May 5th 'Comprehensive Transportation System Improvement and Management Plan Establishment Project' Kick-off Meeting Held
Joint Participation by Smart Mobility, Dongsung Engineering, and Seoul National University of Science and Technology Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
Proactive Search for Solutions by Analyzing Expected Issues from Large-scale Development Projects
Yongsan-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Park Hee-young) held a kickoff meeting on the 5th for the "Comprehensive Transportation System Improvement and Management Plan Establishment Project."
This is to proactively prepare systematic transportation system improvement measures and management plans reflecting the ongoing development plans throughout Yongsan.
Experts in urban planning emphasize that the key factor determining the success or failure of Yongsan's future development is "transportation." The Gyeongbu Line railway runs north-south across the entire Yongsan area, causing severe east-west disconnection, and due to the influence of the U.S. military base, all transportation axes in Yongsan have been distorted and twisted. Despite Yongsan's optimal location as the "center" of Seoul, a transportation network resembling a disconnected island has been formed.
Currently, Yongsan-gu is at the center of large-scale development projects including the creation of Yongsan Park, the International Business District, Yongsan Meta Valley, and the establishment of the National Symbolic Boulevard. Development projects such as the Hannam 3 District, which began relocation last October, and the Hannam Redevelopment Promotion Project are also being actively pursued.
These large-scale development projects are expected to significantly impact the urban spatial structure, particularly by causing population growth and commercial area expansion, thereby generating transportation demand. If the increasing traffic volume is not systematically managed, traffic conditions will inevitably worsen. In the long term, this will reduce regional accessibility and hinder the spatial development of the city.
However, the various development projects currently underway throughout Yongsan are being implemented by different entities including central government ministries, Seoul City, Yongsan-gu, and private sectors, with varying progress statuses. Additionally, individual projects only consider the traffic impact on nearby areas, lacking comprehensive review and analysis of traffic impacts reflecting macro traffic flows and regional conditions.
Recognizing these issues and seeking proactive solutions, the district signed the "Comprehensive Transportation System Improvement and Management Plan Establishment Project" contract on the 6th of last month and held a kickoff meeting with an advisory committee composed of experts on the 5th.
This project involves joint participation by Smart Mobility Co., Ltd., Dongsung Engineering Co., Ltd., and the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of the University of Seoul, targeting the entire Yongsan-gu area and adjacent districts within the indirect influence zone to establish a comprehensive transportation plan responding to changes in spatial structure.
In particular, the project will meticulously analyze current and potential future transportation environmental issues from various perspectives, focusing on ▲reviewing transportation plans related to the International Business District development ▲expansion plans for transportation facilities due to Yongsan Park development ▲countermeasures for the establishment of the National Symbolic Boulevard ▲work promotion system and procedures for the expansion of Noksapyeong-daero ▲establishment of transportation axes for spatial linkage between east and west areas ▲transportation improvement measures that can respond to multiple development plans from a mid- to long-term perspective ▲and measures to resolve the disconnection of the Dongjak-daero transportation network.
The meeting was attended by an advisory group of experts from various fields such as urban planning, transportation, and roads, along with an administrative support task force to ensure project feasibility. They listened to presentations from the contractors on the current traffic conditions, development status, and project execution plans, followed by a communication session.
Based on the results of this one-year project, the district plans to establish efficient comprehensive transportation system improvement measures and actively consult with central government ministries, Seoul City, and private sectors to reflect these in the transportation plans of various local development projects. The district also intends to promote planned urban development considering road transportation networks connecting the inner and outer city areas.
Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "As large-scale development projects proceed, traffic congestion problems are expected to worsen, which is a major concern. I ask for active discussions to establish an effective transportation system from a macro perspective that encompasses various development projects promoted by the central government, Seoul City, and private sectors."
Meanwhile, before the project commencement, the district formed an expert advisory group to secure the direction and expertise of the project through prior consultation. The advisory group consists of six members: ▲Prof. Kang Myung-gu from the University of Seoul and Prof. Yoo Sang-kyun from Daejin University in the field of 'urban planning,' ▲Yoon Hyuk-ryeol, Vice President of Seoul Institute, Seo Yoon-chan, Executive Director of Suseong Engineering Co., Ltd., and Jin Hwan Kim, CEO of Jinseong in the field of 'transportation,' and ▲No Hee-chan, Executive Director of Dohwa Engineering in the field of 'roads.'
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