Seoul City's First Application of 'Abolition of Type 2 Seven-Story' Regulation Relaxation
Up to 25 Floors, About 1,600 Households to Be Built
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The Bangbae 15 District in Seocho-gu, Seoul, which had faced difficulties in designating a maintenance zone due to mixed land use areas, has initiated its reconstruction. As the final puzzle of detached house reconstruction in Bangbae-dong, it is expected to transform into a new apartment complex with over 1,600 households.
On the 19th, Seoul City held its first urban planning committee meeting of the year and announced on the 20th that it had approved the revised "Bangbae 15 District Housing Reconstruction Maintenance Plan" for the area around 528-3 Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu.
The Bangbae 15 District had faced challenges in promoting reconstruction due to the coexistence of Type 1, Type 2 seven-story, and Type 2 residential areas. The process of adjusting land use zones and coordinating building plans was not smooth. However, the project gained momentum after Seoul City completely abolished the seven-story height restriction for Type 2 areas in October last year. The city upgraded the Type 2 seven-story zone to a Type 2 residential area and finalized the maintenance plan. This is the first time the regulatory relaxation has been applied.
Through this review, the Bangbae 15 District is planned to have a new apartment complex with a maximum height of 25 stories and a total of 1,688 households. Considering there are 886 landowners, the scale has significantly increased. The total area is 84,934㎡, with a floor area ratio of up to 240% and a building coverage ratio of 60% applied. As a result of the floor area ratio increase, 300 public rental housing units were secured through public contributions, and these will be mixed with general sale units, including medium-sized units. A park and the Bangbae 2-dong Community Center will be built in the Type 1 residential area. A Seoul City official explained, "The final number of households may change due to possible adjustments in the number of floors in some complexes."
Bangbae-dong, where relatively low-rise old residential areas are concentrated in the Gangnam area, is seeing continuous detached house reconstruction. Surrounding Dogumeori Park, Bangbae 5, 14, and 13 Districts have already received management disposition approval and are undergoing relocation or construction. With the reconstruction of Bangbae 15 District now in full swing, the area's appearance is expected to change. Once all reconstructions are completed, about 10,000 new apartment units will be supplied in Bangbae-dong alone. A representative from nearby A Real Estate Agency said, "As the houses age and new apartments are built in Banpo-dong, the area can regain its reputation as a prestigious neighborhood in Gangnam."
Meanwhile, at the same urban planning committee meeting, the revised maintenance plan for the "Seosomun Urban Maintenance-type Redevelopment Districts 11 and 12" in 58-9 Seosomun-dong, Jung-gu, was also approved. This area was designated as a maintenance zone in 1973 but had been neglected as an isolated space in the city center for over 40 years without project progress. The city plans to integrate and develop four districts, including nearby steel parking lots and old building sites, and construct office and retail facilities up to 20 stories high.
A Seoul City official stated, "Although located at a major gateway on the west side of the historic downtown, this area was inefficiently used. With this maintenance plan revision, we expect to build landmark office facilities that will contribute to revitalizing the city center and enhancing urban competitiveness."
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