Gyeonggi Province accelerates support for remodeling of aging apartment complexes...targeting 4,144 complexes

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province is establishing advisory groups and support centers to provide systematic support from the initial stages to implementation of remodeling projects for aging apartment complexes over 15 years old.

The province announced that the 'Ordinance on Vitalization and Support for Apartment Complex Remodeling in Gyeonggi Province' will be promulgated and take effect on the 8th. The ordinance was approved at the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly plenary session on the 18th of last month.

The province recognized the necessity of countermeasures against accelerating deterioration of apartment complexes where over 70% of residents (3 million out of 4.3 million households) live, and prepared this ordinance through preparation processes including expert consultation, coordination with related agencies, and listening to resident opinions in accordance with Governor Lee Jae-myung's campaign pledges.

The ordinance encompasses composition and operation of an advisory group for supporting aged apartment complex remodeling, establishment of a remodeling support center, and support for safety diagnosis and safety review costs, with its main content being phased support of projects through public assistance from initial project preparation to implementation of remodeling.

Under the ordinance, the governor may establish the 'Gyeonggi Province Apartment Complex Remodeling Advisory Group,' which will conduct remodeling system improvements and policy technology development, selection of remodeling support target complexes, and on-site consulting support. The advisory group composition is centered on provincial assembly members and experts in related fields such as architecture, finance, and structure related to remodeling to enable effective roles.

In addition, the 'Gyeonggi Province Apartment Complex Remodeling Support Center' will be established to provide comprehensive project support through collaboration with city and county support centers, expert training, and research and development of support policies through construction of a remodeling database.

For subjects requiring public support while implementing remodeling projects, public assistance has been made available for project implementation including initial consulting services, union establishment support, safety diagnosis and safety reviews.

The remodeling target is apartment complexes over 15 years after obtaining use approval, with 4,144 complexes (1.58 million households) out of 6,665 apartment complexes (3 million households) in the province expected to be eligible for support when implementing remodeling projects.

Based on this ordinance, the province plans to implement a 'remodeling consulting pilot project' next year. To assist resident decision-making in the early stages of remodeling projects and prevent project stagnation and disputes, the province plans to identify complex conditions and provide feasibility analysis and individual estimated cost-sharing.

Once the fiscal 2021 budget is secured, the pilot project will begin with public recruitment and announcement in January next year, with plans to select 2 applicant complexes with excellent feasibility in terms of business will and feasibility. Through consulting services, the province plans to present optimal remodeling methods such as vertical, horizontal, and customized approaches and analyze feasibility.

Lee Jong-gu, Director of Urban Regeneration Division at Gyeonggi Province, said "The enactment of the remodeling support ordinance has established a support foundation for improving the residential environment of apartment complex residents facing accelerating deterioration," adding "The consulting pilot project, the first to be implemented after the ordinance's enactment, is expected to allow Gyeonggi Province to present the direction of remodeling models."