Sintong Planning Speeds Up... "Pass Planning and Design if Residents Propose"

Planning with advisory approach where there is a direction
"Demand for Sintong Planning to Grow with Reconstruction Regulation Relaxation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Onyu Lim] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is introducing a new planning method that actively reflects residents' proposals to accelerate the speed of rapid integrated planning. With the government significantly easing reconstruction regulations, demand is expected to increase, and the city plans to efficiently support each project.

On the 17th, Seoul announced that on the 16th it established the 'Rapid Integrated Planning Improvement Plan,' which introduces an advisory method (fast track) in addition to the existing planning method. Rapid integrated planning is a system where, from the early stages of redevelopment and reconstruction led by the private sector, Seoul prepares guidelines harmonizing project feasibility and public interest together with residents to support swift project execution.

Previously, Seoul operated by directly planning and presenting planning directions. With the addition of the advisory method, areas with residents' proposals or district unit plans can now shorten the planning period through advisory services without issuing planning design service orders.

This improvement plan reflects the high resident response to rapid integrated planning and the anticipated increase in demand due to regulatory easing related to maintenance projects, such as the relaxation of safety inspections. Since the eased reconstruction safety inspection standards took effect on the 5th, about 100 complexes currently undergoing safety inspections are expected to soon proceed with reconstruction projects. A Seoul city official explained, "To respond to the increasing demand while maximizing the autonomy and creativity of the private sector and supporting rapid maintenance projects without trial and error, we introduced the advisory method."

Going forward, among the areas applying for rapid integrated planning, those with residents' proposals or district unit plans will, in principle, apply the advisory method, while areas such as redevelopment contest sites where the public must prepare planning directions will proceed with the traditional planning method. In reconstruction cases, the advisory method applies to areas with residents' proposals and those where public planning directions such as district unit plans are established (or planned). For redevelopment, areas with residents' proposals and small-scale areas not subject to development project landscape review (under 30,000㎡) will, in principle, proceed with the advisory method. This improvement will apply from the second contest selection areas announced on December 29 last year.

Projects promoted through the advisory method will still receive the same administrative support under rapid integrated planning, such as urban planning authorization review and integrated review of project implementation plans.

Namjun Cho, Director of the Urban Planning Bureau, said, "With the introduction of the rapid integrated planning fast track, voluntary project promotion by the private sector will be activated, enabling rapid integrated planning in more areas needing residential environment improvement," adding, "From a long-term perspective, it is expected to establish a stable housing supply foundation and innovatively improve urban and residential spaces."