Two Years Achieved Together with Residents through Communication and Innovation, Focusing on Livelihoods in the Next Two Years
Achievements in Accelerated Reconstruction and Redevelopment, Expansion of Airport Noise Countermeasure Areas, and Public Infrastructure Enhancement
"We Will Build 'Yangcheon 100-Year Future City' by Communicating Humbly with Residents"
Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced that, marking the halfway point of the 8th term of the elected administration, it has laid the foundation for the "Yangcheon 100-Year Future City Leap" together with its residents over the past two years, and continues to make pleasant changes toward becoming a "city where people want to live and a livable Yangcheon."
Despite difficult internal and external conditions, Mayor Lee Gi-jae has sought answers on-site rather than at the desk, maintaining close communication with residents for the development of Yangcheon and the happiness of its citizens. Various obstacles inherent in the current system were addressed with solutions proposed from the expert perspective of an urban engineer, and with strong driving force, long-standing projects were set in motion.
As a result, long-stalled district projects have entered the main track, including the passing of safety inspections for the Mokdong Apartment reconstruction, zoning upgrades for complexes 1 to 3, and the agreement on extending Line 2’s Sinjeong branch to Gimpo. In addition to these major projects, the district has meticulously managed livelihood policies such as warm housing, food, and clothing support for the vulnerable, creation of leisure and walking spaces, and expansion of smart convenience facilities. The successful hosting of the nationwide "Y Education Expo" also enhanced the city’s brand value.
Reconstruction and Redevelopment on Track, Swift and Active Administrative Support for the Birth of a Future-Oriented High-Tech City
As a residential-centered city, Yangcheon-gu is at a critical turning point to transform its 36-year-old aging urban landscape. Since the 8th term began, previously stalled maintenance projects have been actively progressing in 64 districts, setting sail for the creation of premium residential complexes.
In reconstruction projects, 17 complexes?including 13 in Mokdong Apartments and aging apartments in Sinwol-dong?successfully passed safety inspections. This achievement was made possible by Mayor Lee Gi-jae’s persistent appeals to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seoul City for the retroactive relaxation of safety inspection standards, which was implemented for the first time. This resulted in a cost saving of 4 billion KRW and a reduction of 2 to 3 years in project duration, a win-win effect. Notably, the long-standing issue of zoning upgrades for Mokdong complexes 1 to 3, unresolved for 20 years, was solved by devising a new compromise called the "Mokdong Greenway," fulfilling residents’ long-held wishes.
Redevelopment projects underway in 42 districts, including Moa Town and station area developments, are progressing rapidly with milestones such as the designation and announcement of the Moa Town management area in Sinwol 1 and 3-dong, approval of the association establishment at Sinjeong-dong 1152, and the designation of LH as the public redevelopment project implementer for Sinwol 7-dong District 2. From now on, as speed becomes critical, the district plans to establish a balanced urban design strategy based on active and swift administrative support from the mayor’s direct Urban Development Promotion Team and project departments, aiming to rebirth Yangcheon-gu as a sustainable future city for over 100 years.
Expansion of Public Infrastructure in Preparation for the Future City, a Stepping Stone for Becoming the Southwest Seoul Metropolitan Area’s Central City
Along with the rapid pace of reconstruction and redevelopment, Yangcheon-gu is actively responding to securing public infrastructure that considers future changes such as the rapidly increasing population, achieving concrete results. The Western Truck Terminal urban high-tech logistics complex, which was a top local news item last year due to residents’ strong desire, has begun full-scale development after seven years and is set to transform into a cutting-edge complex combining residential, shopping, and logistics functions. The district will also build the Sinjeong Sports Center equipped with a bowling alley, swimming pool, and indoor tennis courts in the public contribution space.
In line with the Mokdong maintenance project, the district proposed the integrated development of the aging and underutilized 250,000㎡ area around Mokdong Sports Complex and Retention Basin, and is currently conducting a basic plan study with Seoul City. Once the study is completed and development proceeds, this area is expected to become a new growth and innovation axis representing southwest Seoul.
