Haengung-dong Community Coexistence Committee Applies for 'Community Coexistence Zone' Designation in Suwon

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] The Haengung-dong Community Coexistence Committee of Suwon Special City received consent from two-thirds or more of landowners, landlords, and tenants, and applied for designation of a 'Community Coexistence Zone' to Suwon City on the 24th.

Suwon City plans to hold a public hearing in November with participation from landowners, landlords, tenants, local residents, and related experts to gather opinions, and will apply for Community Coexistence Zone approval from Gyeonggi Province in December. Gyeonggi Province will make a decision on approval within 30 days following deliberation by the Regional Commercial Committee. If approved, it will be designated as a Community Coexistence Zone for the first time nationwide.

The city is promoting the Community Coexistence Zone designation to prevent gentrification in the Haengung-dong commercial district (centered on Haengridan-gil Street in Jangan and Shinpung-dong). Once designated as a Community Coexistence Zone, rental rates can be stabilized and sustainable commercial districts can be fostered.

Upon designation as a Community Coexistence Zone, benefits include △tax or fee reductions △loans for building reconstruction and major repairs △loans for facility and operating costs △subsidies for surveys and research for district activation, and others.

Restrictions include △compliance with the 'Commercial Building Lease Protection Act' (prohibition of rent increase requests exceeding 5%) △restrictions on gambling and entertainment bar operations △restrictions on franchise company direct outlets and (semi)large-scale retail stores, and others.

Park Young-soon, representative of the Haengung-dong Community Coexistence Committee, said, "It is meaningful to be part of the Community Coexistence Zone designation initiative being promoted for the first time nationwide," and added, "I am grateful to the committee members and Suwon City officials who worked hard to obtain local resident consent for the Haengung-dong Community Coexistence Zone designation." He further stated, "I hope Haengung-dong becomes a model case of commercial district coexistence."