Yeongdeungpo-gu Awarded Council Chairman's Prize at the 'Chamjoeun Local Autonomy Policy Competition'

Introduction to the Redevelopment Project of Street Vendors, Gosiwon, and Red-Light District around Yeongdeungpo Station

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) announced on the 21st that it received the Chairman's Award from the Good Local Government Association at the awards ceremony of the 'Good Local Autonomy Policy Conference' held at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido for the policy case of creating 'Yeongdeungpo Reborn through Communication and Coexistence, an Open Yeongdeungpo.'

This conference, jointly hosted by the Good Local Government Association, the National Association of City and County Mayors, and the Presidential Committee on Autonomy and Decentralization, was organized to widely promote excellent policies that improve residents' quality of life and to activate policy exchanges among local governments.

At this conference, Yeongdeungpo-gu was selected as an excellent policy case by introducing the redevelopment of the three major long-standing issues unresolved for over 50 years?street vendors in front of Yeongdeungpo Station, the jjokbangchon (small room village), and the sex trade district?through communication, cooperation, and innovation.

Since 2018, the district has been actively promoting various urban revitalization projects centered around Yeongdeungpo Station, leading to significant changes.

The greatest achievement is the redevelopment of Yeongjung-ro street vendors in front of Yeongdeungpo Station through communication and coexistence. Through continuous dialogue and persuasion, the street vendors occupying Yeongjung-ro for a long time were completely removed in just two hours without any physical conflict.

The district successfully introduced the 'Street Vendor Permit System' to guarantee the livelihood of street vendors and secure pedestrian rights, transforming Yeongjung-ro into a pedestrian-centered open street. This became a catalyst for the expansion of the 'Street Vendor Permit System' throughout Seoul.

It also took fundamental measures to improve the jjokbangchon around Yeongdeungpo Station, where the poor residential environment required urgent redevelopment. Through continuous consultations with Seoul City and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Yeongdeungpo jjokbangchon was designated as a public housing district as a public-led redevelopment model, introducing the nation's first 'prior relocation and virtuous cycle' method to resolve resident relocation issues. The district plans to redevelop the jjokbangchon into a residential, commercial, and welfare town, contributing to inclusive housing welfare for vulnerable residents.

Furthermore, the district has established a redevelopment plan to transform the sex trade district in front of Yeongdeungpo Station into a mixed-use complex considering the characteristics of the urban area and is making every effort to accelerate the project. The area is expected to be reborn as a complex integrating industry, culture, and residence, becoming the center and landmark of Yeongdeungpo and a catalyst for revitalizing the local economy.

A district official stated, "This award is the fruit of the efforts of the administration and residents working together with one heart for regional development," adding, "We will continue to do our best to enhance Yeongdeungpo's status as one of Seoul's three central cities and open a second renaissance with residents by steadily promoting key projects such as the construction of the 2nd Sejong Cultural Center and the demolition of the Yeongdeungpo Rotary overpass based on communication and cooperation."