Seoul Finalizes Six "Moa Town" Projects in Northern Districts, to Supply 8,478 Housing Units [Real Estate AtoZ]

Improving Aging Low-Rise Residential Areas and Expanding Housing Supply
Moa Towns Finalized in Seongbuk, Gangbuk, Dongdaemun, Jungnang, and Mapo Districts

Aerial view of Moa Town area at 226-1 Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu. Seoul City

On December 2, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it has finalized six Moa Town areas in the northern districts of the city-Seongbuk-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, Jungnang-gu, Mapo-gu, and others-to supply a total of 8,478 housing units.

The city stated that, at the 18th meeting of the Small-Scale Housing Redevelopment Integrated Review Subcommittee held the previous day, it approved six proposals, including the "Moa Town in the area of 226-1 Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu."

The approved proposals are as follows: Moa Town in the area of 226-1 Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu; Moa Town in the area of 392-9 Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu; Moa Town in the area of 489 Dapsimni-dong, Dongdaemun-gu; Moa Town in the area of 299-8 Junghwa 2-dong, Jungnang-gu; Moa Town in the area of 46-1 Changjeon-dong, Mapo-gu; and Moa Town in the area of 1021 Seonghyeon-dong, Gwanak-gu. If the projects proceed, a total of 8,478 Moa Housing units will be supplied, including 1,443 rental units.

In the Jeongneung-dong area of Seongbuk-gu, a total of 782 units (including 69 rental units) will be supplied through two Moa Housing complexes. The target sites are areas where development has been difficult due to fragmented roads and steep slopes. With 67.5% of buildings classified as old and 68.8% of homes being semi-basement units, this is a dense, low-rise residential area in need of environmental improvement.

With this decision, the zoning will be changed from Type 2 General Residential Area (7 stories) to Type 2 General Residential Area, allowing for relaxed height and building regulations. The number of units will increase by 248 to a total of 782, with buildings ranging from two basement levels to 29 above-ground floors. In addition, shared facilities such as community sports facilities and rest areas will be created, along with a daycare center, an integrated childcare center, and neighborhood living facilities.

Aerial view of Moa Town area at 392-9 Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu. Seoul City

In Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu, five Moa Housing complexes will be developed, increasing the number of units from the existing 1,725 to 2,595, including 577 rental units.

This area has a mix of new and old buildings and lacks sufficient infrastructure, resulting in poor residential conditions. The latest decision includes zoning upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and plans for public facilities.

The target area also suffers from narrow roads and parking shortages, but road widening and separation of pedestrian and vehicle traffic will be implemented. To ensure pedestrian safety, vehicle access will be restricted along Samyang-ro, a major road. The current narrow 6-meter-wide roads will be expanded to 15 meters and designated as main roads to serve as access routes within Moa Town. A park will also be established on the eastern side to encourage park utilization.

The area is a "triple station area," with Gaori Station, Hwagye Station (Ui-Sinseol Line), and Suyu Station (Line 4) all located within a 600-meter radius. The city expects that this project will also contribute to local revitalization.

In Dapsimni-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, three Moa Housing complexes will supply a total of 994 units, including 216 rental units. Here, 92% of buildings are old or substandard, and the internal roads are narrow. The steep slopes in the area also cause inconvenience for residents.

Through this project, the zoning will be upgraded from Type 2 to Type 3 General Residential Area to improve business feasibility, and the main roads within Moa Town will be widened to create sidewalks and improve transportation conditions.

The number of units will increase by 687 to a total of 994, with buildings ranging from two basement levels to 23 above-ground floors. A public pedestrian path will be constructed to enhance walkability, and underground parking lots will be installed to further improve the project's feasibility.

In the Junghwa 2-dong area of Jungnang-gu, a total of 1,800 units (including 286 rental units) will be supplied through one street housing redevelopment project currently under construction and three Moa Housing complexes.

This area is also a dense, low-rise residential zone, with 81% of buildings classified as old and 70.2% of homes being semi-basement units.

The Moa Town management plan has upgraded the entire project area from Type 2 to Type 3 General Residential Area to enhance business feasibility. Road conditions will also be significantly improved. Community facilities for residents-such as sports facilities, a small library, and a children's playground-as well as public open spaces will be provided to create living spaces for local residents.

The city stated that this plan prevents reckless development and establishes a balanced redevelopment system that harmonizes infrastructure such as roads and parks with the local environment.

Moa Town example in the area of 46-1 Changjeon-dong, Mapo-gu. Seoul City

In Changjeon-dong, Mapo-gu, the approval of this plan will allow for the development of one Moa Housing complex, supplying a total of 298 units (including 41 rental units) by 2032.

With the designation of this Moa Town, the number of housing units supplied is expected to increase from the current 222 to 298. The plan includes the expansion of infrastructure such as roads and parks, the provision of social welfare facilities and other necessary community amenities, the designation of a special architectural zone, and the establishment of design guidelines. The pedestrian environment will also be improved by connecting Wow Neighborhood Park and Changjeon Children's Park.

In the Seonghyeon-dong area of Gwanak-gu, four Moa Housing complexes will be built, increasing the number of units by 624 to a total of 2,009 (including 254 rental units).

This area is a densely populated residential zone on hilly terrain, with issues such as narrow roads and a lack of parking spaces. It was designated as a Moa Town site in 2023 and has undergone resident briefings, expert consultations by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and public hearings before being submitted for review.

The main points of the proposed Moa Town management plan include upgrading the zoning of the project area (from Type 2, up to 7 stories, to Type 3 General Residential Area), expanding infrastructure such as roads and parks, and increasing shared-use facilities. To accommodate the increased number of units and the presence of large apartment complexes nearby, internal roads will be widened, and sidewalks will be created using open spaces within the sites to improve the poor pedestrian environment. Road leveling will also be carried out in sections where uneven surfaces have made passage difficult.