Seongdong-gu Wins Grand Prize for Residential Environment Improvement at the 2024 Korea Urban and Regional Innovation Awards

November 13-15, 2024 Korea Urban and Regional Innovation Industry Expo Held; Achievements of Urban Regeneration Projects in Seongsu, Majang, Songjeong, Yongdap Widely Promoted... Seongsu-dong Red Brick Building Preservation and Anti-Gentrification Policies Highly Praised as Representative Urban Regeneration Successes

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Wono) won the Grand Prize (Minister of the Interior and Safety Award) in the housing environment improvement category of the Urban and Regional Innovation Awards with the ‘Seongsu Urban Regeneration Project’ at the ‘2024 Korea Urban and Regional Innovation Industry Expo’.

The ‘2024 Korea Urban and Regional Innovation Industry Expo’ was held for three days from November 13 to 15 in Daegu, where public institutions, companies, and experts from across the country, including Seongdong-gu, gathered to share excellent urban policies and cases and to explore directions for sustainable urban development.

At the expo, Seongdong-gu operated a booth promoting the achievements of urban regeneration projects in Seongsu, Majang, Songjeong, Yongdap, and other areas. At the opening ceremony held on the 13th, the Seongsu Urban Regeneration Project received the Grand Prize in the housing environment improvement category of the Urban and Regional Innovation Awards (Minister of the Interior and Safety Award).

Among them, Seongsu-dong was selected as an urban regeneration site in 2014 and carried out the first phase of the Maejungmul Urban Regeneration Project until 2019, focusing on four themes: workplaces, living spaces, resting places, and community regeneration. Since 2020, the second phase of the self-sustainable Seongsu Urban Regeneration Project has been underway, continuing urban regeneration efforts to coexist with local residents by preserving the historical and cultural value of Seongsu-dong through projects such as the preservation of red brick buildings and policies to prevent gentrification.

Seongsu-dong is regarded as a representative successful case of urban regeneration and is benchmarked by other local governments. Recently, it was ranked 4th among the world’s coolest neighborhoods by the famous British travel and culture magazine ‘Timeout,’ earning recognition as ‘Seongsu in the world.’

Jeong Wono, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, "I am pleased that our efforts for the preservation, regeneration, and coexistence of Seongsu-dong have been recognized through this award," adding, "We will continue to enhance our capabilities for balanced regional development and complete a harmonious Seongdong where workplaces, living spaces, and resting places coexist to create a sustainable city."