Reconstruction of Residential Complexes Over 20 Years Old Begins in Earnest
Concentrated in Suji and Areas like Gugal 1·2, Sinbong, Dongcheon
Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province is set to establish a basic plan for the reconstruction of apartments in aging residential districts such as Suji 1 and 2 districts.
A panoramic view of Suji District, Yongin. Starting next month, Yongin City plans to establish a 'Basic Plan for Aging Planned Cities' to promote the reconstruction of aging residential districts that have been completed for over 20 years. [Photo by Yongin City]
Yongin City announced on the 6th that starting next month, it will begin formulating a basic plan for aging planned cities in large-scale residential districts and prepare the necessary regulations to swiftly lay the foundation for redevelopment projects.
The basic plan for aging planned cities is a plan to establish the basis for redevelopment projects such as reconstruction, in accordance with the "Special Act on the Maintenance and Support of Aging Planned Cities (Aging Planned Cities Act)" which will be enforced from the 27th of next month. The target areas are residential sites over 1 million square meters that have been completed for more than 20 years. However, adjacent residential sites can be combined, and if non-residential areas (such as idle land) account for less than 20% of the total area, sites under 500,000 square meters can be combined.
A representative example is Suji 1 and 2 districts. Suji 1 district, completed in 1994, covers 948,000 square meters, nearly reaching 1 million square meters. The adjacent Suji 2 district, completed in 2002, is also about 947,000 square meters. Besides these two districts, the city considers ▲Dongcheon district (214,000 square meters, completed in 2003) ▲Sinbong district (452,000 square meters, completed in 2004) ▲Gugal 1 district (216,000 square meters, completed in 1992) ▲Gugal 2 district (645,000 square meters, completed in 2001) as targets for the basic plan formulation.
The city plans to start establishing the basic plan as soon as the government’s related policies are finalized. This plan will include setting the spatial scope of aging planned cities, designating special redevelopment zones and pilot districts within the area, relocation measures including relocation complexes and supply plans for temporary housing, as well as plans for improving metropolitan transportation facilities and infrastructure.
Areas designated as special redevelopment zones will be exempted or have eased safety inspections if public contributions and integrated reconstruction are carried out. The floor area ratio will also be relaxed up to 150% of the legal limit.
The city also plans to prepare local regulations in line with the enactment of the Aging Planned Cities Act without delay. The ordinances will stipulate administrative organizations for redevelopment projects, such as the establishment of redevelopment support organizations and local aging planned city redevelopment committees.
In particular, to enhance residents’ understanding of redevelopment projects, the city plans to hold a "Redevelopment Project Academy" in the first half of the year to introduce the procedures of the Aging Planned Cities Act.
Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin City, said, "We will respond promptly to the enactment of the Aging Planned Cities Act and prepare the basic plan," adding, "Through smooth redevelopment projects, Yongin City will become a model future city in the Seoul metropolitan area."
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