Sejong City Relaxes Green Building Design Standards to Enhance Effectiveness and Convenience

Practical Reflection of Business Circumstances

Sejong City has decided to concentrate administrative efforts on creating an eco-friendly city conducive to business. Photo by Kim Giwan, Sejong Special Self-Governing City Hall

Sejong City announced on June 5 that it will relax green building design standards to better suit business conditions.

The easing of standards focuses on establishing and revising practical design criteria that align with the business environment and regional characteristics, following the implementation of the "Green Building Design Standards" enacted in July of last year.

The city has simplified the complex grade-based application criteria to enhance the effectiveness of the permitting process, and has established separate review standards for facilities such as warehouses and factories, which have unique design requirements and functions that make it difficult to apply the general design standards.

In particular, Sejong City is actively encouraging the application of green building design standards by strengthening incentives such as acquisition and property tax reductions under the Local Tax Special Cases Restriction Act.

The revised green building design standards apply to building permits and design review applications processed from June 5 onward.

Lee Duhee, Director of the Urban Housing Bureau, stated, "Through the revision of the green building design standards, we have realistically reflected the circumstances of businesses," adding, "We will pursue balanced policies, including revitalizing investment attraction and creating an eco-friendly city."