Seoul City to Redevelop Jegi-dong Hanok Village, Transforming It into a Hotspot Linked with Traditional Markets [Real Estate AtoZ]

Location map of the architectural heritage promotion district in Jegi-dong area, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Seoul City

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will designate the Hanok cluster area in Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu as an Architectural Heritage Promotion Zone and begin redevelopment efforts.

On the 27th, the city announced that the 19th Urban and Architectural Joint Committee had approved with amendments the "Designation and Management Plan for the Architectural Heritage Promotion Zone in Jegi-dong" as well as the "District Unit Plan Area and Plan."

The target site is the only "established urban Hanok village" selected in the "New Hanok Village Creation Contest" held in September 2023. Approximately 165 Hanok houses are clustered in the area. The city plans to redevelop the area as a Hanok village that reflects the unique spatial characteristics of existing Hanok and alleyways, in connection with nearby traditional markets such as Gyeongdong Market.

The Architectural Heritage Promotion Zone is a system for systematically managing areas with architectural assets such as Hanok. The city will implement key public sector projects, including the "Hanok Sensibility Spot 10+." Through these initiatives, existing Hanok will be purchased and renovated to create Hanok complex cultural spaces, Hanok pop-up stores, and accommodation facilities for visitors. Additionally, the city will build a "Hanok courtyard" and "Hanok restroom," and improve the pedestrian environment.

Furthermore, to encourage private Hanok construction, the city will introduce the "Jegi-dong Hanok" standards. If three essential criteria-Korean-style tiled roof, traditional Korean wooden construction method, and courtyard-are met, a building can be recognized as a Jegi-dong Hanok. Those meeting the Jegi-dong Hanok standards will be eligible for special exceptions, including a relaxation of the building coverage ratio up to a maximum of 90%, a full exemption from the requirement to install on-site parking, a relaxation of height restrictions for sunlight access (0.5 meter setback), and eased requirements for building line setbacks.