On September 10, 2025, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the 15th Urban Architecture Joint Committee had approved a modification to the district unit plan decision for the Hwayang 2 District.
The area in question includes the region around Konkuk University Station, which has high accessibility to public transportation. Nearby are Konkuk University, a university hospital, and large stores, with small business areas focused on the dining and fashion accessories sectors forming in the alleys.
This change responds to the alterations in the surrounding environment since the 2011 district unit plan reorganization. Key changes include easing the standards for parking lot installations, abolishing the maximum development scale and joint development designations, and eliminating the plot division plans. Through these changes, the Seoul Metropolitan Government aims to revitalize business districts around universities.
A limited-area zone for easing the parking lot installation standards has been newly established in aging, small lots. Previously, when constructing new buildings, the installation of parking lots reduced the area for lower-level shops, constraining development. Particularly, many narrow alleys in the dense retail area on the west side of Neungdong-ro lacked parking facilities, necessitating improvements.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has entirely abolished the maximum development scale, joint development designations, and plot division plans. Instead, they have introduced permissible floor-area-ratio (FAR) incentives to encourage more liberal development. Incentive items include six categories: joint development, recommended use for all floors, recommended use for lower floors, frontage public space, pocket public space, and building form, allowing a maximum FAR of up to 360%.
Improvements to the pedestrian environment are also included. Through the formation guidelines for frontage public space and building line plans, pedestrian safety and convenience will be enhanced, providing visitors with a pleasant walking area.
Namjoon Cho, head of the Seoul Urban Space Headquarters, stated, “The modification of the district unit plan for the Hwayang 2 District will improve development conditions and invigorate private development, strengthening the competitiveness of the commercial zone around university areas.”