Gasan Digital Industrial Complex's Leap to a Smart Living City

Geumcheon-gu, Revision of Urban Infrastructure Guidelines for Building Permits in Gasan-dong Industrial Complex

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yu Seong-hoon) is revising and implementing the ‘Urban Infrastructure Guidelines’ related to building permits within Gasan Digital Industrial Complex (G-Valley 2 and 3 districts) to transform Geumcheon G-Valley into a smart living city where workers and users share a lifestyle culture.

The revised guidelines include new improvement standards addressing issues identified during the operation of the existing guidelines, such as ‘pedestrian disruption caused by excessive vehicle entrances and exits,’ ‘fine dust problems due to the concentration of knowledge industry centers,’ ‘insufficient safety standards considering the general public and socially vulnerable groups,’ and ‘community facilities where 24-hour workers can live vibrantly and actively.’

Looking at the main improvements, first, vehicle entrances and exits will be integrated during building permits to improve the pedestrian environment.

Previously, vehicle entrances and exits were installed separately for each lot during building permits, causing frequent pedestrian pathway disruptions and inconvenience for socially vulnerable groups such as the disabled due to vehicle-centered road development.

Under the revised guidelines, vehicle entrances and exits installed for each lot will be integrated and shared with adjacent lots, reducing the number of vehicle entrances and exits by half to minimize pedestrian disruption.

Additionally, elevated crosswalks at the same height as sidewalks will be installed to improve the pedestrian environment, considering socially vulnerable groups.

Second, to create an urban environment convenient for everyone, including the disabled and pregnant women, the ‘Barrier-Free Living Environment Certification System’ will be implemented.

Therefore, to obtain a building permit within Gasan Digital Industrial Complex, applicants must receive at least a general grade or higher under the Barrier-Free Certification standards.

Also, to ensure safety from crime blind spots, applicants must acquire a grade D or higher in the Crime Prevention Certification System operated by the Geumcheon Police Station.

Third, standards have been established to install open Wi-Fi when constructing new buildings. This aims to eliminate Wi-Fi dead zones that previously occurred due to optional provision by companies and building owners, thereby creating a working environment befitting the reputation of an IT-centered advanced industrial complex.

Fourth, measures to reduce fine dust for a pleasant working environment are included. To address fine dust issues caused by high-rise, high-density knowledge industry centers and increased traffic volume, pocket parks will be created, and trees and mist fountains that can reduce fine dust will be installed on rooftops and ground landscaping to secure the health rights of workers and users.

Finally, community facilities such as daycare centers, fitness rooms, and book cafes will be expanded when constructing new buildings. Although the number of companies and workers in Gasan Digital Industrial Complex continues to increase, there is a shortage of community facilities available for workers and residents, leading to a decline in floating population on weekends and resulting in problems such as the stagnation of surrounding commercial districts.

To address these issues, community facilities (seminar rooms, lounges, daycare centers, book cafes, fitness rooms, etc.) for workers and local residents will be expanded from the building construction stage to enable rest and leisure activities.

In addition, considering the long walking distance from subway stations to each building in G-Valley, additional bicycle parking spaces will be installed beyond the existing mandatory amount to encourage workers to use bicycles for commuting.

Since 2005, the district has been working to improve living conditions in Gasan Digital Industrial Complex by creating the ‘Urban Infrastructure Guidelines related to Building Permits within Gasan Digital Industrial Complex,’ expanding insufficient roads within the complex, increasing green spaces through open spaces, and undergrounding utility poles.

Yu Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, “With this revision of standards, we hope to create a living environment that meets the rapidly changing conditions of Gasan Digital Industrial Complex for entrepreneurs, workers, and users alike,” adding, “We will do our best to make Gasan Digital Industrial Complex a convenient ‘smart living city’ where technology and people coexist.”

For more details, please contact the Urban Planning Division of Geumcheon-gu Office (☏2627-2064).