Seoul to Create Green Space Three Times the Size of Gwanghwamun Square in Sewoon District [Real Estate AtoZ]

Creation of a Large Urban Park to Complete the City Center's Green Corridor
97% of Buildings Are Aged, 57% Are Wooden Structures
Gradual Park Conversion to Secure Green Space Three Times the Size of Gwanghwamun Square
"Sunlight Angle Standard Applied Beyond the Historical and Cultural Preservation Zone"

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced plans to transform the Sewoon District into a "green ecological city center" three times the size of Gwanghwamun Square by easing regulations on building height and floor area ratio, and expanding parks as a form of public contribution. This reiteration of the need for redevelopment and green space expansion comes amid ongoing disputes with the central government and the ruling party over Sewoon District 4, which is to be developed in front of Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A view of Sewoon District 4 (Sewoon 4 District) from Sangwoldae at Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul. Provided by Seoul City

On November 18, the Seoul Metropolitan Government stated that it will promote the "Sewoon Redevelopment Promotion District Development" as a core project of the "Green Ecological City Center Re-creation Strategy" announced in April 2022. The project aims to create a large-scale urban park of approximately 50,000 square meters on the site of the gradually demolished Sewoon Shopping Complex, completing a green corridor connecting Bugaksan, Jongmyo Shrine, and Namsan in the city center.

In April, the city decided on a revision to the Sewoon Redevelopment Promotion Plan to gradually secure 136,000 square meters of green space within the Sewoon District, as part of its green ecological city center re-creation strategy. In addition, the city plans to supply over 1 million square meters of new industry infrastructure and develop an urban residential complex for about 10,000 households around Cheonggyecheon and the urban park area, fostering Sewoon District as a "competitive, vibrant city center" where work and residential spaces are integrated.

The Sewoon Redevelopment Promotion District is one of the most underdeveloped areas in central Seoul. In 2006, following the restoration of Cheonggyecheon, the city designated the Sewoon Shopping Complex and its surrounding areas as a redevelopment promotion district. However, due to the global financial crisis in the late 2000s and a downturn in the real estate market, city policy shifted toward regeneration and preservation, causing the momentum for change to be lost.

In the Sewoon District, where redevelopment has stalled, 97% of buildings are over 30 years old, and 57% are wooden structures vulnerable to collapse and fire. More than 40% of these buildings do not meet current fire safety standards, and 65% of roads do not meet the minimum width of 6 meters required for fire truck access. The city explains that this situation not only causes inconvenience but also threatens public safety.

A view of Sewoon District (Sewoon District 4) from Sangwoldae at Jongmyo Jeongjeon, Seoul. Additional areas with approved project implementation plans. Provided by Seoul City

The city plans to transform the Sewoon District into a "pleasant and healthy green ecological city center" representing Seoul. By utilizing development profits secured through the relaxation of floor area ratio and height regulations for private redevelopment projects within the district, the city will gradually convert the Sewoon Shopping Complex, Cheonggye Shopping Complex, Daerim Shopping Complex, Sampung Shopping Complex, PJ Hotel, Inhyeon (Shinseong) Shopping Complex, and Jinyang Shopping Complex into parks. This will secure approximately 136,000 square meters of green space within Sewoon District, equivalent to three times the size of Gwanghwamun Square.

This will create a green corridor connecting Bugaksan, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, and Namsan, as well as a historical landscape axis that highlights historical and cultural assets like Jongmyo Shrine. If the massive shopping complex stretching from Jongno to Toegye-ro is converted into green space, it is expected to restore the east-west flow of the city center, which has been cut off.

The revised plan for Sewoon District 4, which is at the center of the current controversy, includes creating about 13,100 square meters of open green space on private land, turning the area across from Jongmyo Square Park into an open green space. The city has secured approximately 96.8 billion won for the purchase of the shopping complex, laying the foundation for the creation of an urban park.

Seoul Jongmyo Shrine and Sewoon District 4. Photo by Yonhap News

The Seoul Metropolitan Government emphasized that it applied the sunlight angle standard more broadly, even though the area is not included in the historical and cultural environment preservation zone. The historical and cultural environment preservation zone extends up to 100 meters from the boundary of a cultural asset, and Sewoon District is located 180 meters away, so it is not included. The city's sunlight angle standard is mandatory only within 100 meters of the boundary of a cultural asset protection zone.

Although Sewoon District 4 is outside the historical and cultural environment preservation zone, the city applied its sunlight angle standard to the Sewoon District to minimize the impact on the view of Jongmyo Shrine. According to this standard, heights of up to 101.1 meters along Jongno and 149.4 meters along Cheonggyecheon are allowed, but the plan is to have a stepped height, with Jongno at 98.7 meters and Cheonggyecheon at 141.9 meters.

The city also explained that, by applying traditional Korean fa?ade design and floor patterns to the architecture, the creation of new landmarks and a north-south green corridor within Sewoon District could enhance the cultural and heritage value of Jongmyo Shrine.

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon stated, "The redevelopment project in the Sewoon area will create a massive green corridor from Jongmyo Shrine to Namsan, further highlighting the historical and heritage value of Jongmyo, and by improving ecological accessibility to Jongmyo, it will transform the atmosphere of Seoul and reinvent the city center. The changes in the Sewoon area, which both elevate historical value and open the door to the future, will serve as a signal flare for the golden age of northern Seoul."