Seoul finalises fast-track plan for 1,070-home, 22-storey Seongbuk-dong complex
In short
The Seoul city government said on 22 October that it has finalised Fast-Track Integrated Planning for a housing redevelopment around 3-38 Seongbuk-dong in Seongbuk District. The plan calls for an apartment complex of up to 22 floors with about 1,070 households, a park and road improvements.
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Seoul city said on 22 October that it has finalised Fast-Track Integrated Planning for the housing redevelopment project around 3-38 Seongbuk-dong in Seongbuk District. The plan provides for an apartment complex of up to 22 floors with about 1,070 households, according to Newsis, Yonhap and Maeil Business. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Yonhap described Fast-Track Integrated Planning as a public support plan in which, at the stage of drawing up the redevelopment plan, the city sets out guidelines balancing public benefit and project viability and supports quick progress. Yonhap said planning began this year and the plan was finalised within six months. [ 3 ]
The site is an aged residential area north of Seongbuk-ro, on the way from Hansung University Station toward Bukaksan. Asia Economy gave its size as 65,987 square metres. Outlets said narrow alleys and steep slopes make walking and driving difficult and fire engine access hard, and Newsis, Seoul Economic Daily and Maeil Business also cited a serious parking shortage. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Redevelopment was pursued in 2008 and the project reached implementation plan approval in 2011, but the redevelopment zone was cancelled in 2017. Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily reported that residents then sought to restart the project. The site was conditionally selected as a Fast-Track Integrated Planning candidate in 2023. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The plan raises the zoning from Class 1 to Class 2 general residential area. Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily said the earlier plan had a maximum of 11 floors, compared with up to 22 now. Mid- and low-rise buildings are to stand at the edge of the complex and the tallest buildings in the centre. Asia Economy added that buildings along Seongbuk-ro will be eight floors or lower. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
To improve access, Seongbuk-ro 16-gil will be widened and the junction improved so vehicles can turn left from Seongbuk-ro. Part of Seongbuk-ro 14-gil, which runs through the complex, will be abolished and a replacement road built on the north side. The route to Seongbuk Elementary School will also be upgraded. Newsis said three vehicle entrances are planned. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
A park for residents and visitors is planned in the north, with a viewing space at its top from which Namsan Tower can be seen and a walkway from Seongbuk-ro. Because the terrain has an elevation difference of up to 61 metres, terrace houses and residents' facilities will use the slope. Kim Chang-gyu, head of the city's Urban Space Headquarters, said the plan was drawn up with the surrounding landscape and feasibility in mind and that the city will actively support follow-up procedures such as designating the redevelopment zone. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The finalised plan sets out the building heights, roads and park for an area where an earlier redevelopment was cancelled in 2017. The city said it will support follow-up procedures, including designation of the redevelopment zone.
Key facts
- Seoul city said on 22 October it finalised Fast-Track Integrated Planning for the housing redevelopment project around 3-38 Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk District. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The plan provides for a complex of up to 22 floors with about 1,070 households. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The zoning is raised from Class 1 to Class 2 general residential area; the 2011 plan had a maximum of 11 floors. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The site covers 65,987 square metres of aged low-rise housing north of Seongbuk-ro, on the way from Hansung University Station toward Bukaksan. [ 1 ]
- Seongbuk-ro 16-gil will be widened, part of Seongbuk-ro 14-gil abolished and a replacement road built on the north side. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- A park is planned in the north, with a viewing space at its top from which Namsan Tower can be seen. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The terrain has an elevation difference of up to 61 metres, which the plan uses for terrace houses and residents' facilities. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Seoul city announced on 22 October that it had finalised Fast-Track Integrated Planning for the housing redevelopment around 3-38 Seongbuk-dong. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The planned complex has a maximum height of 22 floors and about 1,070 households. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Redevelopment was pursued in 2008 and reached project implementation plan approval in 2011, but the redevelopment zone was cancelled in 2017. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The site was conditionally selected as a Fast-Track Integrated Planning candidate in 2023, and planning began this year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The plan upgrades the zoning from Class 1 to Class 2 general residential area. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Seongbuk-ro 16-gil will be widened and the junction improved to allow left turns from Seongbuk-ro. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Which school stands next to the site. Document 1 names Hongdae middle and high schools to the east, while documents 2 and 5 name Hongik middle and high schools.
- When the redevelopment zone will be designated and when construction could start. The documents say only that the city will actively support follow-up procedures such as zone designation, and give no dates.
- The exact number of households. Documents 2, 3 and 5 say 'about' 1,070 households, while documents 1 and 4 give 1,070 without qualification.