Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is resuming the long-stalled redevelopment project in the Seongsu-dong area of Seongdong-gu. The plan involves lifting the floor height restriction of up to 50 floors and creating a ‘waterfront cultural residential complex’ that connects the Han River waterfront with residential spaces.
Overview of the Redevelopment Maintenance Plan for Seongsu Strategic Maintenance Zone, Seoul [Photo by Seoul City]
On the 27th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it has prepared a redevelopment maintenance plan amendment for the 'Seongsu Strategic Maintenance District.' The project aims to actively incorporate and share the Han River waterfront within residential spaces, targeting a ‘waterfront-friendly emotional residential complex.’
The Seongsu Strategic Maintenance District, considered one of the prime locations along the Han River in Seoul, is a redevelopment zone in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu. This area was designated as a maintenance district in 2007 and the project was finalized in 2009 during then-Mayor Oh Se-hoon's Han River Renaissance Project. However, redevelopment progress stalled due to the 35-floor height limit imposed by former Mayor Park Won-soon’s '2030 Seoul Urban Basic Plan,' and in 2011, the district unit plan was revised, dividing the area into four zones.
With the relaxation of floor height restrictions, redevelopment of ultra-high-rise buildings exceeding 50 floors has become possible. The city plans to designate the entire target area as a ‘special architectural zone’ to encourage design innovation, relax building coverage and floor area ratios, and apply flexible height planning. Previously, the height was regulated to a maximum of 50 floors (average below 30 floors), but now, by applying the ‘Urban and Architectural Creative and Innovative Design Guidelines’ and establishing architectural plans, the height can be determined through the architectural committee review, enabling flexible height planning.
Although height restrictions have been eased, the plan is to create a rhythmic, wave-shaped skyline rather than uniform high-rise buildings, and to induce a ‘gradation-type landscape’ that gradually lowers toward the waterfront and the district’s four main axes to maximize the number of units with Han River views.
Seongsu Strategic Maintenance District Redevelopment Maintenance Plan Linear Park Example [Photo by Seoul City]
The proposed ‘Seongsu Strategic Maintenance District Redevelopment Plan Amendment’ also includes measures to improve site conditions that were previously blocked by Gangbyeonbuk-ro, allowing pedestrian access to the Han River waterfront. To encourage natural access to the Han River, a multi-level deck will be constructed inside the complex, and the complex will be centrally arranged to maximize the sense of openness along the street and the number of units with Han River views, according to the city.
Commercial, office, and leisure functions will be established along the ‘Seongsu Station?Han River connection axis,’ while a linear park and waterfront park will be created along the ‘Seoul Forest?Han River?Ttukseom connection axis.’ The waterfront park will be constructed at a higher elevation than Gangbyeonbuk-ro to compensate for the site’s locational limitations and create a ‘new sunset attraction’ connected to the complex. Along the Ttukseom-ro side, which connects to the existing urban area, key public service functions will be placed. Compared to the original maintenance plan, the lot area will be expanded by about 50,000 square meters, the net burden rate will be reduced by about 10%, and the number of households will be increased by more than 9%, enhancing the project’s feasibility.
The city plans to bring the Han River into the center of citizens’ lives and recreate it as a hub that boosts urban vitality. Through international design competitions and benchmarking overseas cases that harmonize with the Han River and actively utilize the waterfront, an ‘innovative water cultural facility’ will also be developed.
Han Byung-yong, Director of Seoul’s Housing Policy Office, said, “The stalled ‘Seongsu Strategic Maintenance District’ unit plan and maintenance plan amendment have been prepared, and we expect the ‘Garden City Seoul’ and ‘Great Han River Project’ to be realized in earnest. We will actively provide administrative support to complete the amendment decision within this year through the maintenance plan amendment process.”
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