Seokgye Station District Unit Plan Approved with Modifications... Transforming into a Community-Oriented Commercial Area

On January 29, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it had approved, with modifications, the “Seokgye Station District Unit Planning Area Designation and Planning Decision.” The designated area covers approximately 82,158 square meters (about 25,000 pyeong) around Seokgye Station, a subway transfer station.

원본보기 아이콘

The plan includes designating the site of auxiliary facilities for distribution business operations, whose main function has weakened due to the closure of the Seongbuk freight line and the development of the logistics site at Gwangwoon University Station, as a “Special Planning Zone.” The direction for public contributions was set to include the widening of Seokgye-ro and the provision of much-needed local service facilities within the area.

Additionally, the Seoul Metropolitan Government planned four “Special Planning Possible Zones” on the condition of public contributions. Recommended uses such as office and retail facilities were set to revitalize the streetscape and establish a foundation for strengthening the local service functions of the station area.

For the public contribution portions of the Special Planning Possible Zones, the plans include: ▲ widening Seokgye-ro ▲ expanding roads in connection with the Gwangwoon University Station logistics site development plan ▲ and creating facilities within existing public parking lot sites.

Furthermore, for the streets along Seokgye-ro, new zones were established where vehicle access is prohibited and parking lot installation standards are relaxed. This allows for new developments that include low-rise commercial units. Most of the densely clustered commercial areas on both sides of Seokgye-ro are pedestrian-oriented and lack parking lots; when new buildings are constructed with parking, the area available for low-rise commercial units is reduced, which has been a constraint on development.

An Daehee, Director of the Urban Space Headquarters at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, “Through this decision on the Seokgye Station District Unit Plan, we expect to strengthen the core functions of the Seokgye Station area and invigorate the local community.”

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.