Incheon City to Promote Urban Regeneration of 58,000㎡ near Jakjeon Station Area... Applies as National Pilot District Candidate

Incheon City is promoting an urban regeneration project for the area around Jakjeon Station on Incheon Subway Line 1 to lay the foundation for revitalizing the old downtown area.

On the 5th, the city announced that it applied to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for the area around 876 Jakjeon-dong, Gyeyang-gu, covering approximately 58,000㎡, as a candidate site for the Urban Regeneration Innovation District (National Pilot District). The Ministry plans to announce the candidate selection results this month and start the national pilot district planning project next year.

Jakjeon Station is evaluated as having excellent accessibility to Seoul via Incheon Line 1 and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Additionally, the inclusion of the Metropolitan Area Express Railway (GTX) D and E lines is planned, which is expected to further improve transportation conditions. Utilizing this location, three redevelopment and reconstruction projects are underway in the Jakjeon Station area, signaling new changes in the old downtown.

Aerial view of the Jakjeon Station area urban regeneration innovation district. Provided by Incheon City

The city plans to promote high-density and mixed-use development if the Jakjeon Station area is designated as an Urban Regeneration Innovation District.

Specifically, it will introduce mobility innovation research and development (R&D) functions, venture company support incubator functions, customized housing for youth and newlyweds, and essential living infrastructure such as childcare and sports facilities. It also plans to revitalize traditional markets, incorporate a youth street mall linked to the market, and reflect a public transportation transfer center that leverages the station area's location.

Incheon has expanded its urban outskirts through the development of economic free zones such as Songdo, Yeongjong, and Cheongna, but the old downtown area is facing difficulties due to population decline and aging buildings. Accordingly, the city conducted a thorough analysis of the entire old downtown station area and decided to select the Jakjeon Station area as a leading project site to promote.

Lee Jong-shin, Director of the Urban Balance Bureau of the city, said, "Through this project, we expect that young people who left for new towns will return to Incheon’s old downtown and contribute to regional economic development," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that the Jakjeon Station area innovation district project becomes a model for urban regeneration and spreads to surrounding areas."