Aging Industrial Complex Transformed into a Vibrant 'Business Park'

SanDanGong 'Structure Advancement Project' Achievements... Continuous Construction of Residential, Convenience, and Cultural Facilities such as Knowledge Industry Centers, Parks, and Residential Housing to Strengthen Competitiveness of Tenant Companies

Iksan National Industrial Complex

The Iksan Comprehensive Business Center located on Dongseo-ro in Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do. This building, newly constructed by the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation in 2017, has seen its surroundings change rapidly day by day. On both sides, knowledge industry centers and a convention hotel have been established, and further along the road next to the hotel, a former stone factory site is being developed into a complex facility for residential and support purposes. Additionally, Central Park, equipped with urban-style residential housing, officetels, and neighborhood living facilities, was recently completed. The road connecting the Iksan Comprehensive Business Center to Central Park is being developed as a ‘Beautiful Street.’ This area is the site where the Iksan National Industrial Complex, designated in 1970, and its aging industrial complexes are being transformed into a new business hub.

The Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (KICOX) is achieving results through its ‘Structural Advancement Project’ aimed at securing the competitiveness of national industrial complexes. The Iksan National Industrial Complex is a representative case. This project, which focuses on increasing the added value of tenant companies, improving residential conditions, and attracting corporate support and convenience facilities, is being carried out mostly on the northern side of the Iksan Industrial Complex. To maximize the agglomeration effect, KICOX plans to establish this area as an innovation belt for the structural advancement project.

◆An Industrial Complex Becoming a ‘Beautiful Street’ = The Iksan Structural Advancement Project Innovation Belt consists of the Iksan Business Center, Central Park, Convention Center, Jisin Industry Center, and complex facilities. The street where these buildings are located is being developed by Iksan City into a beautiful street. The industrial complex is shedding its image of old factory chimneys and transforming into a ‘walkable and desirable destination.’ The beautiful street is being created along a buffer green zone between the industrial complex boundary area and residential areas, covering approximately 1.8 km in length, 60 m in width, and an area of 51,000 square meters. The project period is until the end of this year.

Shin Yeon-sik, head of the Iksan branch of the Jeonbuk Regional Headquarters of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, explained, "The Iksan National Industrial Complex is located within the city center, so it is adjacent to residential areas. We have been striving for win-win development with the local community by attracting private investment to build residential, convenience, and cultural facilities along with the advancement of tenant industries, mainly around the industrial complex boundary area."

Aerial view of Iksan Industrial Complex taken by aerial photography in 2019.

◆Leaping to Become a Business Hub = The Iksan National Industrial Complex is expected to leap forward as a regional business hub through this structural advancement project. The Iksan Comprehensive Business Center, located at the starting point of the Iksan Structural Advancement Project Innovation Belt, is a space established to revitalize the complex and promote balanced regional development by building infrastructure to support tenant companies. It houses corporate support institutions and research organizations such as the Korea Lighting Research Institute, the 3D Printing Honam Hub Center, and the Iksan Startup Incubation Center.

Next to the Business Center are the Knowledge Industry Center and the Convention Hotel. The Knowledge Industry Center, with two basement floors and ten above-ground floors, and the Convention Center, along with the Convention Hotel featuring 155 rooms, play roles in fostering a startup-friendly environment and building support infrastructure to revitalize the local economy.

In response to the need for development linked to nearby convergence complex zones, the creation of a complex facility is also underway. This facility, with one basement floor and 20 above-ground floors, is being developed into above-ground logistics and residential facilities, contributing to the revitalization of the industrial complex and strengthening the competitiveness of tenant companies. The Central Park development project, located at the end of the street, will be completed this year. This project was promoted to provide the best residential environment with excellent accessibility to attract industrial complex workers and high-level talent. It consists of urban-style residential housing, officetels, neighborhood living facilities, and cultural complex spaces, with a current sales rate exceeding 80%.

Director Shin emphasized, "Through the structural advancement project, the Iksan National Industrial Complex will attract cutting-edge industrial facilities that respond to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and transform from an old and outdated industrial complex into a modernized industrial complex where young people want to work."