District Mayor Jeong Munheon: "Residents' Long-Standing Requests Resolved, Full-Scale Low-Rise Residential Area Redevelopment Underway"
Partial Amendment Ordinance Proposed by City Councilor Yoon Jongbok Passed, Including Increased Building Coverage Ratio and Height Adjustments
Jongno-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jeong Munheon) announced on the 13th that the relaxation of building restrictions in the Natural Scenic District has made it possible to actively begin the redevelopment of aging low-rise residential areas within the district.
According to the district, on the 11th, the partial amendment to the "Seoul Metropolitan City Urban Planning Ordinance," reflecting the long-standing wishes of Jongno residents, passed the Seoul Metropolitan Council plenary session, easing standards such as building coverage ratio, building height, and landscaping area in the Natural Scenic District.
Following the ordinance amendment, the building coverage ratio in the Natural Scenic District was relaxed from the previous 30% or less to 40% or less; building height from 3 floors or less and 12 meters or less to 4 floors or less and 16 meters or less; and landscaping area from 30% or less to 20% or less.
In particular, for maintenance zones designated for residential environment improvement projects, the height standard was relaxed from the previous 4 floors or less and 16 meters or less to 20 meters or less. Special building zones under the Building Act also saw the height limit eased from 4 floors or less and 16 meters or less to 20 meters or less.
For redevelopment or reconstruction project zones under the Urban Maintenance Act and maintenance projects under the Small-scale Housing Maintenance Act where floor area ratio relaxation is possible, the height limit was relaxed from the previous 5 floors or less and 20 meters or less to 24 meters or less.
The partial amendment ordinance, primarily proposed by Seoul Metropolitan Council member Yoon Jongbok, is the result of efforts made in consultation with Seoul City based on a reasonable relaxation plan prepared through an accurate diagnosis of the Natural Scenic District and collection of residents' opinions by Jongno-gu and Council member Yoon.
The area of the Natural Scenic District within Jongno-gu is 2.99㎢, accounting for 23.9% of the total Natural Scenic District area in Seoul and 12.5% of the total area of Jongno-gu.
The Natural Scenic District has been designated since 1941 as a scenic district to protect or preserve mountainous and hilly areas and continues to this day. While it functions positively by protecting excellent natural environments such as Bukhansan Mountain, it has also caused problems such as the aging of buildings due to excessive building restrictions, lack of maintenance infrastructure, and infringement on residents' property rights.
In response, Jongno-gu initiated the "Jongno-gu Zoning Regulation Relaxation Plan Establishment Project" in June 2023 to inspect unreasonable building regulations within zoning districts (Natural Scenic District, Height District) and proactively review the possibility of relaxation.
District Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, "Following the relaxation of height management standards in the Height District on June 27, the recent easing of building restrictions in the Natural Scenic District has made it possible to realize residents' wishes for improving poor residential environments. We will actively promote the redevelopment of aging low-rise residential areas to provide a pleasant living environment and also support the strengthening of property rights."
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