New Elementary School Established on Commercial Land in Luwon City, Seo-gu, Incheon

Starting This Month, Development Plan Changes to Proceed After Public Inspection and Other Procedures

Planned Site for New Elementary School in Incheon Luwon City [Provided by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] An elementary school will be newly established in Luwon City, Seo-gu, Incheon.

Incheon City announced on the 3rd that it is promoting a development plan change to secure a 14,000㎡ site for an elementary school in the Commercial Site 3 of Luwon City, in consultation with the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education and Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH).

In the commercial site of Luwon City, a private developer has applied for a building permit to construct about 6,000 officetels. Originally, this site was a general site including a school site, but the school site disappeared as it was changed to a commercial site, causing strong opposition from residents.

According to the revision of the Special Act on Securing School Sites, when constructing officetels with more than 300 households, a school site must be secured.

Accordingly, in May, the city formed a consultative body including the Metropolitan Office of Education, LH, the private developer, and resident representatives, and has held four rounds of discussions on the premise of establishing one elementary school with an area of more than 13,000㎡.

During this process, difficulties arose as lands other than those generating school-age population proposed by the private developer did not meet the school establishment criteria.

However, considering the school establishment standards, related laws, and the current student status of Luwon City and surrounding elementary schools, the city decided to establish a school in Commercial Site 3, where a large influx of school-age population is expected among Sites 1 to 4 and Commercial Site 3, and to promote the development plan change.

The city plans to finalize the development plan change this month through administrative procedures such as public inspection for residents, consultations with related agencies, and review by the city’s urban planning committee.

An official from Incheon City stated, "Since Luwon City is a residential and commercial complex city where a small business cluster, a complex government building, and the Incheon Regional Tax Office will be located, we will support the proper establishment of educational infrastructure as well."