Gwangju City Council to Gather Opinions on 'Urban Planning Ordinance'

Policy Debate with Gwangju City and Experts Held on the 14th
Relaxation of Mandatory Non-Residential Ratio in Commercial Mixed-Use Complexes
Key Issues Including Floor Area Ratio Increase in Semi-Residential Areas

The Industry and Construction Committee of Gwangju City Council announced on the 12th that it will hold a "Policy Debate to Gather Citizens' Opinions on the Amendment of the Urban Planning Ordinance" at 2 p.m. on the 14th in the Budget and Accounts Committee meeting room on the 5th floor of the council building.

Last month, Gwangju City issued a legislative notice for the "Gwangju City Urban Planning Ordinance Amendment," which lowers the mandatory non-residential ratio of mixed-use residential-commercial facilities in commercial areas from 15% to 10%.

Councilor Shim Cheol-ui proposed an ordinance that includes easing the non-residential use ratio in residential mixed-use buildings within commercial areas, as well as increasing the floor area ratio for apartment complexes, residential mixed-use buildings, and officetels in quasi-residential areas.

The city council plans to carefully review the related contents through the debate since the ordinance significantly affects citizens' property rights and the city's future, and to listen to diverse opinions from citizens.

At the debate, Kim Jun-young, Director of Gwangju City Urban Space Bureau, and Councilor Shim Cheol-ui will each present on the ordinance proposal. Following this, six discussants including academics, urban planning, and architectural experts will participate in the discussion.

Park Pil-soon, Chairperson of the Industry and Construction Committee of Gwangju City Council, said, "This debate is to listen to various opinions from experts and all walks of life for an in-depth review of the ordinance and to prepare an efficient amendment." He added, "We hope many citizens will take interest in this debate and provide valuable opinions."