Seoul to Create Green Space Along COEX Yeongdong-daero... International Exchange Complex District Plan Revised

Location map of the International Exchange Complex District Unit Plan. Seoul Metropolitan Government

A large-scale green space will be created in the area around COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where development is currently underway. The city also plans to enhance convenience for tourists by providing urban airport services at the section adjacent to the Metropolitan Integrated Transfer Center.

On November 13, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it had held the 18th Urban and Architecture Joint Committee meeting and approved with modifications the “Decision (Amendment) on the District Unit Plan for the International Exchange Complex District and the Decision (Amendment) on the Detailed Development Plan for the Korea World Trade Center Special Planning Zone.”

With this decision, the underutilized ground-level area compared to the underground space will be reorganized into a pedestrian-oriented green space of about 14,000 square meters, connected to the Yeongdong-daero ground plaza. The urban airport service function will be relocated to the section adjacent to the Gangnam Metropolitan Integrated Transfer Center, a major transportation hub. This aims to improve convenience for tourists visiting the International Exchange Complex District. Since the closure of the urban airport terminal in 2023 due to accumulated deficits, there have been ongoing requests to resume urban airport services in the area. The city has decided to resume these services near the Gangnam Metropolitan Integrated Transfer Center in conjunction with the COEX remodeling project.

The area has established itself as a hub for international exchange and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions), based on various infrastructures such as COEX, convention centers, the urban airport terminal, and department stores.

Currently, large-scale development projects are actively underway, including the integrated underground development of Yeongdong-daero, Hyundai Motor Group’s Global Business Center (GBC), and the privately funded Jamsil Sports and MICE Complex. The city revised the district unit plan to reorganize external spaces and improve functions in line with the local conditions.

A bird's-eye view of the front of COEX. Seoul City

This project will be carried out based on the architectural design of world-renowned British designer Thomas Heatherwick. The landscape design will be handled by SWA Group, a globally acclaimed landscape architecture firm that designed Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and Disneyland in the United States. Terraces and rooftops along Yeongdong-daero will be open to the public.

The city stated, “With this decision, a multi-dimensional urban space will be created in connection with the integrated underground development of Yeongdong-daero,” adding, “The International Exchange Complex District will be reborn as a new, attractive space equipped with global business, commercial, cultural, and MICE functions, further elevating Seoul’s international status.”