Dongducheon-si Launches Support Project for Renovation of Vacant Buildings

Dongducheon City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Park Hyung-deok) announced on the 18th that it will pilot a vacant building maintenance project in 2025.

A view of Dongducheon City Hall. Provided by Dongducheon City

The support target includes all buildings except residential ones that have been left unattended for more than one year and are single-story structures harmful to public interest. Owners of buildings selected for the project will receive free demolition support on the condition that they provide public land (such as parking lots or community gardens) for more than three years.

Currently, vacant house maintenance projects are actively carried out nationwide, but awareness of vacant building maintenance remains insufficient. Dongducheon City has decided to take the lead in promoting vacant building maintenance support projects through ordinance amendments.

Recently, as aging vacant buildings have increased mainly in the outskirts of urban areas, the risk of safety accidents has grown. The city plans to maintain these buildings to ensure citizens' safety and provide tangible benefits to the local community.

The future direction and expansion of the project will be determined through subsequent evaluations.

A Dongducheon City official stated, "This pilot project is led by Dongducheon City, and by providing parking lots, community gardens, etc., for a certain period after demolition, nearby residents will also benefit from positive external effects," adding, "We plan to present a pioneering model for urban regeneration and environmental maintenance."