Mapo-gu Promotes Revitalization of 11 Major Commercial Areas Including Hongdae Red Road and Sky Path

Promotion of RE-VISIT Commercial District Establishment Linking Tourist Resources, Local Businesses, and Merchant Organizations
Fair Trade Consultation Center for Commercial Rent, Various Policies from Small Business Financial Support to Mapo Circular Train Bus

Mapo-gu, Seoul Metropolitan City (District Mayor Park Gang-su, hereinafter referred to as ‘the district’) has selected the ‘11 Major Commercial Districts of Mapo’ and is promoting commercial district revitalization policies that reflect the characteristics of each area.

This project is carried out in a customized manner for each commercial district to revitalize local commercial areas where consumption has contracted due to the economic downturn.

The 11 major commercial districts of Mapo include four Gap districts: Ahyeon Market, Dohwa Flower Road, Yonggang Matgil, and Yeomni Daeheung Forest Road; and seven Eul districts: Red Road, Sky Road, Sangam Matgil, Yeonnam Kkirikkiri Road, Mangwon World Cup Market & Bangulnae Road, Mangwon Market & Mangridan-gil, and Seongsan Culture Road.

The district plans to gradually establish a ‘RE-VISIT Commercial District’ that organically links tourism resources, local commercial districts, and merchant organizations by reflecting the unique features of the 11 major commercial districts, aiming to create a sustainable commercial ecosystem.

To strengthen commercial district competitiveness, the district will develop brands and content suitable for each commercial district and add vitality by holding various festivals that can express the individuality of the commercial districts, such as the Red Road Festival, Sky Road Festa, and Alley Commercial District Boom Festival.

Mapo-gu Promotes Revitalization of 11 Major Commercial Areas Including Hongdae Red Road and Sky Path

Ahyeon Market with a neatly maintained floor

Additionally, to ensure sustainable growth, the district is focusing on strengthening merchant capabilities through consulting and educational support and building networks among commercial districts.

To this end, the district is promoting infrastructure policies such as market modernization projects, operation of the Mapo Circular Train Bus, and parking environment improvements, centered on seven departments including the Economic Promotion Division, Tourism Policy Division, and Road Improvement Division.

Furthermore, to prevent gentrification and protect tenant rights, the district is sparing no effort in providing various policy supports such as the Fair Trade Consultation Center for Commercial Rent and special guarantees for small business financial support.

These efforts by the district are gradually yielding results. According to data compiled by the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of foreign visitors to Seogyo-dong in the Red Road commercial district was only 30,000 in March 2023 but increased about fourfold to 130,000 in November.

Also, according to a survey by the Shinhan Card Big Data Research Institute, the Hongdae commercial district in Mapo-gu was selected as the dining area most frequently visited by people in their 20s on weekends, and the Sky Road commercial district achieved a sales increase of more than 10% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the previous quarter.

The district plans to operate the ‘Mapo Circular Train Bus’ connecting the 11 major commercial districts of Mapo and major tourist attractions to actively promote commercial district revitalization.

In addition, a mobile app that can revitalize alley commercial districts is also under development. This app is designed to provide information on commercial facilities and major tourist sites within the area and includes a walking navigation function so that even small alleyway shops can benefit from commercial district revitalization.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “We will enhance the competitiveness of commercial districts through various customized support policies and programs,” adding, “We will further highlight the individuality and charm of the 11 major commercial districts of Mapo and build a sustainable commercial ecosystem.”