Seoul City to Revitalize Nambu Bus Terminal Area... "To Develop as a Southeastern Hub"

Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal overview. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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The Seoul Metropolitan Government is working to revitalize the area surrounding Nambu Bus Terminal, a major transportation hub. Although the area’s utility has declined due to aging infrastructure, the city aims to reorganize the urban space through a mid-to-long-term strategy that places terminal functions underground and develops a multifunctional complex above ground.

The city announced on April 20 that it has promoted a study titled "Integrated Plan and Implementation Strategy for Revitalization of the Nambu Bus Terminal Area" and, based on this, has drawn up a basic plan. The plan includes a mid-to-long-term strategy to develop the area within a one-kilometer radius of Nambu Bus Terminal and to link urban functions throughout the district.

The Nambu Bus Terminal has been operating since the 1990s as a temporary two-story structure. Although redevelopment has been discussed through preliminary negotiations, the project has been stalled for a long time due to disagreements over development density, usage, and business feasibility.

Through this integrated plan, the basic direction has been set to transform the aging Nambu Bus Terminal into a multifunctional space that combines transportation, commercial, and cultural functions, and a complex development plan has been established.

In particular, the complex development plan aims to improve business feasibility and clarify development alternatives, thereby providing momentum for private developers to move forward with the project. The direction is to place the terminal functions underground, while introducing work, tourism accommodation, cultural, and residential facilities above ground. If private developers propose development plans in the future, the city intends to actively cooperate based on this plan to advance the project.

Area targeted for streetscape improvement project around Seoul Namseoul Bus Terminal. Seoul Metropolitan Government

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The city has also drawn up measures to revitalize the surrounding area. For Nambu Bus Terminal Station on Subway Line 3, the city will promote phased environmental improvements to create cultural spaces in conjunction with the complex development of the terminal. The city also plans to enhance pedestrian convenience and local accessibility by improving the aging pedestrian paths through a streetscape improvement project. In addition, to strengthen and promote the unique features of the Seocho Music Culture District, projects such as specialized designs for the Musical Instrument Street will be pursued in connection with the Nambu Bus Terminal’s complex development over the long term.

Kim Yonghak, Director of Future Urban Space Planning, stated, "The significance of this integrated plan lies in presenting a comprehensive development direction by viewing Nambu Bus Terminal and its surrounding area as an interconnected space, rather than as separate projects," adding, "Based on this plan, we will foster the Nambu Bus Terminal area as a new hub for the southeastern region of Seoul."

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