Seongbuk-gu Jongam District Launches Specialization in Bio and Medical R&D

Seongbuk-gu Jongam District Center Comprehensive Master Plan [Image provided by Seoul City]

On the 8th, Seoul City announced on the 9th that the 3rd Urban and Architectural Joint Committee approved a revised plan for the Jongam District Center zoning unit plan area and planning decision in Seongbuk-gu.

The Jongam District Center zoning unit plan area is a region where large-scale available land such as Goryeo Market Shopping Center and many small to medium-sized aging neighborhood living facilities are located along the main road, Jongam-ro. This review was promoted to reflect changes in local conditions such as the bio-medical R&D specialization projects in the Hongneung and Anam areas around the target site and the activation of the newly established station area following the opening of the Dongbuk Line light rail.

The main contents include a plan to induce complex development by introducing a special planning district with an upgraded land use zone (up to Neighborhood Commercial Area) to activate the new station area (Dongbuk Line Station 105) utilizing large-scale sites and to attract office support and venture companies for bio-medical R&D research, as well as a system for adjustable land use zones.

Additionally, to revitalize development along Jongam-ro, the plan includes easing land use for sales and office facilities (applicable in quasi-residential areas) and creating pedestrian-friendly spaces by establishing publicly accessible spaces around the light rail entrances and recommending uses to activate the street at lower levels.

With the zoning unit plan decision (draft) passing the Urban and Architectural Joint Committee review, the plan (draft) will undergo resident re-examination and official announcement procedures, and the final plan is expected to be decided and announced within the first half of the year. A Seoul City official stated that with this zoning unit plan decision, a plan to induce development using large-scale available land has been presented, and if such development projects proceed, significant changes are expected around the back gate of Korea University and along Jongam-ro.