Miadong Hill Area to Become Large Apartment Complex with Up to 25 Floors

Redevelopment of Mia-dong Area Confirmed by Sintong Plan
Height Plan Changed from Maximum 9 Floors to Average 15 Floors
First Case Applying Relaxed Height District Regulations

For the first time, a blueprint has emerged for the development of residential areas around Bukhansan, where development had been difficult due to height restriction zones. The hilly area of Mia-dong in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, will be reborn as a large apartment complex with up to 25 floors and approximately 2,500 households. This is the first case in Seoul where height restriction zone regulations have been eased.

On the 3rd, Seoul City announced that it had finalized the rapid integrated planning for the redevelopment project in the area of 791-2882 Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu.

The area around 791-2882 Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, where altitude district regulations were eased for the first time in Seoul. (Provided by Seoul City)

This new integrated plan applies the contents of the 'Bukhansan Surrounding Height Restriction Zone Urban Management Plan,' which was officially announced last month, as a pilot. Previously, in June last year, Seoul City announced the 'New Height Restriction Zone Concept,' focusing on easing height limits, and on the 27th of last month, it finalized and announced the amendment to the height restriction zone urban management plan.

The target area is the first case where height regulations have been relaxed to protect the Bukhansan landscape while enhancing the feasibility of the project. The area had limitations for redevelopment due to the topographical conditions, with an elevation difference of up to 57 meters under the Bukhansan surrounding height restriction zone. Although it is a double station area with Samyang Sageori Station and Solsaem Station on the Ui-Sinseol Line, unlike the nearby Mia New Town and other high-rise apartments around 25 floors, it was restricted to a height limit of 28 meters (9 floors), making development difficult. This caused a strong sense of relative deprivation among residents.

However, with the confirmation of this new integrated plan, the area is expected to be reborn as a large complex with up to 25 floors and about 2,500 households.

According to the plan, the site’s height and landscape plan were established considering the location characteristics of protecting the Bukhansan landscape while being a double station area. Two sightline corridors leading to Bukhansan will be secured, with an average height of 15 floors (45 meters). The areas adjacent to Bukhansan will be mid-to-low-rise (10 to 15 floors), and the areas near the stations will be planned for up to 25 floors. The floor area ratio will be applied at around 240%, up from the existing 164%. However, Seoul City made it clear that the fundamental principle of protecting the Bukhansan landscape must be maintained through a three-dimensional landscape plan.

Additionally, to overcome the topographical difference of 57 meters, residential types suitable for hilly areas, such as terrace houses, will be introduced. Convenience facilities for residents, commercial spaces, and deck parking lots will be placed where the topographical difference occurs to actively utilize the slopes. The expanded outdoor spaces created by the flexible height plan will be landscaped and used as communal spaces for residents, including a central courtyard, exercise facilities, and community gardens. Safe pedestrian paths will be created on steep slopes, and a connecting road linking Insu-bong-ro to Samyang-ro will be opened to improve traffic.

Considering the area's demographic characteristic of a high elderly population, the introduction of cultural welfare facilities such as a silver care center is also being considered. The city has coordinated development and road plans in connection with nearby development projects such as Mia 7 District and Samyang District unit plans adjacent to the target site.

With the confirmation of the new integrated plan, it is expected that the maintenance plan will be decided as early as the end of this year after resident inspection notices and integrated reviews by the Urban Planning Committee. Cho Nam-jun, Director of the Urban Space Headquarters, said, "A wind of change has begun in areas that had suffered property disadvantages and missed opportunities for residential environment improvement due to excessively rigid height restriction zone regulations," adding, "The significance lies in finding a feasible alternative through flexible urban regulation application while maintaining the value of landscape protection."