Regulations on hanok construction in the Insadong area of Jongno-gu, Seoul, will be eased. As a result, it is expected to become easier to build new hanok, carry out renovations, and improve the environment.
The Seoul city government said on the 16th that it posted the Insadong district unit plan change (readjustment) on May 11.
The target area is around 90-18, Gyeongun-dong, Jongno-gu, with a total area of 124,068 square meters. This is the first overhaul of the Insadong district unit plan in 16 years since 2009.
The changes include easing the criteria for being recognized as a hanok. Until now, at least 70% of the building area had to be constructed as a hanok, but going forward, as long as the portion facing the street maintains a hanok streetscape, only 50% needs to be built as a hanok.
Korean-style roof tiles using modern materials will also be allowed. In addition, if a hanok is built, the obligation to install an accessory parking lot will be waived to reduce the burden.
The maximum development scale, previously divided into eight sections, has been simplified into three types: ▲ inside Insadong (330 square meters) ▲ buffer zone (660 square meters) ▲ arterial street frontage (1,500 square meters). This measure follows the assessment that overly subdivided standards made it difficult to develop adjacent land together. For landlocked and irregularly shaped land and small lots where standalone development is difficult, new standards were established to allow the formulation of joint development plans.
In addition, the baseline floor area ratio (FAR), currently 600% for general commercial zones, will be eased to 660% if conditions are met, such as creating open green space or introducing recommended uses. The maximum FAR can also be applied within up to twice the baseline FAR.
The building coverage ratio, previously eased to a maximum of 70% to 80%, will be applied up to 90% when constructing a hanok. If the standards for protecting and utilizing traditional culture are met, it will be permitted to add one more story while receiving the existing eased building coverage ratio.
Separately, if traditional culture businesses such as antique shops, mounting shops, and brush and ink stores, or businesses that help activate the street, are introduced, the current maximum building height of 4 meters will be eased to 10 meters.