Full-Scale Revitalization of Dongdaemun Area Begins... Urban Redevelopment Plan Approved [Real Estate AtoZ]

Location map of 292-2 Hyoje-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Seoul City

The urban redevelopment project for Hyoje-dong in Jongno-gu, Seoul, aimed at revitalizing the Dongdaemun area, is set to move forward in earnest.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 6th that it had convened the 17th Urban Planning Committee and approved, with modifications, the 'Hyoje 1·2·3 Urban Redevelopment Project Plan Decision and Landscape Review (Draft)' for the area around 292-2 Hyoje-dong, Jongno-gu.

This area is bordered by Jongno, Daehak-ro, Kim Sangok-ro, and Yulgok-ro. The city has been pursuing the designation of a redevelopment zone and a redevelopment plan (draft) to achieve its urban management goals for revitalizing the eastern part of central Seoul around Dongdaemun and to enhance the public interest in private-led redevelopment projects. In the 2023 formulation of the 2030 Urban and Residential Environment Redevelopment Master Plan, approximately 1.08 million square meters in the Dongdaemun area were re-designated as planned redevelopment zones. Following Junggyo-dong and Gwanghui-dong in Jung-gu in September, Hyoje-dong became the third area to pass the review.

The city has planned a total of 30 districts across the three redevelopment zones, setting building density standards such as building coverage ratio, floor area ratio, and height according to each type of redevelopment. In particular, to strengthen urban competitiveness through medium- and large-scale mixed-use development, the city will allow an additional 20 meters to the standard height of 70 meters for sites of 3,000 square meters or more that include two or more uses.

Additionally, to prevent depopulation of the city center and support residential supply, the plan allows for residential development as the primary use. When introducing residential use, the city will grant floor area ratio incentives up to a maximum of 100% based on the proportion of residential space.

Furthermore, to promote pedestrian activity and implement the green ecological city policy, the plan includes the creation of a pedestrian and green network utilizing local assets, specialized streets, and open green spaces. For the Jongno frontage, a low-rise design guideline has been established, and on Jongno 39-gil, which forms the Heungdeokdongcheon pedestrian axis connecting Daehak-ro and Cheonggyecheon, open green spaces have been placed on both sides of the road. Notably, a 15-meter-wide open green space has been created at the entrance to Heungdeokdongcheon from Jongno.

In addition, a new floor area ratio incentive item has been introduced to encourage the reestablishment of the area's traditional pharmaceutical and medical-related businesses along Jongno, and a plan has also been established to protect commercial tenants by providing floor area ratio incentives.

Previously, the area was managed through individual development via building permits, but with the designation of the redevelopment zone, large-scale development has become possible as infrastructure is improved. This plan serves as a public redevelopment guideline for each project area, with specific business plans to be finalized through resident proposals.

Cho Namjun, Director of the Urban Space Headquarters at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "Hyoje-dong is an area that has attracted significant development interest. With the decision on this redevelopment plan, we expect that a strategy has been established to inject vitality into the previously underdeveloped eastern part of central Seoul, transforming it into a space that will enhance regional competitiveness."