[Interview] Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, "Restoring the Prestige of High-End Residential Area with the 2040 Gwangjin Re-Creation Plan"

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Four Specialized Zones: Medical Specialization, Youth Knowledge Culture, Historical Cultural Arts, and Advanced Business Complex Strategies

"The urban planning of Gwangjin-gu, which had seen little change over the past few decades, is gradually evolving. While the buildings in Seongdong-gu and Gangdong-gu have been rising, we have quietly watched. Now, it is our turn. We will devote all our efforts to ensure that respectable apartments can be built in the Junggok-dong area, reflecting the aspirations of the residents who long for urban development."

Kim Kyung-ho, the mayor of Gwangjin-gu, presented this vision for urban development at the '2040 Gwangjin Re-Creation Plan Resident Briefing Session.'

Mayor Kim is an administrative expert. Having passed the civil service exam, he has served as the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Transportation Headquarters, Director of Welfare and Health, Secretary General of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, and President of the Seoul Agricultural and Marine Products Corporation, demonstrating his capabilities and earning recognition. Since taking office as the mayor of Gwangjin-gu in the 8th elected term, he has served as a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Urban Planning Committee and has shown a special passion for urban development in Gwangjin-gu. He is especially committed to leading the urban development of the underdeveloped Junggok-dong area and realizing balanced urban development throughout the district.

Originally, Gwangjin-gu was developed as a national housing complex about 40 years ago, with good foundational conditions. However, the urban environment has aged, and residents strongly desire 'development.' Mayor Kim began reorganizing the previously somewhat passive urban planning since the 8th elected term. He has led groundbreaking changes in the urban planning map of Gwangjin-gu, including expanding commercial areas (from 23rd to 19th in Seoul) and increasing redevelopment-eligible areas by 90 times (2.71 million ㎡). Ultimately, he established and announced the basic concept of urban planning, the '2040 Gwangjin Re-Creation Plan.'

The '2040 Gwangjin Re-Creation Plan' focuses on resolving the urban imbalance between the north and south of the district and strengthening central functions. It aims to renovate low-rise residential areas into premium residential zones and create attractive leisure spaces through specialized strategies utilizing local resources such as Achasan Mountain, the Han River, and universities. Additionally, by attracting advanced industries and job-creating companies, the plan envisions a city where work, residence, and leisure harmoniously coexist. To this end, the district has expanded and reorganized into four major zones and four major axes centered on the urban development axis, seeking tailored measures for each zone.

First, the Junggok Zone will be developed into a medical-specialized hub centered on a comprehensive medical complex and the redevelopment of the Hwayang Substation site. It will be transformed into 'Jump Junggok,' a leap-forward area by creating a medical and energy-specialized district, advancing industrial structure, and establishing premium residential areas.

The Hwayang-Gunja Zone will leverage abundant human and intellectual resources centered around universities to become a youth knowledge and cultural hub. Including the development of the Hwayang Elementary School site and Hanareum Market, and in connection with Children's Grand Park and nearby universities, it will be nurtured as a youth startup and complex cultural center, aiming to become one of Seoul's top three youth downtowns.

The Guui-Gwangjang Zone will be reborn as a historical, cultural, and artistic hub. The Dong Seoul Terminal, a transportation center, will be modernized, and the district unit plan around Gwangnaru Station will be reorganized to transform the area into a waterfront emotional city.

The Jayang Zone will be developed as an advanced business complex hub. Leading with the advanced business complex, integrated government office building, and redevelopment of the current Gwangjin-gu Office site, it will strengthen the 4th industrial base around Guui Station and create the 'Gwangjin Great Han River' through strategic development along the Han River.

The four major development axes have also been outlined. ▲ The Advanced Industry Axis (Achasan-ro) connecting Konkuk University Station, Guui Station, and Gangbyeon Station ▲ The Innovation Growth Axis (Dongil-ro, Neungdong-ro) linking Konkuk University Station, Gunja Station, and Junggok Station ▲ The Industrial Support Axis (Cheonho-daero) connecting Gunja Station and Gwangnaru Station ▲ The Creative Culture Axis (Jayang-ro, Yongmasan-ro) linking Guui Station, Achasan Station, and Junggok Station. Centered on these axes, the plan aims to strengthen functions around station areas to ensure balanced development from the Han River to Junggok-dong without neglecting any area, realizing a 10-minute city.

Kim Kyung-ho, mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, "The potential for urban development in Gwangjin is limitless. By realizing specialized development in the four major axes and four major zones, we will secure new growth engines and create future opportunities. We will do our best to restore past glory and make Gwangjin a pleasant and happy place to live. I hope residents will continue to teach us more and support us until the end so that Gwangjin-gu can be a place where people live happily, play joyfully, and work comfortably."