Kim Dong-yeon's '1st Phase Old New Town and Old Downtown Redevelopment' Reflected in Government Special Act

Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province (second from the right), visited the old downtown area of Anyang last September and is talking with local officials and others. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] It has been confirmed that the proposal for the redevelopment of first-generation aging new towns and old downtown areas, which Gyeonggi Province has strongly advocated for, has been largely reflected in the "Special Act on the Maintenance and Support of Aging Planned Cities (Draft)" being proposed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 8th that the proposals derived through active participation in the cooperative system between the central government and local governments, including the Ministry of Land's public-private joint special task force (TF) and working-level consultative body, together with Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation (GH) for the redevelopment of aging new towns and regeneration of old downtown areas, have been extensively incorporated into the government's special act.

Key reflected proposals include ▲setting the special act's application target as land sites over 1 million square meters completed more than 20 years ago ▲securing Gyeonggi Province's authority such as approval rights for basic plans and consultation rights before designating special maintenance zones ▲operation of a general project manager system ▲allowing various forms of public contributions and donations ▲integrated reviews for administrative procedure shortening including architecture, traffic, and disaster ▲establishment of a special account for installation and operation of infrastructure ▲grounds for easing floor area ratio and safety inspections, and establishment of relocation measures.

The province especially expects that the inclusion of easing regulations on floor area ratio and safety inspections, which are major civil complaints in the redevelopment of first-generation new towns, as well as integrated reviews, will accelerate project progress.

Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon, upon receiving this report the day before, evaluated, "The significant reflection of Gyeonggi Province's position, which reflects the will of the residents, is the result of active communication and cooperation between the central and local governments."

He added, "New town redevelopment is not merely about resolving aging issues but a strategy aimed at future cities," emphasizing, "Efforts to improve aging housing, including not only new towns but also old downtown areas, must be pursued simultaneously."

Earlier, in November last year, Governor Kim attended the "First-generation New Town Citizen Governance Committee Inauguration Ceremony" and promised, "Gyeonggi Province will do its best for the reconstruction or remodeling of aging new towns to protect the safety and property rights of first-generation new town residents."

Also, after inspecting the aging status of the Samboo Apartments in Saetbyeol Village, Bundang, Seongnam City in August last year, he expressed his determination for the redevelopment of aging old downtown areas including first-generation new towns during the "Minsheng Field Handshake Talk" in Anyang City in September.

The province plans to actively work to reflect additional necessary supplements, including maintenance and management after redevelopment, which are currently missing from the government’s legislative bill, by collecting opinions from residents and experts during the National Assembly legislative process.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land plans to propose the bill within this month after final opinion collection and consultation with the National Assembly.