Gangnam Also Under New Planning... Gyeongnam, Useong 3rd, Hyundai 1st Reconstructed into 50-Story, 2300-Unit Complex

In Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, the Gyeongnam, Woosung 3rd, and Hyundai 1st Apartments will be reconstructed into a large complex of around 2,300 households with approximately 50 floors. Through Mayor Oh Se-hoon's rapid integrated planning initiative, the complex is expected to be reborn as an eco-friendly community harmonized with the Yangjaecheon waterfront and green spaces.

Gaepo Gyeongnam, Woosung 3rd Phase, Hyundai 1st Phase Reconstruction Perspective Rendering

On the 17th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the confirmation of the rapid integrated planning for the reconstruction of the Gyeongnam, Woosung 3rd, and Hyundai 1st Apartments.

Among the Gaepo Gyeongnam, Woosung 3rd, and Hyundai 1st Apartments, which were completed in 1984, the Hyundai 1st Apartments were first designated as a reconstruction maintenance zone in 2017. However, to establish integrated infrastructure maintenance and efficient architectural planning, the adjacent Woosung 3rd Apartments and Gyeongnam Apartments are being integrated into a single complex for reconstruction together with their residents. Nevertheless, there have been difficulties in reconciling the interests of residents from the three complexes who want reconstruction in place, regarding issues such as building height, infrastructure plans, and household distribution. A Seoul city official stated, "With Seoul City presenting integrated planning guidelines, the project is expected to accelerate."

The Gaepo Gyeongnam, Woosung 3rd, and Hyundai 1st Apartments will be transformed through reconstruction into an eco-friendly waterfront-specialized complex of about 2,340 households with around 50 floors.

Seoul City plans to establish infrastructure and architectural plans considering the integrated reconstruction. A 30-meter-wide north-south ventilation corridor and public pedestrian pathways will be planned within the complex, and by linking with surrounding complexes, the ventilation and pedestrian axis of the Gaepo district extending from Yangjaecheon to Daemosan will be completed. At the entrance of the public pedestrian pathway, a park will be placed to ensure convenience for citizens, and activation of the street along Gaeporo will be encouraged.

Considering the school commuting environment within the area (Guryong Elementary, Guryong Middle, Gaepo High, Gaeil Elementary), pedestrian routes connecting the three complexes will be established. Neighborhood living facilities will be concentrated along Gaeporo, which serves as a major living street in the Gaepo district, to promote street activation.

The plan also includes pedestrian connections linking the northern side of Yangjaecheon’s Dogok living area with the Gaepo living area, as well as connections with surrounding complexes. Currently, despite high pedestrian demand from the southern side of Yangjaecheon in the Gaepo district toward Dogok Station and Tower Palace, pedestrians have had to use sidewalks next to Yeongdong 3 Bridge (8 lanes) and Yeongdong 4 Bridge (4 lanes), which are vulnerable to noise and safety issues, or go down to Yangjaecheon to cross, causing inconvenience.

Therefore, to accommodate residents using the Dogok living area and vulnerable pedestrians, an elevated pedestrian bridge over Yangjaecheon is planned to enable connection between the two living areas without level differences. This will be linked with the public pedestrian pathway extending from Daemosan to Yangjaecheon to encourage pedestrian activity.

Finally, taking advantage of the location directly adjacent to Yangjaecheon, an eco-friendly complex layout has been planned. The spacing between the main buildings along Yangjaecheon will be widened to create an open layout where the park and the complex’s landscaping are integrated, and the introduction of waterfront-specialized spaces such as open community facilities for residents on the lower floors will be encouraged.

Jo Nam-jun, Director of Urban Planning at Seoul City, said, “As the residents of the three complexes have united to propose integrated reconstruction and Seoul City has accepted it, it has become possible to establish a reconstruction maintenance plan that harmonizes with the surrounding city.” He added, “Since the complexes on the southern side of Yangjaecheon in the Gaepo district are scheduled for sequential reconstruction, we hope this integrated reconstruction will serve as a model case for other reconstruction complexes.”