Seoul City Revises Teheran-ro District Unit Plan
Up to 1800% Floor Area Ratio Allowed When Upgraded to Central Commercial Area
‘Land Use Zone Adjustment Possible Area’ Introduced Like in Myeongdong and Yeouido
Height Restrictions Lifted, Allowing Construction of Ultra-High-Density Prime Offices
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has prepared a district unit plan revision that allows a floor area ratio of up to 1800% without height restrictions in the Teheran-ro area. Regulations have been boldly relaxed to enable the construction of super high-rise or ultra-high-density buildings with more than 100 floors.
On the 13th, Seoul announced that it held the 4th Urban and Architectural Joint Committee and approved the amendment to the 'Teheran-ro District Unit Plan Decision (draft)'.
The target area is the Teheran-ro area stretching from Gangnam Station Intersection to POSCO Intersection. This area has excellent public transportation accessibility with Subway Line 2, Shinbundang Line, GTX-A and C lines, and metropolitan buses, and is equipped with various living infrastructures. The Teheran-ro area was upgraded to a 'downtown' in the 2009 Basic Urban Plan and performs global business and commercial functions.
The city introduced a 'land use zone adjustment possible area' that allows upgrading the land use zone to central commercial areas to strengthen downtown functions, reflecting the characteristics of the area densely packed with office facilities. This is the fourth area, after Myeongdong, Sangam-dong, and Yeouido, where land use zone upgrades to central commercial areas are possible.
Regulations have been relaxed to allow the construction of prime offices in the Gangnam area. When applying eco-friendly elements and creative and innovative designs, a floor area ratio of up to 1800% will be permitted. By not setting a separate height limit, the plan boldly breaks away from the regulations of the existing district unit plan.
Location map of the Teheran-ro area (Gangnam Station Intersection to POSCO Intersection). Provided by Seoul City.
In addition, the line-shaped commercial area along Gangnam-daero has also been designated as a land use zone adjustment possible area, allowing the land use to be changed from Type 3 General Residential Area to General Commercial Area. This is to induce integrated development in connection with station area revitalization projects and to strengthen its function as a core commercial area.
Reflecting the floor area ratio system reform in the district unit plan revised last year, the standard floor area ratio for general commercial areas has been significantly raised from 600% to 800%, and the allowable floor area ratio from 800% to 880%. It is expected that improving development conditions will revitalize the Gangnam downtown and enhance urban vitality.
If new construction is difficult, related measures have also been prepared to improve the performance of aging buildings through remodeling existing buildings. If the Teheran-ro area is designated as a remodeling activation zone in the future, active support will be provided.
The city plans to finalize and announce the district unit plan amendment after public inspection and announcement to residents.
Jo Nam-jun, head of the Seoul Urban Space Headquarters, said, "Through this revision of the Teheran-ro district unit plan, we will break free from regulatory constraints and secure new growth engines for Teheran-ro," adding, "We hope this will be an opportunity to boost the vitality of Gangnam downtown and further enhance global competitiveness."
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