Redevelopment projects in Dobong District, Seoul, are picking up speed. As redevelopment across Banghak-dong and Ssangmun-dong gets on track, procedures have recently begun to designate a maintenance zone around 608 Chang-dong, signaling the spread of maintenance projects across Dobong District, long regarded as a representative old residential area in northeastern Seoul.
For a time, Dobong District was considered slower than other major redevelopment areas in Seoul. A combination of relatively low project profitability, a concentration of old residential areas, and regulations on quasi-industrial zones kept maintenance projects from gaining momentum. But sentiment is shifting as Seoul City expands fast-track integrated planning and eases redevelopment rules for quasi-industrial zones.
According to the maintenance industry on the 16th, Dobong District will establish a maintenance plan for a housing redevelopment project around 608 Chang-dong. The target area, around lots 608, 609 and 674 in Chang-dong, spans about 66,000 square meters and has been selected as a redevelopment candidate site under Seoul City's fast-track integrated planning.
Chang-dong lot 608 is a quasi-industrial zone where factories and low-rise residential areas once coexisted. With many old buildings and a lack of infrastructure, it is cited as an area where development has long been stagnant. The industry expects that once the project gains full steam, it will mark a turning point in improving the residential environment across Chang-dong.
In particular, at about 66,000 square meters, this area is relatively large even among redevelopment sites currently underway in Dobong District. Although it is still before the maintenance plan is drawn up and the specific development scale has not been set, the industry sees it becoming a site capable of supplying thousands of dwellings if incentives from the fast-track integrated planning and eased floor area ratios for quasi-industrial zones are applied. Dobong District said the actual supply scale will be decided during the future maintenance plan process and Seoul City's review.
An official from Dobong District said, "Once a draft maintenance plan is prepared, we will request designation as a maintenance zone from Seoul City after a resident public inspection notice, briefings, and hearing the district council's opinion," adding, "Designation as a maintenance zone is expected to take typically about 1 year and 6 months to 2 years."
This project will be carried out in connection with Seoul City's fast-track integrated planning. Once Seoul City prepares the architectural plan and guidelines, Dobong District will use them to establish the maintenance plan.
Meanwhile, beyond lot 608 in Chang-dong, redevelopment projects are proceeding one after another in Dobong District. Banghak District 3 completed maintenance zone designation last year, and Ssangmun District 3 is preparing to establish an implementation plan after forming an association. Public redevelopment around lot 470 in Chang-dong and fast-track integrated planning redevelopment around lot 81 in Ssangmun-dong and around lots 641 and 638 in Banghak-dong are also underway.
The industry cites Seoul City's northeastern development policy as the reason Dobong District's redevelopment has recently accelerated. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is pushing projects including the creation of a new economic hub in Chang-dong and Sanggye, construction of Seoul Arena, and development of the Chang-dong Station integrated transfer center. A maintenance industry official said, "In the past, redevelopment in northeastern Seoul, including Nowon, Dobong and Gangbuk, drew relatively less attention than projects in Gangnam or along the Han River, but recently the atmosphere has changed as Seoul City's policy support has concentrated."