together. Through this policy roadmap, we aim to clearly share the changes in Gosan-dong with citizens and to build a future-oriented, self-sufficient city where everyone wants to live."

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