Yeom Tae-young, Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs of Gyeonggi Province (left), is submitting a letter from the Governor of Gyeonggi Province to the National Assembly.
Revitalization projects for aging planned cities, including the first-generation new towns in Gyeonggi-do, are expected to gain momentum.
Gyeonggi-do announced on the 1st that the "Special Act on Aging Planned Cities" was passed at the full meeting of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee on the 30th of last month. The act will be enforced four months after its promulgation, following approval by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the plenary session.
The special act includes provisions such as ▲applying to land development districts over 1 million square meters that have aged more than 20 years ▲authority of Gyeonggi-do for basic plan approval ▲operation of a general project manager ▲allowance of various forms of public contributions ▲integrated review to shorten administrative procedures ▲establishment of a special account for installation and operation of infrastructure ▲relaxation of floor area ratio and safety inspections ▲formulation of relocation measures, among other contents related to the redevelopment of aging cities.
Earlier, Gyeonggi-do made four proposals to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport regarding the special act this year.
On the 21st of last month, Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi-do personally sent a letter requesting the National Assembly to complete the bill review within this session, saying, "I earnestly ask that the efforts of the political circles, government, local governments, and the hopes of local residents not be wasted due to the expiration of the 21st National Assembly's term."
During the discussion of the special act, issues regarding fairness between aging planned cities and old downtown areas were raised. However, the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee also passed amendments to the "Reconstruction Profit Recovery Act" and the "Urban Redevelopment Act," which will facilitate balanced development and redevelopment between aging planned cities and old downtown areas.
With the enactment of this special act, Gyeonggi-do will have more roles related to the redevelopment of aging planned cities, including authority for basic plan approval and consultation rights for special redevelopment plans.
Lee Gye-sam, Director of the Urban Housing Office of Gyeonggi-do, emphasized, "We hope that the 'Special Act on Aging Planned Cities' will definitely be passed within this year to improve the quality of housing for residents." He added, "We will do our best to ensure that the approval of redevelopment basic plans and designation of special redevelopment zones proceed swiftly and without setbacks in cooperation with the central government and city and county governments, and we will strive further so that aging planned cities and old downtown areas can develop together harmoniously."
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