Urban Management Plan to Be Overhauled to Promote Old Downtown Reconstruction
15 Aging Residential Areas to Be Upgraded from Type 1 to Type 2 General Residential Districts
On May 20, the city of Ansan in Gyeonggi Province announced plans to upgrade the zoning classifications for large areas of its old downtown district in order to revitalize urban renewal projects.
The city stated that it will carry out the “2030 Ansan Urban Management Plan Reorganization Service” to support future urban development and systematic city management. Through this reorganization of the urban management plan, Ansan aims to encourage the reconstruction of aging buildings in the old downtown and to present strategies for revitalizing the city center.
The “urban management plan” is a legally mandated plan established to ensure the harmonious functioning of a city’s various elements, to enable residents to live comfortably and safely, and to promote the city’s sustainable development. Typical components include plans for the designation or modification of zoning districts and use districts.
The main items included in the current service are: ▲ changes to zoning districts and use districts (28 cases), ▲ changes to urban planning facilities (41 cases), and ▲ designation of district unit planning zones (2 cases).
In particular, the city will use this service to pursue an upgrade of zoning classifications in the Jungang-dong area, which is part of the old downtown. Specifically, 510,000 square meters of general commercial district will be changed to central commercial district to encourage the reconstruction of aging buildings and to promote development around transit stations. In addition, 520,000 square meters across 15 locations of aging single-family and multi-family residential neighborhoods, currently classified as Type 1 General Residential District, will be upgraded to Type 2 General Residential District to facilitate redevelopment and reconstruction.
In the Sadong area, the city plans to develop the former site of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology into a residential complex by eliminating its current research facility designation and changing its zoning from Type 1 General Residential District to Semi-Residential District. In the Geungeon-dong area, the city will relax the height restriction for small-scale housing renewal projects by increasing the maximum building height from 7 stories to 15 stories.
In addition, the city plans to include changes to urban planning facilities such as: ▲ the establishment of a “neighborhood park” around Nue Island in Seonggam-dong, Daebudo, ▲ designating part of the buffer green space in Sadong as an “urban ecological park,” and ▲ establishing a “public office” within part of Wadong 1st Park in Seonbu-dong.
Other planned revisions include: ▲ changing the area of Gubong Park, ▲ changing the site for waste treatment and recycling facilities in Chojidong to Semi-Residential District, ▲ reflecting plans to minimize the area incorporated into the railway at Hanyang University Station and Seongpo Station, ▲ improving facilities around Sangnoksu Station, ▲ including the planned site for the new Ansan Fire Station, and ▲ separating Wadong 1st Park. These major urban planning facility improvements will also be included in the plan.
The city will collect public feedback on the plan until May 28, after which it will listen to the city council’s opinions and undergo review by the Urban Planning Committee before officially announcing the reorganized urban management plan.
Lee Minguen, Mayor of Ansan, stated, “This reorganization of the urban management plan is intended to actively reflect changing times and trends in order to promote the reconstruction of the old downtown,” adding, “We will actively solicit citizen feedback and push forward with the service in a way that minimizes inconvenience.”
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