Seoul Approves High-Rise Development Plans for Major Transit Hubs

Seoul has approved district unit plans for major transit hub areas including Cheongdam-dong, Konkuk University Station, Sadang, Isu, and Gildong Station.

According to Seoul Metropolitan Government on January 11, the 20th Urban and Architecture Joint Committee held the previous day conditionally approved the transit hub revitalization project for the Cheongdam-dong 52 area in Gangnam-gu, and passed amended district unit plans for Konkuk University Station District, Sadang-Isu District, and the Gildong Station area covering three stations.

The Cheongdam-dong 52 area, a commercial zone along Dosan-daero, will see development of a prime-grade mixed-use complex for office, retail, and cultural facilities spanning eight basement floors, 35 above-ground floors, and approximately 64,460 square meters of gross floor area. The project will include public cultural facilities such as a multipurpose hall. Along Dosan-daero, a 451.9-square-meter public open space, 280-square-meter outdoor open area, and 3-meter-wide sidewalk-type open space will be created to enhance pedestrian connectivity with the back road (Dosan-daero 94-gil). Construction is targeted to begin in the first half of next year with completion expected in 2029.

The Konkuk University Station District underwent a complete revision of its district unit plan to reflect changed local conditions since the 2011 plan revision. Rodeo Street will be developed as a youth-specialized street, and the floor area ratio incentive system was reorganized in connection with building line and recommended use plans. To strengthen the regional center functions of the Seongsu-Konkuk area, the district unit plan zone was expanded and three special planning zones were newly designated. Development feasibility was enhanced by allowing land use changes to semi-residential or higher categories for joint developments of 1,500 square meters or more. The maximum building height along Achasan-ro was relaxed from 100 meters to 120 meters to enable mixed-use development.

The Sadang-Isu District significantly adjusted floor area ratios and height limits in line with changed conditions along Dongjakdae-ro. The floor area ratio for general commercial areas was raised from 600 percent to 800 percent, and for semi-residential areas from 250 percent to 360 percent. The maximum height limit was also relaxed from 100 meters to 150 meters. The plan aims to improve pedestrian environments through building setback lines and front open spaces while reducing unnecessary regulations to encourage mid-rise and high-rise development befitting Dongjakdae-ro's status. This revision covers only the Dongjak-gu section.

For the Yangjae-daero area in Gangdong-gu (including Gildong, Gupeundari, and Myeongil stations), landscape and pedestrian improvement plans linked to design guidelines were established to strengthen the regional central axis. A landmark street will be created incorporating creative architectural design, open urban spaces, and landscape lighting. Pedestrian space was expanded through building setback lines and sidewalk-type front open spaces, with new public pedestrian passages also included. Under the new district unit plan designation, meeting conditions such as distinctive architectural design, introduction of area-specialized uses, or creation of open spaces will allow floor area ratios to be relaxed by up to 1.1 times and maximum heights to be raised by 5 to 10 meters. Station-specific facilities reflecting local demand will be encouraged, including senior facilities at Gildong Station, sports facilities at Gupeundari Station, and medical and youth facilities at Myeongil Station.

Seoul Metropolitan Government expects this comprehensive plan revision to strengthen central functions of major transit hubs in Gangnam, Dongjak, and Gangdong while simultaneously improving previously poor pedestrian environments and urban landscapes.