[Seoul District News] Nowon-gu Has the Most Aged Apartments Over 30 Years Subject to Reconstruction Safety Inspections Among Seoul Districts & On the 6th, 'Nowon Reconstruction and Redevelopment Rapid Promotion Team' Launched and Organizational Restructuring Creates New Rapid Promotion TF Team
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is set to actively initiate district-level efforts for the reconstruction of aging apartments.
Nowon-gu, a densely populated apartment area, has the highest number among Seoul’s autonomous districts with 42 apartment complexes and approximately 65,000 households subject to reconstruction safety inspections, all built over 30 years ago.
The most immediate consequence of aging apartments is population decline. From about 600,000 people as of the end of September 2012, the population has rapidly decreased to approximately 507,000 as of last month. A survey conducted to identify reasons for migration to other areas revealed that 48% of respondents cited ‘poor living conditions’ such as rusted pipes and severe parking difficulties as the main causes.
The district’s efforts to smoothly promote reconstruction are being pursued in three major areas: formation of a Reconstruction and Redevelopment Rapid Promotion Task Force, revision of the ordinance to support costs for detailed safety inspections of apartments, and establishment of a Rapid Promotion T/F team.
■ Formation of the Public-Private Council ‘Nowon Reconstruction and Redevelopment Rapid Promotion Task Force’
First, the ‘Nowon Reconstruction and Redevelopment Rapid Promotion Task Force’ will be operated. This is to proactively respond to the expected significant increase in reconstruction demand. The task force consists of 85 members, including members of the National Assembly, city and district council members, reconstruction/redevelopment stakeholders, related private organizations, and experts.
Main activities include ▲seeking rapid reconstruction promotion plans ▲discussing system improvements ▲public relations and education. Regular meetings will be held twice a year, in the first and second halves, with extraordinary meetings convened as needed. The inauguration ceremony will be held on the 6th at the 6th-floor small auditorium of Nowon-gu Office.
■ Ongoing Efforts to Revise Seoul City Ordinance to Support Costs for Detailed Safety Inspections
Revision of the Seoul City ordinance to support ‘detailed safety inspection costs’ is also underway. According to the Urban and Residential Environment Maintenance Act, safety inspection costs ‘may be borne by the requester,’ which is discretionary, and currently some local governments in Incheon and Gyeonggi-do support these costs.
In contrast, Seoul City’s Urban and Residential Environment Maintenance Ordinance stipulates as a mandatory rule that ‘the requester of the safety inspection must bear all costs related to the safety inspection.’
If the ordinance is revised to reduce the financial burden on residents, it is expected that the promotion of reconstruction in aging apartment complexes will be further activated, accelerating maintenance projects.
■ Establishment of Rapid Promotion T/F Team
The district will establish a ‘Rapid Promotion T/F Team’ to prepare for the arrival of reconstruction eligibility and to facilitate smooth promotion and support of maintenance projects. The team will consist of three public officials including a team leader and one private expert in maintenance projects and urban planning.
They plan to produce maintenance project manuals and operate a visiting customized consulting and counseling center. They will also actively support reviewing litigation documents related to maintenance projects, interpreting laws, discovering system improvements, and selecting target sites. The team will also manage the operation of the Rapid Promotion Task Force.
The district has continuously requested the government to ease reconstruction safety inspection standards. In October last year, a meeting was held with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The government also created a favorable environment for reconstruction of aging apartments by easing safety inspection standards through the announcement of the ‘National Housing Stability Realization Plan’ on the 16th of last month.
Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, stated, “Starting with the launch of the Nowon Reconstruction and Redevelopment Rapid Promotion Task Force, we plan to smoothly promote reconstruction and redevelopment. Through public-private cooperation, we will do our best to make Nowon a vibrant center in the northeastern metropolitan area.”
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