Sinwol 7-dong Transformed into a Large Complex of 2,900 Households with Green Spaces... Height Restrictions Eased

Seoul City Confirms New Planning Proposal on the 1st
Development Challenged by Gimpo Airport Height Restrictions
Transformed into a Pleasant Residential Complex with Urban Gardens

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is transforming the area around 913, Sinwol 7-dong, Yangcheon-gu into a large complex of 2,900 households with abundant green spaces through rapid integrated planning. The height restrictions that had previously hindered redevelopment have been slightly relaxed, which is expected to facilitate project implementation.

On the 1st, Seoul announced the finalization of the rapid integrated planning proposal for the area around 931, Sinwol 7-dong. Although the site is surrounded by green spaces such as Jiyangsan, Gomdallae Park, Osolgil Park, and Dokseo Park, these areas had been aging, neglected, and lacked connectivity, resulting in low utilization. Accordingly, the city prepared a rapid integrated planning proposal to revitalize the area by creating an eco-friendly residential complex where residents can enjoy abundant gardens and greenery anywhere in the city by establishing new parks linked to existing ones and spatially connecting scattered green spaces around the site.

The area was formed through a land readjustment project in the 1970s and had faced many development restrictions due to height limits imposed because of the nearby Gimpo Airport. In particular, the narrow roads without separation between pedestrian and vehicle lanes, illegal parking, and poor infrastructure made residential environment improvements urgent. Despite residents' continuous desire for development, the area experienced several setbacks, including being excluded from the public redevelopment project in 2020. However, by the end of 2021, it was selected as a target for Seoul's rapid integrated planning, providing new momentum for regional development.

Seoul formed a team with residents, local government, and experts and, after over a year of intense discussions, adjustments, and active communication, established the rapid integrated planning proposal.

Initially, the site could be developed up to 11 to 12 floors due to the proximity of Gimpo Airport. However, through continuous consultations with Korea Airports Corporation, the city relaxed the height restrictions (from an elevation of 57.86m to 66.49m), allowing plans for buildings up to 14 to 15 floors. Additionally, the zoning was upgraded from Type 2 (up to 7 floors) general residential area to Type 2 general residential area, enabling plans with relaxed standards such as average floor count without requiring land donations.

As a result, the area around 913, Sinwol 7-dong will be transformed into a pleasant residential complex harmonizing with the surrounding area. The current 2,180 households will be expanded to approximately 2,900 households with buildings up to 14 to 15 floors (within the elevation limit). To this end, the plan includes four principles to create an eco-friendly residential complex where residents can enjoy abundant gardens and greenery in their daily urban life.

First, the project conditions were improved by relaxing the Gimpo Airport height restrictions, and a plan was established to create an urban landscape harmonious with the surroundings. To improve development constraints caused by height limits due to Gimpo Airport, consultations with Korea Airports Corporation allowed a relaxation of 2 to 3 floors (from an elevation of 57.86m to 66.49m).

As an alternative to height restrictions and density assurance, block-type residential buildings were planned with 1 to 2 floors of pilotis space and building segmentation to create a lively residential environment within the complex. Additionally, the heights of buildings along Jiyang-ro, a major local street, were planned to be lower than those inside the complex to secure openness and enable a gradual skyline formation.

Second, to create green urban spaces where gardens and greenery can be encountered anywhere in the city, the plan includes expanding and establishing parks linked to existing ones. Reflecting residents' opinions that the northern Gomdallae Park serves more as a passage than a resting place, the plan expands (establishes) parks within the complex linked to the aging Gomdallae Park to enhance its use as a green leisure space. Furthermore, scattered green spaces around the site are planned to be connected as pedestrian green corridors. In particular, to connect the disconnected green spaces between Osolgil Park and Gomdallae Park, the plan includes a connecting bridge, green connections within buildings, and rooftop greening to create a three-dimensional green pedestrian route, allowing the entire area to circulate along the park and green corridor.

Third, the plan envisions land use coordinated with traffic infrastructure expansion, including pedestrian flow planning considering the existing urban structure, road widening, and the establishment of a nearby subway station.

Lastly, to enhance residents' convenience, various neighborhood facilities will be arranged along major local streets, and community facilities for local residents will be secured in connection with main pedestrian routes.

With the finalization of the rapid integrated planning proposal for the redevelopment candidate site at 913, Sinwol 7-dong, Seoul expects to complete the maintenance plan drafting process within the year. Due to the simplification of procedures in rapid integrated planning, the review by the Urban Planning Committee's delegated subcommittee and related reviews during the project implementation plan will be integrated, significantly shortening the project period.

Jo Nam-jun, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Urban Planning Bureau, said, "Although there have been many setbacks due to constraints such as airport height restrictions, this plan will provide momentum for project promotion by applying flexible urban planning standards. We will actively support the smooth progress of the redevelopment project, which has been a long-standing wish of residents, and ensure that an eco-friendly residential complex where local residents can fully enjoy gardens and greenery in their daily lives is created not only in the target site but also in the surrounding area."