Transportation infrastructure, which plays a decisive role in regional growth and citizens’ quality of life, is also accelerating. In March, the district signed a business agreement with Gimpo City for the establishment of Sinwol Sageori Station and the relocation of Sinjeong Vehicle Depot as part of the Seoul Line 2 Sinjeong branch extension to Gimpo, laying the groundwork for railway network expansion and urban development. The district plans to continuously negotiate with Seoul City and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to ensure this project is included in the 5th Metropolitan Area Wide-Area Transportation Implementation Plan. Furthermore, the recent confirmation of the "Metropolitan Railroad Daejang-Hongdae Line construction within the year" by the Ministry of Land has given momentum to the establishment of the first subway station in Sinwol-dong.
Aging community centers will be newly reconstructed to meet changing times and residents’ needs, improving convenience and administrative efficiency. The Sinwol 7-dong Community Center relocated to a complex building with a daycare center and senior welfare center after 34 years, and four other centers in Mok 1-dong, Sinwol 1 and 2-dong, and Sinjeong 2-dong have secured sites and are planning construction.
Expansion of Airport Noise Countermeasure Areas, Establishment of Comprehensive Airport Noise Support Center... Implementation of Practical Compensation Measures
Since 51.3% of all households in the Gimpo Airport noise countermeasure area are Yangcheon residents, the district has focused on expanding practical support for airport noise, achieving results from multiple angles. First, by promptly responding to the Ministry of Land’s "Airport Noise Impact Survey," the district prevented the reduction of about 3,000 households in the noise countermeasure area and instead increased the number by approximately 450 households.
Above all, based on the principle of "Let’s take care of our residents’ damages ourselves," independent of government improvement demands, the district devised innovative self-help measures including the establishment of a district-operated Comprehensive Airport Noise Support Center, support for precise hearing tests and hearing aid purchases, counseling services for stress relief, the nation’s first independent airport noise monitoring system, and the metropolitan area’s first Gimpo Airport usage fee support. These unprecedented policies have been implemented.
Especially, the "nation’s first property tax reduction by a basic local government" was made possible by Mayor Lee Gi-jae’s bold decision amid difficult circumstances, providing the maximum possible tax relief by the district and benefiting about 22,000 households. The district plans to continue negotiating with the government to implement compensation measures that residents can feel, such as reducing late-night flight hours by one hour, increasing electricity bill support reflecting real prices, and converting cash support for air conditioner installation.
Expansion of Future-Oriented Educational Environment and Lifelong Learning Infrastructure, Branding as Korea’s Representative Education City through the Y Education Expo
Yangcheon-gu’s greatest competitive edge is undoubtedly education. The district is strengthening administrative support across the entire education spectrum?from academic advancement and career guidance to global future education and lifelong learning?to rise from a private education-centered city to a truly representative happy education city in Korea. First, the "Yangcheon Education Support Center" was established to provide one-stop services for learning, academic advancement, and career guidance, strengthening out-of-school public education through personalized 1:1 counseling and learning consulting for self-directed learning.
To enable children and youth to experience cutting-edge future education such as AI and robotics anywhere in the region, "Regional Future Education Centers" have been established, and the number of admission information sessions has been greatly expanded to 20 times a year to provide timely customized entrance exam information.
Aiming to become a residential education city where lifelong learning is possible, the district is continuously expanding lifelong education infrastructure, including building an integrated lifelong learning portal system that gathers 1,450 courses from 56 institutions and establishing the Sinwol Lifelong Learning Center.
Especially, the nationwide differentiated "Y Education Expo," first held last year by a basic local government to enhance the brand value of education city Yangcheon, has grown into Korea’s representative education expo with 53,000 visitors this year. The district plans to solidify the event’s content annually and nurture it as a platform indicating the direction of Korea’s future education.
The First Step to a Happy Life! A Vibrant City Where Healthy and Safe Daily Life Is Fundamental
Building infrastructure that allows all residents to enjoy a healthy and safe life in their daily lives is another notable achievement. Omok Park and Anyangcheon Family Garden have been renovated and established as premium urban outing spaces, with Onsu Park and Sintree Park scheduled for maintenance by the end of the year. The district operates seven dog rest areas, supports about 9,400 services including pet plant care, education, and distribution, and hosts pet culture festivals, leading the spread of a healthy pet culture. In response to the explosive demand for barefoot walking, a total of 3.86 km of barefoot dirt paths will be created by 2025.
Especially for children, following the opening of the water play area at Anyangcheon Family Garden last year, this year a large pool and air slide will be installed at Seoseoul Lake Park in Sinwol-dong, and 13 aging children’s parks will be refurbished into themed playgrounds. New facilities such as the "Mokdonggyo Multi-Sports Zone" and the "Anyangcheon Sinmokdong Station Waterfront Vitality Big Deck" will also be established for youth.
