Gangbuk-gu, Bukhansan International Climbing Center Pilot Operation

[Seoul District News] Gangbuk-gu Pilot Operation from July 19 to August 7, Official Opening on August 9 · Beginner Experience Climbing Program Also Available... Seongdong-gu Construction Site Barriers Praised for Creative Design... Dongdaemun-gu, Shinimun Station Area Long-Term Lease Housing Urban Maintenance-Type Redevelopment Project Maintenance Zone Change

Exterior view of Bukhansan International Climbing Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) will conduct a pilot operation of the newly established ‘Bukhansan International Climbing Center’ from the 19th to August 7th.

Located next to the Meeting Square in Uidong, the ‘Bukhansan International Climbing Center’ (80, Samyang-ro 173-gil, Gangbuk-gu) was built with a total floor area of 447.69㎡, measuring 29m in width, 14m in length, and 19m in height. It is notable for being situated near popular climbing routes such as Insubong, attracting rock climbers, and its excellent accessibility is expected to allow many residents to use it conveniently.

Sports climbing consists of three disciplines: speed, lead, and bouldering. The Bukhansan International Climbing Center features a lead wall that meets international standards with a height and width of 15m each, and a speed wall measuring 15m in height and 6m in width.

Additionally, it has an indoor climbing wall with a lead wall of 12m height and 18m width, allowing climbing activities regardless of weather during the rainy season and winter.

The district has ensured user safety by installing an auto-belay system that automatically prevents falls, as well as elastic flooring and shock-absorbing mats on the floor.

From the start of the pilot operation on the 19th until August 7th, anyone can use the facility free of charge.

The official opening will be on August 9th. Operating hours are from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM Tuesday through Friday, and from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM on weekends and public holidays, with closure every Monday. The usage fee is 3,000 KRW on weekdays and 4,000 KRW on weekends for adults.

The district plans to operate sports climbing education programs in the future, especially offering beginner experience programs every Saturday morning for those new to climbing.

For more details, inquiries can be made to the Bukhansan International Climbing Center or the Gangbuk-gu Culture, Tourism, and Sports Department.

Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “We hope the Bukhansan International Climbing Center will become a representative attraction in Gangbuk-gu enjoyed by local residents and clubs,” and added, “We look forward to outstanding athletes who will shine on the world stage emerging from the Bukhansan International Climbing Center.”

Red brick design construction site hoarding installed in Seongsu-dong (Everything, the digital world doesn't have, all things that cannot exist in the digital world)

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) is revitalizing the bleak construction site hoardings by incorporating creative designs that reflect local characteristics.

Previously, construction site hoardings were monotonous and repetitive, leading to complaints about their lack of aesthetic appeal. Against this backdrop, Seongdong-gu installed uniquely designed construction hoardings near Ttukseom Station in Seongsu-dong, completely transforming the surrounding atmosphere.

The hoardings were reborn as design screens utilizing the red brick alleyways, a trademark of Seongsu-dong, earning high praise from both the young people passing by and local residents.

The design was created by the artist ‘NOVO,’ who captivated the trend-leading MZ generation. Drawing from his childhood experiences in Seongsu-dong, the artist was inspired by the warmth of people encountered in the alleys and the red bricks of factories.

Seongsu-dong, known as a cultural hub where past and present coexist and a forefront of trends, features numerous red brick buildings from the 70s and 80s that show the marks of time, as well as recently constructed red brick buildings, all supported by Seongdong-gu’s preservation and support policies for red brick architecture. The blending of Seongsu-dong’s trendy spaces with red bricks has formed the ‘Atelier Street,’ which is also why Seongsu-dong is called the ‘Brooklyn of Korea.’

Visitors to Seongsu-dong can feel the hot vibe even from the construction hoardings, and it is not uncommon to see people taking photos with the hoardings as a backdrop.

Construction Site Barrier in Yongdap-dong

Another example is the construction hoarding in Yongdap-dong across from Sindap Station, which has been transformed into a lush ivy forest full of green leaves. It harmonizes with the nearby Cheonggyecheon Stream and street trees, creating the illusion of being in a cool green forest during the hot summer.

Lee Seon-yi (55, resident of Yongdap-dong), who frequently uses this street, said, “When I pass this street, it doesn’t feel like a dull construction site but like walking through a forest path, which is very healing.”

Seongdong-gu hired professional staff and significantly reinforced the existing Public Design Committee to accommodate original designs that blend into the surrounding landscape. With the involvement of design experts, local issues fitting the regional characteristics are actively incorporated from the field perspective, enhancing residents’ satisfaction by creating another visual attraction.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “The transformation of construction site hoardings is part of the process of advancing toward the best city through high-quality public design, allowing residents to take pride in living in Seongdong-gu.” He added, “We are selecting public design proposals unique to Seongdong that highlight the characteristics of our neighborhood to break away from the rigid government-led style and introduce creative designs, which will soon be visible on construction site hoardings.”

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) held a resident briefing session on June 28th regarding the change of the maintenance zone for the Sinimun Station area long-term lease housing urban maintenance-type redevelopment project (hereinafter ‘Sinimun Station Area Redevelopment Project’), and is conducting a public inspection notice to collect residents’ opinions until August 1st.

The district is converting the aging building-dense area around 168-1 Imun-dong (land area 39,717㎡), which was excluded from the Imun-Hwigyeong promotion zone, into a station area redevelopment project based on the station area regulation relaxation policy.

The area was designated as a maintenance zone by Seoul City on December 3, 2020. Following requests from residents near the existing redevelopment zone for inclusion, more than 80% of all landowners agreed, and in November 2021, a proposal for a maintenance plan change (draft) was submitted to Dongdaemun-gu Office.

With the designation of the maintenance zone and the maintenance plan change (draft), the new apartment buildings will have a maximum height of 35 floors and a floor area ratio of 435%. The number of households will increase from 990 to 1,211, an increase of about 220 units, improving project feasibility. Additionally, 189 units of large housing types exceeding 85㎡ in exclusive area, which were not in the original plan, will be supplied.

Once the redevelopment projects underway in the Imun-Hwigyeong promotion district are completed, approximately 14,000 apartment units will be established in the area.

Near the project site are prestigious universities such as Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Kyung Hee University, and University of Seoul, as well as elementary, middle, and high schools, providing an excellent educational environment. Sinimun Station is nearby, making public transportation convenient.

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, stated, “The district will provide wholehearted cooperation and support to ensure the Sinimun Station Area Redevelopment Project proceeds swiftly.”