'Residential Floor Area Ratio in Central Commercial District: 400% to 540%'
City: "Concerns Over Reckless Development... Decline in Quality of Life for Citizens"
Council: "Revitalizing Commercial Districts... Boosting Construction and Urban Vitality"
On the afternoon of the 11th, Kim Junyoung, Director of Urban Space Bureau of Gwangju City, Roh Kyungsoo, Professor of Urban Real Estate at Gwangju University, Park Pilsun, Chair of the Industry and Construction Committee of Gwangju City Council, and Park Honggeun, Executive Director of Architects Planting Trees, engaged in a heated debate over the ordinance to increase the residential floor area ratio in the central commercial district on KBS Gwangju Broadcasting's live debate program "Live Debate 740." Screenshot from KBS Gwangju Broadcasting's "Live Debate 740."
Gwangju City and the city council engaged in a heated debate over the ordinance to raise the residential floor area ratio in the central commercial district during a public broadcast discussion. The city and the council revealed their differences on the afternoon of the 11th during KBS Gwangju's live broadcast "Live Debate 740."
In the debate, the city was represented by Kim Junyoung, Director of Urban Space, and Noh Kyungsoo, Professor of Urban Real Estate at Gwangju University. Representing the council were Park Pilsun, Chairperson of the Industrial and Construction Committee, and Park Honggeun, Executive Director of Namusimneun Geonchugin, who engaged in a fierce debate.
They expressed differing opinions on the proposal to raise the residential floor area ratio in central commercial areas such as Chungjang-ro and Geumnam-ro in Gwangju from the current 400% to 540%.
Chairperson Park Pilsun argued, "The central commercial area, which is the heart of Gwangju, is currently struggling due to the economic downturn. If residential conditions are established in the downtown area, it can regain its vitality. If investment conditions are created, the stagnant construction industry will revive, and it will also serve as an opportunity to increase Gwangju's population."
Executive Director Park Honggeun also emphasized, "The current regulations have been in place for 50 years, and now is the time for development to restore the vitality of the downtown area. At this point, the administration should focus on easing regulations to attract investment, and administrative measures are needed to encourage investors to take interest in Gwangju."
In contrast, Director Kim Junyoung countered, "If the floor area ratio is increased, there are concerns about indiscriminate and reckless development, which could threaten even basic living conditions. Adding residential use to the original purpose of the central commercial area will result in indiscriminate construction of solitary apartment buildings, and issues such as school shortages, traffic congestion, and waste will worsen, ultimately lowering the quality of life for citizens."
Professor Noh Kyungsoo also stated, "If the central commercial area is developed indiscriminately, it could be linked to special privileges and various social problems such as the collapse of the housing market may arise." He added, "We also need to analyze the current trends in the Gwangju housing market. Simply increasing supply is not the solution when there is no demand. It is important to seek ways to increase demand as well."
Meanwhile, the Gwangju City Council passed an ordinance amendment to raise the residential floor area ratio in the central commercial district from 400% to 540% on the 12th of last month, but Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung requested a reconsideration, putting a hold on the process.
The council must resubmit the reconsideration request to the plenary session through a certain procedure, and in order for it to pass, a majority of the members must be present and more than two-thirds must vote in favor.
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