15 out of 41 Locations Complete Urban Planning, 6 Sites Preparing for Construction Within the Year
Explanation of Commercial Areas Along Arterial Roads and Incentives
Seoul City is accelerating the station area revitalization project by providing incentives such as zoning upgrades for concentrated development within 350 meters of subway stations. The city is encouraging private developers by expanding target sites to commercial areas along main roads and introducing additional floor area ratio (FAR) incentives.
According to Seoul City on the 10th, out of the 41 station area projects currently underway, urban planning has been completed for 15 sites. Construction began in January last year for Mia Station area and in December for Boramae Station area, with completion scheduled for 2026. Six other station area projects, including Gongneung Station, are preparing to start construction within this year.
The station area revitalization project involves upgrading zoning to increase the FAR and receiving 50% of the increased FAR as public contributions for facilities needed in the area, such as offices, commercial spaces, public rental housing, and shared parking lots. For example, a Category 3 General Residential Area has an FAR of 250%, but if upgraded to a Semi-Residential Area, it can receive up to 500% FAR.
Seoul City revised the ordinance on the operation and support of the station area revitalization project in July 2023, addressed issues during the project process, amended the "Station Area Revitalization Project Operation Standards" in August last year, and implemented a second amendment last month.
To facilitate smooth progress and encourage active participation in the station area revitalization project, the city will hold a "Station Area Revitalization Project Briefing Session" at 2 p.m. on the 16th in the Welfare Building of the Seosomun Office. Anyone interested, including project implementers and trust companies, can participate. The briefing will introduce the basic concepts and procedures of the station area revitalization project as well as the latest institutional changes.
Among the recently revised contents, special focus will be given to the expansion of the "main road linear commercial area" and the introduction of additional FAR incentives, which have attracted significant interest.
If a project is promoted in the main road linear commercial area, it can be changed to a single zoning within the general commercial area. When upgraded to a general commercial area, the introduction of mixed-use (installing office facilities or tourism accommodation facilities for more than 50% of the total FAR) is mandatory. Additionally, FAR incentive items to encourage tourism accommodation facilities and eco-friendly buildings have been newly introduced.
The city plans to actively promote the revised requirements for station area revitalization and accelerate project expansion this year. On the day of the briefing, the city will listen to participants' opinions and closely monitor the project progress to explore directions for institutional improvements such as discovering target sites and activating private participation.
Jo Nam-jun, Director of the Urban Space Headquarters of Seoul City, said, "Through this institutional improvement, we expect to utilize the previously stagnant 'linear commercial areas' to lay the foundation for the early realization of the 'Seoul Spatial Transformation,' including the expansion of international business districts and tourism infrastructure." He added, "We will accelerate the project so that station area revitalization can become a stepping stone to strengthening Seoul's global urban competitiveness."
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