Incheon Songdo B1 Block Implementation Plan Change... Supply of Resident Convenience Facilities Such as Academies and Neighborhood Shops

Excluding Residential Officetels and Occupancy of Convenience Facilities on Floors 1 to 6

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] A large-scale neighborhood commercial area, including academies, is set to be established on the B1 block (32,270㎡) of the international business site in Districts 6 and 8 (Songdo Landmark City) of Songdo International City, Incheon, significantly expanding the living infrastructure.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced on the 3rd that it plans to change the implementation plan for this area, where residential officetel construction is currently permitted under the district unit plan, within the first half of this year and prioritize land supply going forward.

Accordingly, neighborhood commercial facilities will be allowed on floors 1 through 6 of the B1 block, while office facilities excluding officetels will be established from the 7th floor upward.

Additionally, for the adjacent international business site B2 block, the authority plans to comprehensively consider surrounding development conditions, including the temporary relocation of the Songdo 5-dong Community Service Center, and review development plan changes after the first half of next year.

This decision by the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority actively reflects public opinion that the residential environment is poor due to a lack of convenience facilities such as academies, large supermarkets, neighborhood commercial areas, daycare centers, and parking lots, as apartments have been rapidly built in Songdo District 8.

At the same time, the restriction on residential officetel construction was considered necessary to alleviate population overcrowding in this area.

Land Use Plan Map of Songdo 6·8 District International Business Site B1 Block [Provided by Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority]

The B1 block has a building coverage ratio of 60%, a floor area ratio of 500%, a height limit of 180m, and permitted building uses under the district unit plan include Type 1 and 2 neighborhood living facilities, sales facilities, sports facilities, cultural and assembly facilities, educational research facilities, and office facilities.

Through the implementation plan change, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority intends to allow only neighborhood living facilities, sales facilities, sports facilities, cultural and assembly facilities, and educational research facilities up to the 6th floor, excluding officetels from office facilities.

Currently, in Songdo District 8, four out of six residential apartment sites have been occupied by A1 The Sharp Songdo Marina Bay, A2 Songdo Ocean Park Verdiem, A3 e-Pyeonhansesang Songdo, and A4 Songdo SK View apartments.

Kim Jin-yong, head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, stated, "Through the implementation plan change, we will do our best to further develop Songdo, which has already established itself as an educational city, into a more international educational city."