Introduction of Resident Re-settlement in Namdaemun Goshiwon Area... 22-Story Office Building to Be Constructed

To Prevent Eviction of Jjokbang Residents, Public Rental Housing to Be Developed
Jjokbang Village to Be Demolished... 22-Story Office Building to Be Constructed

Location map of the jjokbangchon (small room village) within Yangdong 11 and 12 districts under redevelopment. (Provided by Seoul City)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The Namdaemun jjokbang village near Seoul Station is being demolished and replaced with a 22-story office facility. The approach adopted involves relocating the jjokbang residents first to ensure they do not lose their homes, followed by demolition and construction. This is the first time that a resident resettlement plan has been established in a private redevelopment project.

On the 21st, Seoul City held the 13th Urban Planning Committee Delegated Subcommittee and announced on the 22nd that it had approved a revised urban maintenance-type redevelopment plan for Yangdong District 11 and 12 in the area of 580 Namdaemun-ro 5-ga, Jung-gu.

This area, which formed a shantytown during the Korean War, has housed shacks, inns, and guesthouses since the 1960s, and currently consists of old buildings averaging over 56 years in age. Approximately 230 people live in 19 jjokbang buildings, each about 3.3㎡ single rooms, but they are exposed to poor sanitary conditions and risks such as building collapse, making urgent countermeasures necessary.

Accordingly, during the process of establishing the redevelopment maintenance plan for the area, Seoul City conducted several practical discussions with Jung-gu Office and the project proposer, devising a plan to ensure that jjokbang residents are not forced onto the streets due to redevelopment but can resettle and live again.

First, a new residential space will be prepared to relocate residents, followed by demolition and construction, adopting a 'prior relocation, virtuous cycle' relocation plan. Additionally, to enable jjokbang residents to resettle in the area, 182 public rental housing units and social welfare facilities supporting self-sufficiency, medical care, employment, and community activities will be established. The public rental housing will primarily be supplied to jjokbang residents in the project area. For those who find independent living difficult or do not qualify for residency, temporary accommodation will be provided in a temporary shelter within the social welfare facility, with support for subsequent relocation to other residential spaces.

The jjokbang buildings will be completely demolished considering safety, and a 22-story office facility will be newly constructed. The building coverage ratio is set at 60% or less, the floor area ratio at 1126% or less, and the height at 90 meters or less. A floor area ratio incentive relaxation was applied for constructing buildings to facilitate jjokbang resident relocation and welfare service provision.

Seo Seongman, head of Seoul City's Balanced Development Headquarters, said, "This maintenance plan is the first case of establishing a relocation plan for underprivileged and marginalized jjokbang residents through a private project," adding, "It is expected to have a significant ripple effect on future development projects in similar areas."