Seoul City Establishes Dongdaemun Redevelopment Master Plan... Aiming to Become a Downtown Landmark

Plan for a Green Ecological Urban Center Linked with Parks
Includes Residential Plans Considering Urban Hollowing

Seoul City will initiate a maintenance plan project to develop the area around Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) into an urban landmark. The plan aims to revitalize the commercial district, which has been stagnant due to the impact of COVID-19, and to create a green ecological urban center by reorganizing the space.

On the 12th, Seoul City announced that it will start the project for "Designation of Maintenance Area and Establishment of Maintenance Plan for the DDP Area" from next month. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year.

Provided by Seoul City.

First, the city plans to design a spatial structure to activate the commercial district. The DDP area has been criticized for having many aging buildings and a lack of connectivity between them. There is also a shortage of citizen-friendly spaces such as cultural facilities and green areas. Therefore, through this project, the city intends to link the nearby Hunryeonwon Park and adjacent green spaces to create a green ecological urban center.

To revitalize industry and address urban hollowing, the introduction of residential areas will also be considered. If the maintenance plan is established through the project, it is expected that urban maintenance-type redevelopment projects will become feasible in the DDP area.

Jo Nam-jun, head of Seoul City's Urban Space Headquarters, stated, "For the DDP area to become a world-class design hub, it is essential to revitalize the entire commercial district that will drive regional vitality. Through this project, we will lay the foundation for new industries in the DDP area and create a turning point to grow it into the largest landmark in the urban area."