The development of the 'Suwon R&D Science Park' is set to move forward in earnest.
The city of Suwon in Gyeonggi Province has designated a 350,000-square-meter area in Ipbuk-dong, Gwonseon-gu-the planned site for the R&D Science Park-as an urban development zone, and officially announced this designation on January 16.
With the designation of the urban development zone, activities that could interfere with the project, such as construction or changes to land use within the area, are now restricted. Suwon city plans to proceed smoothly with subsequent steps, including the establishment of a compensation plan and approval of the implementation plan, aiming to begin construction in 2027.
This official announcement of the urban development zone designation comes 14 years after the initial plan was made.
The site had faced difficulties in project advancement as it was designated as a Green Belt (development-restricted area). Suwon city achieved a breakthrough in April last year by securing the lifting of the development restriction through consultations with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Since then, the city has completed consultations with relevant agencies under the Urban Development Act, as well as the review by the Suwon Urban Planning Committee, finalizing all administrative preparations.
The Suwon R&D Science Park project aims to create a research complex concentrating advanced technologies in the Ipbuk-dong 484 area of Gwonseon-gu. The goal is to attract leading research companies in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and biotechnology, and to become a global advanced R&D hub.
The development will also include research and development facilities, an industry-academia cooperation center, apartment complexes for researchers and employees, neighborhood living facilities, and public parks. The plan is to create an integrated environment where workplaces and residences are in close proximity.
The site offers excellent accessibility. It is 1.2 kilometers from Sungkyunkwan University Station on National Railway Line 1 and 1.4 kilometers from the planned Guun Station on the extended Gwanggyo-Homaesil Shinbundang Line. It is also just a five-minute drive from the Dangsu and Geumgok interchanges on the Pyeongtaek-Paju Expressway.
In the vicinity of the R&D Science Park are the Sungkyunkwan University Natural Sciences Campus, a semiconductor-specialized university that produces outstanding research talent, and the Tapdong Innovation Valley. Suwon city plans to establish a research and development cluster in connection with Sungkyunkwan University's strong research infrastructure and to create synergy with Tapdong Innovation Valley. The park is expected to become a key anchor for the Suwon Free Economic Zone and a landmark for western Suwon.
Suwon city is also pursuing the designation of a 3.3-square-kilometer 'Suwon Free Economic Zone' centered on the R&D Science Park and Tapdong Innovation Valley, with the aim of establishing a Korean-style Silicon Valley.
Lee Jaejun, Mayor of Suwon, stated, "We will ensure the successful development of the Suwon R&D Science Park, making it a catalyst for Suwon's major transformation," adding, "By linking the R&D Science Park with the Suwon Free Economic Zone, we will develop Suwon into a center for advanced scientific research."
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