Seoul City approves revision of district unit plan for Guro Station and Gonghang-ro… Including a plan to create a shaded pedestrian zone

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 27th that the 16th Urban and Architecture Joint Committee held on the 22nd passed a revision to the 'District Unit Plan Decision for the Guro Station and Sindorim Station Areas'.

The target site is a parcel of land measuring approximately 1.06 million m2 around Guro Station.

The city explained that unlike the Sindorim Station area, where the environment has been improved through large-scale development projects, this area has many old buildings and underdeveloped areas, mainly machine tool shops and semi-industrial areas.

The city plans to designate Guro Machine Tool Mall as a special planning area and introduce industrial functions and industrial support functions.

The plan is to develop it into an industrial support base linked to surrounding industrial bases by introducing smart industry-related facilities, business facilities, and small manufacturing support facilities while maintaining the existing distribution function.

In the 'Aekyung Site Special Planning Zone' around Guro Station, central functions such as sales, business, and tourist accommodation will be strengthened to revitalize the area around the station.

Roads for urban planning facilities that have been abolished due to long-term non-execution are managed according to usage status and required functions.

Areas where road widening is required are managed as roadway-type and sidewalk-type front open spaces, and sections where both pedestrian and vehicle traffic are required are planned as mixed pedestrian-vehicle passageways.

The committee also approved a revised plan to change the Gonghang-ro district unit plan.

This area, formed along Gonghang-daero in the areas of Deungchon-dong, Yeomchang-dong, and Gonghang-dong, is a major transportation axis connecting Yeouido and Gimpo Airport, and is equipped with commercial and business functions that support subway lines 5 and 9 stations and hinterland residential areas.

It is said that as surrounding conditions such as the Magok Urban Development Project, Gangseo Miracle Medi Special Zone, and Daejang Hongdae Line have changed significantly, the need for reorganization of the Gonghang-ro district unit plan has also increased.

The city will improve connectivity between Gonghang-ro and surrounding areas while also reorganizing regulations on building use.

Previously, non-residential use ratios were applied separately to commercial and residential areas and restrictions were placed on apartment complexes, but it was decided to lift these restrictions.

The city emphasized that this redevelopment of Guro Station and Gonghang-ro reflects the plan to create a ‘shade pedestrian zone’.

The plan is to create a continuous shade environment by expanding trees, landscaping, and shading facilities around sections where buildings or tree shade is lacking, and around intersections and subway entrances.

Kim Chang-gyu, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Urban Space Division, said, "Through this reorganization, we will improve the vitality of the area by reorganizing regulations to suit changes in local conditions and improving the pedestrian environment, including shade pedestrian rights."