[Enviornment News] Basic Urban Environment Improvement Plan 2025 Announced
Basic Urban Environment Improvement Plan 2025 Announced
- “(Draft) Basic Urban Environment Improvement Plan 2025” reviewed by the Urban Committee (May 4 (WED))
- Areas totaling 1.1 million m2in Hanyang’s walled city removed from redevelopment plan ,to be preserved as urban historical and cultural districts
- To include more underdeveloped districts (restoration-planned areas and semi-industrial zones) into the improvement plan and to transform them into a new urban center
- To introduce a “mixed” type in one area to adopt diversity in improvement and to make improvements while preserving the modern architecture
- To encourage and revitalize urban areas by introducing the “Road Diet” project and floor-space ratio incentives for residential areas in the city
① “Enhanced regional competitiveness” based on development strategies tailored to regional centers
First, the areas to be improved are subject to refined improvement; the urban center within the Hanyang walled city boundary is to be preserved while other city centers in Yeongdeungpo, Yongsan, Cheongnyangni, and Gasan/Daerim are to be improved strategically. To preserve and protect historical and cultural areas, the city has removed a total of 1.1 million m2 from the Urban Environment Improvement Plan. These areas, abundant in historical and cultural heritage, include:▲the Inui-dong/Hyoje-dong area; ▲the Jongno-5-ga area▲ the Jugyo-dong, Ojang-dong, and Chungmuro-5-ga area; and ▲the DDP area. For 4 decades since the 1970s, the improvement projects held within the old Hanyang city boundary have focused on full demolition of the old, deteriorating areas to improve the urban environment, robbing the city of its time-honored history and the spirit of place, only to transform the city into a space without character.
In the meantime, more of the underdeveloped areas of the city – the areas to be restored and the semi-industrial areas – will be included in the improvement plans. The first 4 of these areas include: ▲ the Daeseon milling factory area in Yeongdeungpo; ▲ the business areas in Yongsan and Namyeong, and the Samgak Mansion site; and ▲ Chunghyeon-dong in Seodaemun. After the basic plan is established, the detailed improvement projects will take place.
② “Urban revitalization” based on the preservation of history and culture and urban restoration
Second, the Historical City Center Management Plan will apply to new buildings in the city centers. In order to prevent them from obstructing the view of the inner ring of mountains and from clashing with the surroundings, new buildings will not be permitted to be taller than the mountains (90m).
Another measure to revitalize the urban areas is to encourage the supply of a variety of urban residences (e.g., shared housing, serviced residences, SOHOs (small office, home office)) and to attract more people to walk by introducing the Road Diet project and the utilization of building facades. The city also plans to put in place the “Procedure for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage” to handle cultural heritage discovered while pursuing projects, which will not only help preserve these heritages but also prevent project delays.
③ “Customized restoration” for different regions
Third, concept and terminology will be redefined to help bring out the unique character of each region, and a “mixed” improvement method will be used to take advantage of multiple improvement plans within a region. The redevelopment zones where the YMCA, Seongnam Church, Korea Sports Council Center, and other such areas with architecture of historical and cultural value but are due for demolition will be designated as “Preservation Areas” where building improvements are strictly controlled to preserve the value of these buildings.
④ “New planning standards” to adapt to future changes
Last, a floor-space ratio incentive will be granted when the new buildings are environmentally-friendly, provide a part of their space for public use, or accommodate flood/fire prevention equipment, so as to respond to the changing climate and environment. With such new standards in place, the City of Seoul will announce a finalized Basic Urban Environment Improvement Plan 2025, and make it available for public access, in July. Designation of the target areas to be improved will take place after the announcement.
- “(Draft) Basic Urban Environment Improvement Plan 2025” reviewed by the Urban Committee (May 4 (WED))
- Areas totaling 1.1 million m2in Hanyang’s walled city removed from redevelopment plan ,to be preserved as urban historical and cultural districts
- To include more underdeveloped districts (restoration-planned areas and semi-industrial zones) into the improvement plan and to transform them into a new urban center
- To introduce a “mixed” type in one area to adopt diversity in improvement and to make improvements while preserving the modern architecture
- To encourage and revitalize urban areas by introducing the “Road Diet” project and floor-space ratio incentives for residential areas in the city
① “Enhanced regional competitiveness” based on development strategies tailored to regional centers
First, the areas to be improved are subject to refined improvement; the urban center within the Hanyang walled city boundary is to be preserved while other city centers in Yeongdeungpo, Yongsan, Cheongnyangni, and Gasan/Daerim are to be improved strategically. To preserve and protect historical and cultural areas, the city has removed a total of 1.1 million m2 from the Urban Environment Improvement Plan. These areas, abundant in historical and cultural heritage, include:▲the Inui-dong/Hyoje-dong area; ▲the Jongno-5-ga area▲ the Jugyo-dong, Ojang-dong, and Chungmuro-5-ga area; and ▲the DDP area. For 4 decades since the 1970s, the improvement projects held within the old Hanyang city boundary have focused on full demolition of the old, deteriorating areas to improve the urban environment, robbing the city of its time-honored history and the spirit of place, only to transform the city into a space without character.
In the meantime, more of the underdeveloped areas of the city – the areas to be restored and the semi-industrial areas – will be included in the improvement plans. The first 4 of these areas include: ▲ the Daeseon milling factory area in Yeongdeungpo; ▲ the business areas in Yongsan and Namyeong, and the Samgak Mansion site; and ▲ Chunghyeon-dong in Seodaemun. After the basic plan is established, the detailed improvement projects will take place.
② “Urban revitalization” based on the preservation of history and culture and urban restoration
Second, the Historical City Center Management Plan will apply to new buildings in the city centers. In order to prevent them from obstructing the view of the inner ring of mountains and from clashing with the surroundings, new buildings will not be permitted to be taller than the mountains (90m).
Another measure to revitalize the urban areas is to encourage the supply of a variety of urban residences (e.g., shared housing, serviced residences, SOHOs (small office, home office)) and to attract more people to walk by introducing the Road Diet project and the utilization of building facades. The city also plans to put in place the “Procedure for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage” to handle cultural heritage discovered while pursuing projects, which will not only help preserve these heritages but also prevent project delays.
③ “Customized restoration” for different regions
Third, concept and terminology will be redefined to help bring out the unique character of each region, and a “mixed” improvement method will be used to take advantage of multiple improvement plans within a region. The redevelopment zones where the YMCA, Seongnam Church, Korea Sports Council Center, and other such areas with architecture of historical and cultural value but are due for demolition will be designated as “Preservation Areas” where building improvements are strictly controlled to preserve the value of these buildings.
④ “New planning standards” to adapt to future changes
Last, a floor-space ratio incentive will be granted when the new buildings are environmentally-friendly, provide a part of their space for public use, or accommodate flood/fire prevention equipment, so as to respond to the changing climate and environment. With such new standards in place, the City of Seoul will announce a finalized Basic Urban Environment Improvement Plan 2025, and make it available for public access, in July. Designation of the target areas to be improved will take place after the announcement.