"Need to Ease Regulations for Eco-Friendly Development Along the Hangang River"
Changes in Gangdong with the Creation of Godeok Biz Valley
Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu (photo), said, "Since taking office, I have been actively working to resolve transportation issues, including the direct connection of Line 5 and attracting the GTX-D line to Gangdong, which are long-standing demands of the residents." (Photo by Gangdong-gu Office)
"Gangdong-gu is an autonomous district with a high influx rate of people in their 30s and 40s, gaining attention as a city in the Gangnam area that is ideal for raising children. Prestigious school districts such as Hanyeong High School, Paejae High School, and Hanyeong Foreign Language High School are concentrated here, and the Godeok Biz Valley, which began occupancy last July, is expected to host 14 companies by the end of this year, further elevating Gangdong's brand value as a self-sufficient city."
Seoul's Gangdong-gu is rich in ecological resources, with a green space ratio reaching 44%. This contributes to its strong eco-friendly image. Redevelopment and reconstruction are actively underway around the old town area of Cheonho-dong, while the new town areas of Godeok and Sangil-dong have already completed reconstruction, creating a pleasant atmosphere. The Godeok Biz Valley is expected to be completed by 2025, invigorating the local economy as a self-sufficient city.
However, Gangdong-gu faces challenges and unresolved issues. Lee Soo-hee, the mayor of Gangdong-gu, emphasized, "The key to Gangdong's development lies in resolving transportation and Han River-side regulations. To expand Gangdong as a premium residential area, it is necessary to solve traffic problems in the new town and ease regulations for eco-friendly development along the Han River." We met Mayor Lee at Gangdong-gu Office on the 9th. The following is a Q&A.
- Gangdong-gu is known as a good place to live, but it is said to be neglected in terms of transportation infrastructure.
▲ Gangdong-gu's population is rapidly increasing, expected to surpass 500,000 soon due to the occupancy of large-scale reconstruction and redevelopment complexes such as the 12,000-household Olympic Park Foreon and the establishment of business complexes. However, railway transportation infrastructure is insufficient.
Since taking office, I have been actively visiting central government departments, Seoul city, and other external agencies to directly request key issues such as the Metropolitan Area Express Railway (GTX)-D line passing through Gangdong-gu and the direct connection of Line 5. For solving transportation problems in the eastern metropolitan area, the GTX-D line must pass through Gangdong-gu. Also, directly connecting Dunchon-dong Station and Gubeundari Station on Line 5 will greatly improve accessibility to Gangnam, where many jobs are located, and increase economic feasibility. Transportation infrastructure is not only a matter at the district level, so continuous consultation and communication with related organizations are crucial.
- Is eco-friendly development along the Han River a similar issue?
▲ Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is actively promoting the 'Great Han River' plan to lift development regulations and advance the Han River area, but development on the eastern side of the Han River faces various regulations, preventing expansion beyond Songpa (Jamsil). For Seoul's development and citizens' quality of life, it is essential to reconsider and ease regulations to allow eco-friendly development extending to Gangdong. Regulations designated long ago, such as water source protection zones, need to be reviewed from a current perspective to enable projects like skywalks and eco-friendly development, transforming the area into a leisure city and a place to enjoy.
The district mayor emphasized, "Regulatory relaxation is necessary for eco-friendly development along the Han River." (Photo by Gangdong District Office)
- Gangdong-gu is strongly perceived as a residential city, but recently, jobs have also increased significantly.
▲ With the full-scale occupancy of companies in Godeok Biz Valley in Godeok-dong, Gangdong's economic map is changing. By this year, 14 company headquarters will have moved in, and by 2025, most companies and IKEA will be settled. Furthermore, when JYP Entertainment's integrated headquarters is established, it is expected to attract overseas visitors.
Once the Godeok Biz Valley is completed, about 15,000 people will work in the resident companies, and approximately 38,000 new jobs are expected to be created related to this.
The Gangdong General Industrial Complex near Sangil IC has completed 96% of land compensation this year. Starting next year, land will be sold mainly to engineering and information technology (IT) industries, creating an industrial and business complex with about 200 small and medium-sized enterprises and 16,000 workers.
- What changes are occurring in the old town areas like Cheonho and Seongnae?
▲ Most of the seven districts under the Cheonho and Seongnae redevelopment promotion project will be completed sequentially from next year through 2027. Additionally, Seoul's station area revitalization projects are underway in five areas including Seongnae-dong, Gildong, and Dunchon-dong. Gangdong-gu is making significant efforts in urban planning, reconstruction, redevelopment, and new construction to ensure proper urban development.
In particular, we are promoting the 'Gangdong Grand Design,' a long-term development plan for Gangdong-gu. We held the second interim briefing last month and plan to establish and announce the final plan early next year.
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