Seoul to tour all 25 districts with redevelopment education program

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will launch a citywide education program on redevelopment and reconstruction projects, touring all 25 districts to help residents better understand the complex processes involved. The initiative aims to reduce conflicts stemming from procedural complexity and lack of information, while supporting the faster execution of urban renewal projects.

Seoul announced Monday that it will run the program — called the Citizens' Urban Renewal Academy — across all 25 autonomous districts from August through December.

Unlike conventional one-way lectures, the academy will have experts engage directly with residents on-site. A key feature is personalized consultation, allowing residents to raise questions and points of contention they encounter during actual redevelopment and reconstruction processes.

The city will begin in Nowon-gu in August and complete a first round of 25 on-site sessions across all districts by October. A second, more advanced round of on-site education will follow from October through November, and an online course will be added in December for residents unable to attend in person.

Residents can register through Seoul's public service reservation portal by scanning a QR code on promotional materials to check the schedule and apply online. Those who have difficulty applying online may register by phone through the academy's secretariat.

The city plans to explain project procedures, rights and entitlements, and common sources of resident conflict in accessible terms, while strengthening on-site question-and-answer sessions to broaden community participation.

Earlier, Seoul reviewed the progress schedules of 253 urban renewal zones to meet its target of breaking ground on 310,000 units by 2031, and designated 85 zones totaling 85,000 units that can begin construction within the next three years as "core supply strategic projects."

The 24 sites targeted for ground-breaking this year include Hannam 3 in Yongsan-gu (5,970 units), Galhyeon 1 in Eunpyeong-gu (4,116 units), Baeksa Village in Nowon-gu (3,178 units), Bangbae 13 in Seocho-gu (2,228 units) and Jeungsan 5 in Eunpyeong-gu (1,775 units). Seoul also plans to introduce a "fast-track ground-breaking six-package" to accelerate the start of construction on renewal projects.

Beyond the academy, Seoul provides urban renewal information through a mobile outreach program called the Residents' Urban Renewal School and a YouTube channel, Seoul Jeongbi GO.

Myeong No-jun, head of Seoul's housing bureau, said redevelopment and reconstruction are "not simply urban development, but an important process that transforms the lives and daily routines of citizens." He added that he hopes the academy "will open a path for all citizens to protect their rights based on a proper understanding of urban renewal projects."