Old Changsin 9·10 Districts Selected as New Urban Planning Sites
Developed as a Residential Complex in Gangbuk Combining History and Scenery
Approximately 2,500 Households at Changsin-dong 23-606 and Around 1,900 Households at Changsin-dong 29
The Changsin-dong area, a representative underdeveloped district in Seoul and the first site for urban regeneration projects, is being transformed into a residential complex with 6,400 households through the New Rapid Integrated Planning (SinTong Planning). The SinTong Planning has been confirmed for the old Changsin 9 and 10 districts, which are near the Changsin and Sungin-dong areas where the maintenance zone designation has already been completed.
On the 13th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the areas of Changsin-dong 23-606 (old Changsin 9 district) and 629 (old Changsin 10 district) have been confirmed as new target sites for the New Rapid Integrated Planning. Including the previously designated maintenance zones of Changsin-dong 23-2 and Sungin-dong 56-4, a total of four sites covering an area of 340,000 square meters will be developed in an integrated manner.
The areas of Changsin-dong 23-2 and Sungin-dong 56-4 had their SinTong Planning confirmed in July last year and recently completed the maintenance zone designation. In August, a maintenance plan was established to build up to 28-story buildings with 1,038 households in Changsin-dong 23-2 and up to 26-story buildings with 974 households in Sungin-dong 56-4.
The Changsin-dong area had its redevelopment promotion project initiated in 2007 but was canceled in 2013, leading to preservation-focused urban regeneration. Although it was designated as a leading urban regeneration area in 2014 to improve the aging residential environment, physical improvements such as housing supply and infrastructure were insufficient.
Integrated layout map of Changsin-dong 23-606 (former Changsin 9 District) and 629 (former Changsin 10 District). Provided by Seoul City
The two sites confirmed for SinTong Planning (Changsin-dong 23-606 and 629) are located on steep hills with narrow roads and about 95% of the buildings are old, making the environment poor. The project area is also near national heritage sites such as Hanyangdoseong (Seoul City Wall) and Heunginjimun Gate, which impose many development restrictions including angle regulations.
Seoul plans to develop the Changsin-dong area into a representative residential complex in northern Seoul through the New Rapid Integrated Planning. The plan is to preserve historical and scenic values while enhancing transportation convenience such as subway access to create a pleasant urban residential complex. The Changsin-dong 23-606 area will be transformed into an apartment complex with around 2,500 households, and the Changsin-dong 629 area into one with about 1,900 households.
The development directions include △ strengthening regional connectivity and improving traffic conditions through traffic system reorganization △ establishing pedestrian routes that overcome slopes and connect with surrounding areas △ improving project conditions with flexible plans that overcome restrictions such as hills and Hanyangdoseong △ creating an open urban landscape with height plans considering Naksan and Hanyangdoseong.
The width of Changsin-gil, which runs north-south through the target area, will be expanded to improve access to Jongno in the south and Naksan-gil in the north. To disperse traffic that could concentrate on Jongno, an east-west connecting road linking Jibong-ro in the east and Yulgok-ro in the west will also be expanded.
The pedestrian environment, which was inconvenient and disconnected due to steep slopes, will also be improved. An approximately 900-meter-long east-west elevated pedestrian walkway will be installed, connecting Hanyangdoseong (west side), the target sites (Changsin 23-606, 629), Chaeseokjang Observatory (Changsin 23-2), passing through Changsin Station (Jibong-ro), and reaching Sungin Neighborhood Park (east side). Pedestrian bridges and elevators will be connected to ensure smooth walking and communication.
To overcome regional constraints such as hills and Hanyangdoseong, a flexible development plan will be established. Public facilities such as the senior welfare center and community center, which were difficult to access because they were located on the upper part of the hills, will be relocated to lower areas such as Changsin-gil and the back streets of Jongno. A small plaza combining a park, library, and public parking lot, as well as public office facilities like the community center and police substation, will be integrated to enhance convenience for residents.
By utilizing the terrain differences and slopes around Hanyangdoseong, terrace houses, pilotis, and arcade-type commercial buildings will be applied, while overcoming restrictions such as angle regulations and improving project conditions. To harmonize with historical sites like Hanyangdoseong and Naksan and the natural environment, flexible height plans will be established by area to create diverse landscapes. The overall height will be limited to below Naksan (125 meters), with mid- to low-rise buildings along Hanyangdoseong and the Naksan ridge, and high-rise buildings along Jongno and Changsin-gil.
With the confirmation of this SinTong Planning, Seoul plans to support the rapid establishment of maintenance plans. The simplified SinTong Planning procedures, including review by the Urban Planning Committee’s delegated subcommittee and integrated review of the project implementation plan, are expected to significantly shorten the project period.
Jo Nam-jun, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Urban Space Headquarters, said, "Despite the significant development restrictions in the Changsin-dong area, this project was promoted with the cooperation of residents and the public to achieve the original purpose of the New Rapid Integrated Planning, which is the maintenance of aging residential areas. We will develop the four areas of Changsin-dong and Sungin-dong into representative urban residential areas that enjoy the history and culture of Hanyangdoseong, the scenery of Naksan, and the convenience of the city center, providing citizens with high-quality housing in a stable manner and revitalizing the housing market."
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