To promote community sports with direct resident participation, the Yangcheon Marathon was resumed after eight years and expanded along the Han River this year, attracting about 4,500 participants. Future projects such as replacing the artificial turf at Haenuri Sports Park and installing a roof at Mokdong Tennis Courts will further boost community sports promotion. Additionally, to enhance cultural and artistic opportunities, the district held the first-ever rock festival in Sinwol-dong and plans to establish the "Sinwol Hub Cultural and Artistic Space" by year-end to eliminate cultural blind spots.
Moreover, the district is committed to creating a city where safety and convenience are ensured through digital technology. Seoul’s largest U-Yangcheon Integrated Control Center operates 90% of its 4,300 CCTV cameras as intelligent units, enhancing both scale and performance. Recently, the Anyangcheon Flood Control Information System was newly established to allow real-time, easy monitoring of Anyangcheon’s control status, actively responding to flood disasters. Other initiatives such as smart security lighting for safe return paths, installation of Bus Information Terminals (BIT) at all bus stops, and free expansion of 300 RFID food waste weighing devices are also being implemented without delay.
Particular efforts are being made to create safe routes for children going to and from school. This includes maintenance of aging security light poles around schools, installation of speed cameras, ground-level pedestrian signals, and audible pedestrian signal devices, and deployment of traffic safety instructors to accompany children on their routes at 14 elementary schools vulnerable to traffic safety issues.
A Warm City Together, Pleasant Changes in Yangcheon Felt by Residents Begin
The district is creating a "warm city Yangcheon" by providing customized welfare services reflecting diverse needs by age and social class, embracing vulnerable groups. This year, it has focused on enhancing resident welfare and building a dense welfare safety net by intensively promoting the proven effective, life-close "Warm Clothing, Food, and Housing Level Up Service," especially for socially vulnerable groups who suffer more during difficult times.
The "Safe Residential Environment Improvement Project" for seniors, reflecting high satisfaction, has doubled its target this year to support 600 people and expanded replacement of old items and facility renovations to private senior centers with poor conditions. Additionally, the abolition of age and duplication restrictions on veterans’ honor allowances has tripled the number of beneficiaries, greatly improving welfare for national veterans.
Policies guaranteeing broader rights for persons with disabilities and enabling them to live happy lives without discrimination in the community have also been implemented. The opening of the dedicated rest area "Maeumssi Center" for the visually impaired and the relocation of the Disabled Persons’ Association office have greatly improved accessibility and convenience. To strengthen independence and relieve care burdens for persons with disabilities, the district has expanded disability activity support services through additional budget allocation and is considering creating additional facilities to address aging and insufficient disability infrastructure.
Furthermore, to help young people who will lead Yangcheon develop their capabilities, the district established the "Unemployed Youth National Qualification Exam Fee Support Project" last year, supporting about 1,400 people, and this year expanded the supported categories to about 900 due to high demand. The district’s transport bus for reservist training, first implemented in Seoul, has become a model case for improving reservists’ mobility and is being expanded nationwide, earning the district the nation’s first "Integrated Defense Merit Presidential Award." Going forward, the district plans to strengthen practical support measures for youth, including housing policies linked to marriage promotion.
To proactively respond to the low birthrate environment, the district has implemented policies strengthening the public nature of childbirth and childcare, such as the nation’s first support for premature infants’ respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination costs by a local government and Seoul’s first year-round and nighttime specialized "Yangcheon-Style Overnight Emergency Childcare Center," establishing itself as a child-friendly city.
Completion of the Future Yangcheon 100-Year Master Plan and Focus on Residents’ Happiness in Daily Life
Mayor Lee said, "After running tirelessly with residents for Yangcheon’s development over the past two years, we have established the major framework of the transformed future city. Now, we will add details and imbue Yangcheon with a differentiated urban identity." He added, "In the remaining two years, we will complete the tasks laid out without fail and focus on livelihood policies that address residents’ needs in every corner, realizing a dream city where everyone wants to live and all can live well."
Finally, he emphasized, "There are still many challenges to solve and achievements to accomplish, so in the second half, we will continue to open a new path for Yangcheon’s next 100 years with continuous innovation without losing our initial resolve."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
