Seoul designates three low-rise residential zones for renewal, plans 2,054-unit complex near Sinpung Station

Three low-rise residential neighborhoods in Seoul — Okin-dong and Myeongnyun 3-ga in Jongno-gu, and Mangwu-dong in Jungnang-gu — are set to be designated as special architectural zones. A residential complex of 2,054 units, including 270 long-term jeonse homes, will be built in the Sinpung Station transit-oriented area in Yeongdeungpo-gu.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it cleared four proposals at its ninth Architecture Committee meeting on June 9, including the designation of three special architectural zones under the Human Town 2.0 project and a long-term jeonse housing project for the Sinpung Station transit-oriented area.

The three areas designated as special architectural zones are the vicinity of 47 Okin-dong, Jongno-gu; 1-1061 Myeongnyun 3-ga, Jongno-gu; and 422-1 Mangwu-dong, Jungnang-gu.

Human Town 2.0 is a project aimed at revitalizing aging low-rise residential neighborhoods dominated by multi-family and multi-unit non-apartment housing. In areas where lot-by-lot construction alone made redevelopment economically unviable, the program applies architectural exemptions to support resident-led voluntary renewal.

Within the special architectural zones, building plans that meet design guidelines for individual lot construction may, after architectural review, receive relaxed requirements for landscaping, building coverage ratio, floor area ratio and open space on site. Height restrictions will also be eased in the Okin-dong and Myeongnyun 3-ga areas.

The zone areas measure 30,282 square meters in Okin-dong, 56,494 square meters in Myeongnyun 3-ga and 14,784 square meters in Mangwu-dong. The exemptions apply to newly constructed buildings within each zone.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to strengthen the Human Town 2.0 project further by designating additional remodeling activation zones and concentrated architectural agreement zones, developing it into a renewal program with tangible benefits for residents.

A large-scale long-term jeonse housing complex will be built in the Sinpung Station transit-oriented area around 413-8 Singil-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu.

The Sinpung Station long-term jeonse housing project will rise 35 above-ground floors over 3 below-ground floors. Of the 2,054 total units, 270 will be public housing and 1,784 will be pre-sale units. The development will also include social welfare facilities, a children's park and a public parking lot.

The project site covers 62,482.10 square meters, with a total floor area of 309,876.92 square meters. A building coverage ratio of 23.23 percent and a floor area ratio of 299.57 percent will apply.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it applied a design intended to improve livability within units and maximize openness. Enhancements to residents' leisure environment and improvements to evacuation performance were also incorporated to raise overall housing quality.

The Sinpung Station long-term jeonse housing project is expected to contribute to housing stability by supplying a large volume of homes in a transit-oriented area. The project targets completion in July 2029.

"These proposals realize Seoul's future urban spatial strategy, spanning from the revitalization of low-rise residential renewal to large-scale housing supply," the Seoul Metropolitan Government said. "We will actively support the projects so that housing stability and enhanced urban competitiveness can be achieved at the same time."