Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, Korea – Geumcheon District announced on Thursday that it has completed a survey conducted since last October to gather diverse opinions on the full-scale development plan for the air force base site in Dok-san-dong.
The approximately 125,000 square meter air force base site in Dok-san-dong has been located in the heart of Geumcheon-gu since the 1940s, severing the living area of Dok-san-dong for a long time. With the site being selected as a pilot project for the spatial innovation zone in July last year, the development is expected to accelerate.
In line with the full-scale development plan, the district has been making efforts to ensure that a wide range of opinions from all walks of life are reflected in the development concept. The district conducted a survey of the general public from October to December last year, in addition to holding on-site resident briefings and meetings with relevant experts and companies.
More than 1,500 people participated in the survey, which consisted of 19 questions asking about the desired urban form after the redevelopment of the air force base, the introduction of facilities for creating a compact city with jobs, housing, and leisure, and the types of necessary public facilities.
The survey results showed that the majority of respondents (90%) agreed with the basic plan to build a compact base and realize a compact city with jobs, housing, and leisure, and that they wanted rapid development.
Regarding the area of the compact base, over half of the respondents (59%, including other opinions) responded that it was appropriate or that it should be developed with facilities necessary for the region.
In addition, regarding the compact city that allows people to enjoy work, residence, and leisure at the same time, the demand for leisure facilities was the highest among residents (58%), and the necessary public facilities included parks, green spaces, educational facilities, and public sports facilities.
In terms of the industries to be attracted for job creation and regional economic revitalization, advanced information and communication technology (37%) and the medical industry (23%) were the most preferred.
A district official said, "The redevelopment of the Dok-san-dong air force base site is a long-cherished wish of Geumcheon-gu residents, and the opinions collected this time will be actively reviewed and reflected in the spatial restructuring plan."
Meanwhile, the district has been discussing the full relocation of the air force base since 2005, recognizing the need to develop the site that hinders regional development and inconveniences residents' lives.
In 2021, after listening to the opinions of residents and having a meeting with the Vice Minister of National Defense, the district decided to significantly reduce the base within the current site and develop the remaining land.
In January 2023, with the introduction of the new urban planning system, the spatial innovation zone, the district held dozens of working-level meetings with relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, Seoul Metropolitan Government, and the Ministry of National Defense. Finally, in July 2024, the site was selected as a pilot project for the spatial innovation zone, accelerating development.
Geumcheon District Mayor Yu Seong-hun said, "I would like to thank those who participated in the survey for their contribution to the effective development of the air force base site," and added, "We will continue to communicate with residents through various methods throughout the development process to realize a compact city with jobs, housing, and leisure where residents can live more comfortably and conveniently."
For more information, please contact the Urban Planning Division of Geumcheon District Office (02-2627-2082).
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