Seoul Dong Seoul Terminal will transform into a massive mixed-use complex with 39 above-ground floors by 2031. Within a 5 to 7-minute walk, a gym, community hall, and children's reading room will be established in the underground of Guui Park.
The Seoul city government announced on the 29th that it approved a revised plan to designate the district unit planning area for '546-1 Guui-dong' during the 9th Urban and Architectural Joint Committee meeting held on the 28th.
The Dong Seoul Terminal has raised safety concerns due to its aging facilities. In response, the Seoul city government engaged in pre-negotiations with the developer Shinsegae Dong Seoul PFV to improve the terminal's functions and plan to consolidate and develop the surrounding areas.
In April of last year, a plan to designate the district unit planning area was initiated, reflecting resident opinions to be presented at the meeting the following day. The modernization project for Dong Seoul Terminal involves developing the area from 7 underground levels to 39 above-ground levels.
The passenger terminal and transfer center will be created underground to minimize traffic congestion and air pollution, while the above-ground space will be designed to offer views of the Han River. Plans are in place to arrange commercial, office, and cultural facilities in the upper levels.
Seoul city plans to secure a public contribution of 138.14 billion won through pre-negotiations with Shinsegae Dong Seoul PFV, establishing a direct ramp connecting Dong Seoul Terminal and Gangbyeonbuk-ro. This public contribution will also be used for a pedestrian deck linking Han River and Gangbyeon Station, exterior remodeling of the subway Line 2 Gangbyeon Station, elevated plaza beneath the overpass, and other resident convenience facilities above and below Guui Park.
Meanwhile, during the construction period, the underground of the nearby Guui Park will be utilized as a temporary terminal. After the park's temporary terminal use, the lower part of Guui Park will be remodeled into a gym, community hall, and reading room. The green space above Guui Park will increase by approximately 1.7 times.
The announcement regarding the district unit planning decision related to the modernization of Dong Seoul Terminal is planned for June, and construction is expected to begin in the second half of next year after traffic impact assessments, architectural reviews, and building permits. Completion is targeted for 2031.
Meanwhile, reconstruction guidelines for the Ilwon-dong and Suseo-dong areas in Gangnam District have also been established. The 'Suseo Residential Development District unit planning decision' that deals with guidelines for the reconstruction of aging housing complexes was approved at the previous day's meeting.
The Suseo land was designated in 1989 as a planned development area to solve the housing shortage in Seoul, and currently, the majority of complexes have reached their reconstruction timing.
Seoul city plans to designate 16 housing complexes that have reached the timing for maintenance as special planning areas and support their reconstruction.
In the low-rise complexes in Ilwon-dong near Daemosan, standards have been established to upgrade the current 1st and 2nd general residential areas (7 floors or less) to general residential areas of 2nd type.
The eight housing complexes in the 3rd type general residential area near transportation hubs will allow for adjustments to their land use during future maintenance planning. The two complexes near Suseo Station will encourage upward adjustments of the land use.
A continuous public walkway 10 meters wide is planned for the north-south direction of the Ilwon-dong housing complexes. Additionally, measures to enhance accessibility to Suseo Station and reduce congestion on Banggogae-ro, a frequently congested area, by expanding the detour route towards Garak Market from 3 to 4 lanes have also been proposed.
Height restrictions in general commercial areas will also be relaxed. Previously limited to 100 meters along Banggogae-ro, 80 meters along Gwangpyeong-ro, and 25 to 30 meters in the rear areas, this can now be relaxed to 120 meters along Banggogae-ro and 100 meters in other areas.
Seoul city is set to announce the district unit plan in August after gathering resident opinions.
Jo Nam-jun, head of the Urban Space Headquarters of Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, 'We will spare no effort in administrative support to ensure the rapid promotion of reconstruction of aging complexes.'
The district unit plan for the housing area in Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno District was also amended at the previous day's meeting. The plan was established in 2013 to develop the Pyeongchang-dong area without damaging nature, but Seoul city has revised the plan to address inconveniences experienced by local residents since 2013.
In the 'Art and Culture Specialized Street' densely populated with art galleries, the regulations have been changed to allow for cafes and retail stores. It has also been made permissible for retail stores to be established along major roads where village bus routes operate.