"Yeongdeungpo to Become the Hub of Future 4th Industrial Revolution"
Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, expressed its welcome on the 11th regarding the passage of the "Special Act on Undergrounding Railroads and Integrated Development of Railroad Sites" (hereinafter referred to as the Railroad Undergrounding Special Act) at the National Assembly plenary session on the 9th.
The Gyeongbu Line railroad has divided Yeongdeungpo north and south, causing a long-standing separation for over 120 years. Residents have also endured many inconveniences such as noise, vibration, and development restrictions, and it remains the biggest obstacle to regional development.
With the passage of this bill, the 3.4 km section of railroad passing through from Daebang Station to Sindorim Station will be moved underground, providing an opportunity for Yeongdeungpo-gu to be unified as one. The Railroad Undergrounding Special Act includes specific details such as the entities responsible for the comprehensive plan and route-specific basic plans, methods of funding, and measures to enhance project feasibility.
Yeongdeungpo-gu stated, "In preparation for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to establish a comprehensive plan and to actively review the commercialization of each route, we have allocated 350 million KRW in this year's budget for a service to establish a comprehensive development master plan for the Gyeongbu Line area." They added, "We will promptly prepare a future blueprint reflecting the opinions of experts and residents so that the wishes of Yeongdeungpo residents can be proactively presented and incorporated into the plan before the government and Seoul City formulate specific plans."
The core of the Gyeongbu Line railroad undergrounding project is to develop the space above the removed tracks and its surrounding areas. The district plans to prepare a master plan reflecting residents' intentions by referring to cases such as Cheonggyecheon. They expressed high expectations for the development of the railroad site, saying that utilization plans could be endless, including startup spaces for young people, attraction of advanced jobs related to the 4th industrial revolution, cultural and relaxation spaces befitting the status of a cultural city, and large-scale green spaces within the urban area.
Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, "If regulations on semi-industrial areas, which account for 20% of the district's area, are eased and linked with the relocation of the Mullae-dong machinery and metal complex, it will transform completely with a synergy effect into a 'young Yeongdeungpo'." He added, "Yeongdeungpo, which led the miracle of the Han River during the industrialization era, now hopes that residents will join forces so that it can be reborn as the 'center of the future 4th industrial revolution'."
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